Compensation Fund Bursary 2026 Requirements & How to Apply

The Compensation Fund bursary helps people affected by occupational injuries or diseases (or their dependents) to study and re-enter the workforce or gain self-employment skills. 

Applications for past years have closed in March; the 2026 date has not yet been officially released.

About the Bursary

The Compensation Fund is managed by the Department of Employment & Labour (previously “Labour”) under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) scheme. 

The bursary is intended for COID beneficiaries (and their dependents) to enable them to obtain qualifications that allow reintegration into economic activity.

Fields of Study Funded

Eligible fields are many and broad. They include, but are not limited to:

1. Accounting Science, Actuarial Science
2. Various Engineering disciplines (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Mechatronics, etc.)
3. Health & Clinical Sciences (Nursing, Audiology, Physiotherapy, etc.)
4. Information Technology / Computer Science / Data Science / Digital & Graphic Design / Digital Marketing
5. Agriculture, Food & Hospitality / Culinary
6. Environmental Health, Forensic Science, Quality Assurance / Regulatory fields, etc.

Benefits for Recipients

This bursary typically covers:

1. Tuition / registration fees at recognised public institutions (HEI, TVET, CET)
2. Prescribed study materials/books/stationery
3. Monthly stipend to assist living expenses
4. Accommodation, in some cases, if required
5. Renewable annually: the bursary continues for the duration of the qualification, dependent on satisfactory academic performance and availability of funds.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy all of the following:

1. Be a South African citizen.
2. Belong to one of these groups:
   • COID beneficiary (unemployed or pensioned) who has a permanent disablement due to occupational injury/disease.
   • Dependants of COID beneficiaries with permanent disablement OR dependants of fatally injured employees.
3. For dependants: usually aged between 17 and 35 years.
4. Must have been accepted or provisional acceptance at a recognised public post-school institution (TVET College, CET College, or Higher Education Institution).
5. Enrol on a full-time basis, unless you are a person with disability in which case part-time may be permitted under special conditions.
6. Provide necessary documentation: identity document, COID claim/pension number, proof of disability where applicable, proof of acceptance, transcripts, proof of residence, etc.

How to Apply

1. Download the official Compensation Fund External Bursary Application Form.
2. Complete the form fully, attach certified copies of required documents (ID, COID claim number, proof of disability if relevant, proof of acceptance/registration, proof of residence).
3. Submit the application, using one of these methods:
   • Email: [email protected]
   • Hand delivery: Compensation Fund / Department of Employment & Labour offices in Pretoria (Delta Heights / Thabo Sehume & Madiba Street)
   • Postal address: Private Bag x 955, Pretoria, 0001

Required Documents

You will need to include:

1. Certified copy of your South African ID.
2. COID claim number or COID pension number.
3. Proof of acceptance / registration at recognized college or university.
4. Academic transcripts / Matric certificate or equivalent highest qualification.
5. Proof of disability (for Group 1) verified by Health Care Professional / Disability Support Office and other medical certification (WCL or similar).
6. Proof of residence.

Closing Date

For the 2025 academic year, the application deadline was 31 March 2025.

As of now, no official source has published the 2026 closing date. You should monitor the Department of Employment & Labour / Compensation Fund notices.

Contact Details

• Email: [email protected]
• Compensation Fund / Department of Employment & Labour, Pretoria: Head Building, Thabo Sehume & Madiba Street, Delta Heights.
• Postal address: Private Bag x 955, Pretoria, 0001