You’ve finished Grade 12. You have a dream. But the tuition fees? They’re standing between you and everything you’ve worked for.
Here’s the good news: The South African government has set up 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities — better known as SETAs — specifically to fund students like you. Through the list of SETA bursaries, you could get your tuition, books, and sometimes even accommodation covered. And the best part? Many of these bursaries are underutilised simply because students don’t know about them.
This guide gives you the complete list of all 21 SETAs, their contact details, and everything you need to apply for a SETA bursary and secure your future.
What Is a SETA Bursary and Why Should You Care?
A SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) is a government body established under the Skills Development Act of 1998. Each SETA is responsible for a specific economic sector in South Africa. Their main job is to make sure that sector has skilled workers — and they do this by funding training, learnerships, and bursaries for students.
The money comes from the Skills Development Levy (SDL), which companies pay to SARS every month. A portion of this levy is allocated to fund bursaries for deserving students. This means there is real, ring-fenced money available to help you study.
Why a SETA Bursary is Worth Pursuing
- It’s not a loan — most SETA bursaries are grants, not repayable debt.
- Coverage is broad — many cover tuition, registration fees, prescribed textbooks, and accommodation.
- Less competition than NSFAS — many students overlook SETA bursaries entirely.
- Linked to employment — some SETAs connect bursary recipients to internship and job placement opportunities.
Pro Tip: You can apply for a SETA bursary AND NSFAS at the same time. They are separate funding streams and applying for one does not disqualify you from the other.
Who Can Apply for a SETA Bursary?
The eligibility requirements vary slightly by SETA, but in general, you may qualify if you:
- Are a South African citizen with a valid ID.
- Are a Grade 12 learner (matric student) or have already passed matric.
- Are currently enrolled or intend to enrol at a registered South African college or university.
- Are studying (or plan to study) in a field relevant to the SETA’s sector.
- Come from a financially disadvantaged background (most SETAs use means testing).
- Have a good academic record — typically 50-60% average or higher.
Some SETAs also offer bursaries to working adults wanting to upgrade their qualifications. Parents, if your child is heading to university, check the SETA for the industry they want to enter.
The Complete List of All 21 SETAs and Their Contact Details
1. AGRISETA — Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Farming, horticulture, forestry, fishing, nature conservation
Website: www.agriseta.co.za
Email: info@agriseta.co.za
Tel: 012 301 5600
Address: Eco Glades 2 Office Park, 420 Witch-Hazel Ave, Centurion, 0157
✅ Best for: Agriculture, Environmental Management, Forestry, Nature Conservation
2. BANKSETA — Banking Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Retail banking, investment banking, financial services
Website: www.bankseta.org.za
Email: info@bankseta.org.za
Tel: 011 805 9661
Address: 1 Woburn Place, Illovo, Sandton, 2196
✅ Best for: Banking, Finance, Economics, Accounting
3. CATHSSETA — Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport SETA
Sectors: Hotels, restaurants, sport, arts, culture, and tourism
Website: www.cathsseta.org.za
Email: info@cathsseta.org.za
Tel: 011 217 0600
Address: Thornhill Office Park, Building 22, 94 Bekker Road, Midrand, 1685
✅ Best for: Hospitality Management, Tourism, Culinary Arts, Sports Management
4. CETA — Construction Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Building, civil engineering, construction, plumbing, electrical installation
Website: www.ceta.org.za
Email: info@ceta.org.za
Tel: 011 265 5900
Address: Sunnyside Office Park, Building A, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, 2193
✅ Best for: Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Construction Management
5. CHIETA — Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Petroleum, paint, explosives, fertilisers, plastics, pharmaceutical manufacturing
Website: www.chieta.org.za
Email: chieta@chieta.org.za
Tel: 011 621 9840
Address: 6 Rand Central Office Park, 69 Concorde Road West, Bedfordview, 2007
✅ Best for: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Petroleum Studies
6. CTFL SETA — Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather SETA
Sectors: Garment manufacturing, textile production, footwear, leather goods
