SAPS Police Training Pays a R5,000 Monthly Stipend Across 5,500 Places
The South African Police Service has advertised 5,500 police trainee places for the 2026/2027 intake, with a R5,000 monthly stipend during training. The official SAPS careers page and government recruitment announcement give a closing date of 13 November 2026.
The vacancy is identified on the eRecruitment portal as STUDENT – TRA26/27. This is a training opportunity for entry into policing, with selection checks and a structured academy programme.
Training and financial support
According to the government announcement, successful recruits with a relevant qualification at NQF Level 6 or higher will undergo six months of academy training. Recruits without such a qualification follow the standard nine-month programme. Applicants should confirm which route applies to their own qualification rather than assuming every tertiary qualification shortens training.
The R5,000 payment is a training stipend. It should not be treated as a promise of a particular salary after training. Before accepting an offer, read the written conditions, training location and reporting arrangements carefully.
Who should check the requirements?
Applicants must be South African citizens with Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification and proficiency in English and at least one other official language. The process includes physical and medical assessment, psychometric and integrity testing, an interview and security checks. The notice also contains criminal-record, firearms, visible-tattoo and previous-dismissal conditions.
A valid driving licence and the qualifications identified in the advert attract preference. These should be described accurately in the application, together with supporting evidence requested by SAPS. Meeting the minimum requirements or attending assessments does not guarantee a place.
There is an age-wording difference between official pages: the announcement describes applicants aged 18 to under 35, while the portal advert says applicants must not be older than 35 at closing. Anyone affected by that boundary should obtain clarification from SAPS before relying on eligibility.
How the application process works
- Start at the official SAPS eRecruitment portal.
- Create or access the applicant profile and complete the account-verification process.
- Check the trainee vacancy, its reference and the deadline displayed to you.
- Complete the requested information and retain the application confirmation provided by the system.
The advert limits each applicant to one application. Keep the contact details in your profile current and check that your submission is complete rather than treating account registration as an application.
Use the current trainee advert
The current record is TRA26/27, with 13 November 2026 listed in the official vacancy data. An older trainee record remains visible with different details, so check the reference before you apply. The portal’s public page displayed a read-only notice during our check; if you cannot proceed after signing in, use the help contacts on the official portal. Submit early rather than waiting for the closing day.
Read the SAPS police-trainee careers page, full vacancy requirements and government recruitment announcement. Applications are free. Do not pay anyone who promises a trainee place or influence over selection.
Reign Gigs is an independent publisher, not the employer.
