Occupational Qualification: Social Auxiliary Worker
(NQF Level 5, SAQA ID 98890)
Empowering Your Future in Social Services
Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives and supporting communities? Enrol in the Social Auxiliary Worker Occupational Qualification (NQF Level 5, SAQA ID 98890) and kickstart a rewarding career in the dynamic field of social services.
Programme Overview
This qualification equips students with essential knowledge and practical skills to assist professional social workers in delivering much-needed services to individuals, families, groups, and communities. Graduates are trained to provide support in areas such as counselling, community development, and social upliftment initiatives.
A qualified learner will be able to:
- Provide basic counseling and support services to individuals and families with socio-economic challenges
- Facilitate non-therapeutic (educational and support groups) groups towards the accomplishments of the developmental goals of the group
- Facilitate participatory development in communities to address their common socio-economic needs and to promote social justice
- Collect and collate data to inform social services intervention
Studying this course may
be a good option if you want to:
Carry out basic assessments of communities, household groups, and individuals;
Provide basic health education and referrals for a wide range of services; and
Support and assist in navigating the health and social services system.
DURATION : 13 MONTHS
The purpose of the qualification is to equip qualifying learners with the following
- Knowledge and understanding of the South African context within which social services function and are delivered.
- Understanding of social development in terms of the needs, policies and the role of the social auxiliary worker.
- Basic knowledge of human behaviour, relationship systems and social issues and the ability to address social needs using appropriate social auxiliary work methods and techniques.
- The skills to work as a team member and as a provider of support services to the social work team.
“A social auxiliary worker works under the guidance and control of the social worker and as a supporting service to a social worker to achieve the aims of social work”. This implies that social auxiliary workers are assistants to social workers, providing support services and working under the supervision of social workers. Social auxiliary work complements and supports social work in all focus areas with services to individuals, families, groups and communities.
This occupation assists in the provisioning of social services and support to individuals, families, groups and communities with regards to a full range of social services and related social welfare matters. These services include but are not limited to services and support relating to:
- Emotional trauma (Life Skills development)
- Emotional Stress
- financial stress
- Recreational needs
- Social needs and matters relating to housing. (Developmental approach)
A qualified learner will be able to
- Provide basic counseling and support services to individuals and families with socio-economic challenges
- Facilitate non-therapeutic (educational and support groups) groups towards the accomplishments of the developmental goals of the group
- Facilitate participatory development in communities to address their common socio-economic needs and to promote social justice
- Collect and collate data to inform social services intervention
This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:
Knowledge Modules
- Social Auxiliary Work and Social Welfare Services In The South African Context, at NQF Level 5, 28 Credits.
- Social work – Methods and principles, at NQF Level 5, 9 Credits.
- Communication and Life Skills in Social Auxiliary Work, at NQF Level 5, 13 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 50
Work Experience Modules
- Exposure to the client counselling and referral processes, at NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
- Exposure to the facilitation of non-therapeutic group processes, at NQF Level 5, 14 Credits.
- Exposure to community development processes, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
- Exposure to the social work administration processes, at NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 46.
Practical Skill Modules
- Render basic counselling and support. Support the counselling processes, at NQF Level 5, 7 Credits.
- Support the processes to intervene with individuals and families, at NQF Level 5, 4 Credits.
- Facilitate educational, life skills and support group programs, at NQF Level 5, 7 Credits.
- Assist in implementation of community development process, at NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
- Assist with obtaining and keeping data that inform social services intervention strategies, at NQF Level 47 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 33.
This qualification also requires the following:
This qualification also requires the following:
Work Experience Modules
- Exposure to the client counselling and referral processes, at NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
- Exposure to the facilitation of non-therapeutic group processes, at NQF Level 5, 14 Credits.
- Exposure to community development processes, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
- Exposure to the social work administration processes, at NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 46.
Job Opportunities
- Social Auxiliary Worker in government departments (e.g., Department of Social Development)
- Support roles in NGOs, community organisations, and welfare agencies
- Health and education sector support positions
- Assisting in rehabilitation centres, youth and child care facilities
- Opportunities in private social work practices
Salary Range
Qualified Social Auxiliary Workers in South Africa typically earn between R5,000 and R12,000 per month, depending on experience, employer, and location. With further experience and additional training, salary prospects may improve significantly.
Why Choose This Qualification?
- Nationally recognised and accredited programme
- Hands-on practical training with real-world impact
- Pathway for career progression and further study in social work
- Opportunity to make a measurable difference in vulnerable communities
Take the next step in building a purposeful career. Apply now for the Social Auxiliary Worker NQF Level 5 qualification and join a network of dedicated professionals transforming lives across South Africa!
2026/27 FEES STRUCTURE
Duration 13 months EISA Exams to be written mid August
| FULL TIME AND PART TIME | |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (Non-refundable) | R600 |
| Admission fee (Non – Refundable) Include , A pair of Uniform, Name Tag Student card, and Modules for the first Se-mister. |
R2400 |
| Monthly R1300 x 13 Includes Textbooks (Modules) for the second and Third semester |
R16900 |
| Practical fee Includes SAW & CYC – Registration with the council both as student and Practitioner |
R2000 |
| Total |
R21200 |
| Cash fee |
R19080 |
Note : Each Learner must bring the following.
2 ID Photos
2 reams of Paper (500 Sheet each)
Arch Liver File for POE Building
ORIENTATION AND COMMENCENT OF CLASSES.
| Braamfontein Campus | Pretoria Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation day New Students | ||
| Social Auxiliary Worker | 20/07/2026 | 20/07/2026 |
| Classes Commence Continuing Students | ||
| Social Auxiliary Worker | 21/07/2026 | 21/07/2026 |
STUDY BY CORRESPONDENCE OR ONLINE
Please note that There are set dates for QCTO EISA exams per course and every student must present himself or herself to write the EISA exams.
Upon completion of this course, students will be awarded an Occupational Certificate: Social Auxiliary Worker NQF Level 5
Duration 13 months
| CORRESPONDENCE FEES/ONLINE | ||
|---|---|---|
| PAYMENT PLAN | ||
| Registration Fee (Non-refundable) | R600 | R600 |
| Admission fee (Non – Refundable) Include ,books (Modules) for the first Se-mister. |
R1950 | R1950 |
| Payable in 12 monthly instalments includes modules for the second and third semesters | R1150 x 13 | R14950 |
| Practical fee Includes SAW & CYC – Registration with the council both as student and Practitioner | R2000 | |
| Total | R19500 | |
| Cash fee | R17550 |