Website: www.ctflseta.org.za
Email: info@ctflseta.org.za
Tel: 021 552 2544
Address: Block A, Northgate Estate, Century City Drive, Cape Town, 7441
✅ Best for: Fashion Design, Textile Technology, Industrial Engineering
7. ESETA — Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Electricity, gas, water, renewables
Website: www.eseta.org.za
Email: info@eseta.org.za
Tel: 011 689 5300
Address: Block 3, Woodlands Office Park, 139 Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191
✅ Best for: Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Environmental Science, Water Management
8. ETDP SETA — Education, Training and Development Practices SETA
Sectors: Schools, early childhood development, adult education, higher education training
🌐 Website: www.etdpseta.org.za
✉ Email: etdpseta@etdpseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 628 5000
📍 Address: Corner of 7th Street & Hood Avenue, Randburg, 2125
✅ Best for: Education (B.Ed.), Early Childhood Development, Educational Psychology
9. FASSET — Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Accounting firms, financial advisory, tax practitioners, non-profit finance
🌐 Website: www.fasset.org.za
✉ Email: fasset@fasset.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 476 8570
📍 Address: Riviera Road Office Park, Building 3, 6-10 Riviera Road, Killarney, 2193
✅ Best for: Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Financial Management (CA, CFA, CIMA pathways)
10. FOODBEV SETA — Food and Beverages Manufacturing Industry SETA
Sectors: Food processing, beverages, tobacco, animal feeds
🌐 Website: www.foodbev.co.za
✉ Email: info@foodbev.co.za
📞 Tel: 011 253 7300
📍 Address: 13 Autumn Street, Rivonia, Sandton, 2128
✅ Best for: Food Technology, Biotechnology, Nutrition, Chemical Engineering
11. HWSETA — Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Hospitals, clinics, social work, community development, pharmaceutical
🌐 Website: www.hwseta.org.za
✉ Email: hwseta@hwseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 607 6900
📍 Address: 17 Bradford Road, Bedfordview, 2007
✅ Best for: Nursing, Social Work, Community Development, Public Health, Psychology
12. INSETA — Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Short-term insurance, long-term insurance, reinsurance, insurance broking
🌐 Website: www.inseta.org.za
✉ Email: inseta@inseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 359 4300
📍 Address: Ground Floor, Pillar Court, Isle of Houghton, Houghton, 2198
✅ Best for: Risk Management, Insurance, Financial Planning, Actuarial Science
13. LGSETA — Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Municipalities, district councils, local government entities
🌐 Website: www.lgseta.org.za
✉ Email: info@lgseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 456 8579
📍 Address: Ground Floor, 37 Nicholson Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002
✅ Best for: Public Administration, Urban Planning, Municipal Management, Law
14. MAPPP SETA — Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing and Packaging SETA
Sectors: Print media, advertising agencies, packaging, broadcast
🌐 Website: www.mappp-seta.co.za
✉ Email: info@mappp-seta.co.za
📞 Tel: 011 234 2311
📍 Address: 3rd Floor, 24 Fricker Road, Illovo Boulevard, Johannesburg, 2196
✅ Best for: Journalism, Media Studies, Graphic Design, Marketing, Packaging Technology
15. MERSETA — Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA
Sectors: Metal, automotive, tyre manufacturing, motor retail
🌐 Website: www.merseta.org.za
✉ Email: info@merseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 484 9300
📍 Address: 97 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg, 2198
✅ Best for: Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Metallurgy, Industrial Engineering
16. MQA — Mining Qualifications Authority
Sectors: Gold, platinum, coal, diamond, mineral processing
🌐 Website: www.mqa.org.za
✉ Email: info@mqa.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 547 2600
📍 Address: 65 Ntemi Piliso Street, City & Suburban, Johannesburg, 2001
✅ Best for: Mining Engineering, Geology, Metallurgy, Environmental Management
17. PSETA — Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Government departments, state entities, public service
🌐 Website: www.pseta.gov.za
✉ Email: pseta@pseta.gov.za
📞 Tel: 012 423 5700
📍 Address: Atterbury House, 153 Corner Atterbury & De Havilland Crescent, Menlyn, Pretoria, 0081
✅ Best for: Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Government Studies
18. SASSETA — Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: South African Police Service, private security, correctional services, fire services
