How to Complete CAO 2027 Online Application

The Central Application Office (CAO) has officially opened the 2027 university application window. All qualified and interested students who wish to study in South Africa are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid missing important deadlines.

If you are applying for the first time in 2027, it is essential to understand the correct application process, required documents, important dates, and payment procedures. Many applications are delayed or rejected simply because applicants fail to follow the proper steps.

This comprehensive guide is designed to help both first-time and returning applicants successfully complete the CAO 2027 online application form. You will learn how to register, select your preferred institutions and programmes, upload supporting documents, pay the application fee, and track your application status.

What Is CAO?

The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a centralized platform that allows students to apply to a wide range of public and private universities and colleges in South Africa, including DUT, MUT, UKZN, UniZulu, and several private institutions.

It simplifies the application process for both students and institutions by allowing applicants to submit a single application and apply to multiple universities or colleges simultaneously. This makes the process more efficient, cost-effective, and convenient.

CAO Application Date 2027

The CAO application period for the 2027 academic year in South Africa is open from March 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026. This applies to all applicants who wish to apply to any of the four universities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

What Are The Requirements?

The requirements for applying through CAO to your preferred university or college for 2024 admissions are as follows.

Certified Copy of ID and Birth certificate
Final Grade 11 Report (if you are in Grade 12) OR
Highest qualification achieved
Copy of study/residence permit (if you are a non-South-African applicant)
Proof of Payment of Application Fee
June Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it, if you are currently in Grade 12)
September/Trials Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it, if you are currently in Grade 12)
Any other document requested by the institution, eg, Academic Record, etc.

CAO Application Fees for 2027

Applying to universities through the Central Applications Office (CAO) involves an application fee. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

Fee Amounts:

South African Applicants:
- On-time Application: R250
- Late Application: R470
International Applicants:
- On-time Application: R300
- Late Application: R580

Payment Methods:

Online: You can pay via credit card during the online application process at www.cao.ac.za.
EasyPay: Visit any EasyPay outlet (Shoprite, Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay, etc.) and use your unique EasyPay number as a reference.

How to Apply via CAO for 2027

There are two basic ways to apply: either online at www.cao.ac.za or by filling out a hard copy application form.

TO COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION FOR CAO 2027

Visit the official website @ cao.ac.za and select “Apply.”
After reading the details, press “Continue with Application.“
Enter your ID number and click on ‘Submit.’
Click ‘Continue with Application‘ at the bottom of the page after you have scrolled there.
Start by entering ALL of the required information.
After you have completed all the required fields, click “Next.” “Continue with Online Application” should be clicked.
You’ll see your CAO number, password, and EasyPay number in a pop-up window. Read the guidelines.
“Continue with Online Application” should be clicked.
After carefully reading the instructions and submitting ALL necessary information, click “Next.”
Click “Next” after filling out the “Next of Kin” information.
Once the school’s name is displayed in a box, you must enter the years that you first enrolled there and when you graduated from it before clicking “Search.”
Choose “Next.”
NOW THAT YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN SENT, CLICK THE BUTTON WHEN “Process My Application” IS VISIBLE.
When your submission is successful, a notification will appear on your screen.
Now that you can pay online and upload your supporting documentation.
Pay using EasyPay.

COMPLETE A HARD-COPY APPLICATION FORM FOR

This is the least efficient option. Hardcopy applications may take up to 2-3 weeks to process after the CAO receives them, with the administration fee

There are so many ways to obtain the application form for CAO

Application Forms are posted to your school. Find out from your principal and LO teacher. This application material should have reached your school by the end of March.
Handbooks and Application Forms are also available from the four universities in KZN and the DBE District Offices.
Some Libraries also have Handbooks and Application Forms.

You may also request an application form by:

Contacting the CAO Call Centre at 031 268 4444 or 086 086 0226
Sending an email to formrequestcao@cao.ac.za
Visiting the CAO office at Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street, Cato Manor

SEND YOUR FORMS TO CAO

Any of these methods must be used to submit your fully completed application form to CAO.

Email: formsreceivedcao@cao.ac.za
Postal: Private Bag X06, Dalbridge, 4014
Hand delivering it to CAO, Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street (previously Cato Manor Road), Durban

Upload Supporting Documents

Prospective applicants who wish to apply manually must still go to the CAO’s official website to complete the online application. The manual application is not entirely self-contained. After submitting your forms, you must upload all supporting online documents by following the steps.:

Go to the Central Applications Office website, www.cao.ac.za, and log in with your CAO or ID number
Click on the ‘Upload My Document icon on the Home Page.
Read the instructions to know what you need ‘to log in to upload your documents’.
Once logged in, follow the steps provided to upload your documents and enter your related examination results, where required.
Review and make sure that you have uploaded the correct documents and entered the correct results, where required.
Once you are ready to submit, click the ‘Submit My Documents’ icon.

Contact CAO

Physical Address: Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street (previously Cato Manor Road), Durban
Postal Address: Private Bag X06, Dalbridge, 4014
Email Address: enquiries@cao.ac.za
Telephone Number: 031 268 4444/0860 860 226

For more information about the Central Applications Office, visit the official page

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