Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi has announced a salary adjustment for public servants, effective from 1 April 2026, as part of a broader multi-year wage agreement.
The increase applies to employees on salary levels 1 to 12, as well as those covered under Occupation Specific Dispensations (OSDs), and forms part of the 2026/27 financial year framework.
Above-inflation adjustment for public servants
The Department of Public Service and Administration confirmed that the adjustment amounts to a 4% increase, exceeding the projected inflation rate of 3.4% for the period, as forecast by the National Treasury.
This is due to a “floor” mechanism built into the agreement, which ensures that increases do not fall below a set level even when inflation projections are lower.
“This is not merely an administrative update; it is a deliberate act of support for the men and women who serve the citizens of South Africa every day,” Buthelezi said.
The wage increase gives effect to Resolution 1 of 2025, adopted by the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), which outlines a structured approach to public service wages over several years.
Officials said the agreement is intended to balance fiscal pressures with the need to support workers amid rising living costs.
The adjustment will also be pensionable, meaning it will count toward retirement benefits for qualifying employees.
Who is included and excluded
The directive applies to employees appointed under the Public Service Act of 1994, but excludes certain groups whose salary adjustments are handled separately.
These include:
- Senior Management Service (salary levels 13 to 16)
- Sector-specific personnel such as police, educators, defence force members and correctional services staff
- Employees of the National Prosecuting Authority
Their increases are expected to be addressed through separate processes.
The circular also includes several related measures affecting public service remuneration:
- Pay progression for qualifying employees will take effect from 1 July 2026
- Intern stipends must be aligned with the new salary scales
- Casual worker rates will be recalculated using updated formulas
- Revised sessional rates will also apply to healthcare and social service professionals