🌐 Website: www.sasseta.org.za
✉ Email: info@sasseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 227 0700
📍 Address: Transnet Building, 4th Floor, Block A, 56 Eloff Street, Johannesburg, 2001
✅ Best for: Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law, Security Management
19. SERVICES SETA — Services Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Real estate, cleaning, personal care, laundry, labour hiring
🌐 Website: www.serviceseta.org.za
✉ Email: info@serviceseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 276 9600
📍 Address: Services SETA House, 158 Jan Smuts Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
✅ Best for: Real Estate, Business Management, Human Resources, Labour Relations
20. TETA — Transport Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Road transport, rail, aviation, maritime, freight
🌐 Website: www.teta.org.za
✉ Email: info@teta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 551 7600
📍 Address: Linton House, 1st Floor, 39 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, 2076
✅ Best for: Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Aviation, Transport Management
21. W&RSETA — Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority
Sectors: Supermarkets, wholesalers, retailers, motor dealerships
🌐 Website: www.wrseta.org.za
✉ Email: info@wrseta.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 217 0700
📍 Address: Block A & B, Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Sandton, 2196
✅ Best for: Retail Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Marketing
How to Apply for a SETA Bursary: Step-by-Step
Now that you have the full list of SETA bursaries, here’s how to actually apply for a SETA bursary and maximise your chances of success.
Step 1: Identify the Right SETA
Match the SETA to the industry you want to enter, not your current location or school. For example, if you want to study nursing, contact HWSETA. If you want to study accounting, contact FASSET.
Step 2: Visit the SETA’s Official Website
Go directly to the official website listed above. Look for the “Bursaries” or “Skills Development” tab. Download the application form and bursary guide.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Most SETAs will require the following:
•Certified copy of your South African ID
•Certified copy of your matric certificate (or Grade 11 results if still in school)
•Latest academic transcripts (for current students)
•Proof of admission/acceptance from your institution
•Proof of household income (parents’ payslips or affidavit)
A motivation letter — this is critical; explain your passion and career goals clearly
•Bank account details (sometimes a parent’s account for school leavers)
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
Most SETA bursary applications open in October and close in January. Some close even earlier. Set calendar reminders. Late applications are almost never accepted.
Step 5: Follow Up
After submitting, wait 4-8 weeks and then follow up by email or phone. Keep a record of your application reference number.
Tips to Strengthen Your SETA Bursary Application
•Apply to multiple SETAs — if your field of study overlaps with more than one sector, apply to all relevant SETAs.
•Write a compelling motivation letter — be specific about why you chose this field and what you want to achieve professionally.
•Ensure all documents are certified — uncertified copies are an automatic disqualification at most SETAs.
•Check for SETA learnerships too — some SETAs offer learnerships in addition to bursaries, which include a monthly stipend.
•Use school counsellors — your school’s career guidance officer may already have bursary application kits from certain SETAs.
Your Future Starts With One Application
The list of SETA bursaries represents one of the most underused funding resources in South Africa. While many students focus exclusively on NSFAS, thousands of rands in SETA funding go unclaimed every year — simply because students don’t know where to look.
Match your dream career to the right SETA. Download the form. Prepare your documents. Write that motivation letter with everything you have.
Suggested Internal/External Links:
- NSFAS Application Portal — Cross-link to NSFAS guide for students seeking additional funding.
- DHET Bursary Portal — Link to the Dept. of Higher Education’s bursary database for comprehensive funding discovery.
- How to Write a Bursary Motivation Letter — Internal link to a guide on crafting strong motivation letters for bursary applications.
Always verify contact details on official SETA websites before applying, as information may change. Last updated 2024.
