Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA)

The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) is one of South Africa’s statutory SETAs, operating under the Department of Higher Education and Training. SASSETA administers the skills development levies that employers in the safety and security sector pay, and directs that money into the training and education the sector needs.

Registered name

Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA)

Type

Sector Education and Training Authority (public entity)

Fields funded

Law, STEM, veterinary science and occupations in high demand

Website

sasseta.org.za

Email

Bursaries@SASSETA.org.za

Phone

011 087 5555

Formed from two SETAs

SASSETA was formed by merging two earlier SETAs: POSLEC SETA, which covered police, private security, legal and correctional services, and DIDTETA, which covered diplomacy, intelligence, defence and trade, according to a provider record checked in August 2026. Its sector today spans the South African Police Service, defence, correctional services, the justice system, legal services and the large private security industry.

Why the sector needs skills

Safety and security work increasingly depends on specialised skills: forensic scientists who analyse evidence, IT specialists who fight cybercrime, lawyers and prosecutors, criminologists, social workers in corrections, and managers in private security. SASSETA funds bursaries as part of its statutory skills development mandate rather than as corporate social investment.

The unemployed learner bursary

SASSETA’s discretionary grant bursary targets unemployed South Africans aged 18 to 35 from households earning no more than R600 000 a year, so both NSFAS-band and missing-middle students qualify. Funded fields include law, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, veterinary science, and occupations on the national list of occupations in high demand, such as IT, forensic science, criminology, security management and social work.

In the 2026 round, full-time university students could receive up to R80 000 a year for tuition, books, accommodation and meals, plus up to R10 000 for an electronic device. TVET students could receive up to R50 000, and distance and part-time learners up to R35 000. The bursary runs for one year and renews for the whole qualification if bursars keep an average of at least 60%. SASSETA does not describe a work-back obligation.

Timing

The 2026 round closed on 30 January 2026 at 23:59. SASSETA publishes its call in December or January, so expect the 2027 call in December 2026.

How to research SASSETA

SASSETA’s website blocked automated reading when BursariesAfrica checked, so open it in a browser in December and download the current form. Applications must be emailed as a single file of no more than 20 MB, so scan documents clearly but compactly.

Law students should also see the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund bursary.