SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Social Security Administrator 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112285  Occupational Certificate: Social Security Administrator 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - HWSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  32  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 04170/20  2020-02-26  2025-02-26 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-02-26   2029-02-26  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to be a Social Security Administrator. A Social Security Administrator assesses social welfare claims and entitlements under government legislation; identifies possible fraud and suspected breaches of legislation; and carries out administrative duties, functions, processes and procedures.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Carry out social security administrative operations.

    Rationale:
    The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states that everyone has the right to have access to social security if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents to receive appropriate social assistance. South African legislation provides for the establishment of various bodies for the administration and payment of social security, which may be contributory or non-contributory; and the provision of related services.

    It is essential to implement training and development of social security administrators to provide the required services as stipulated in the social security legislation. The qualification has a limited scope of activities, and it has resulted in a minimum of 32 Credits for qualified learners to meet legislative requirements. It aims to provide the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies for social security administrators, who then will be able to perform professionally and effectively; and deliver service excellence.

    It is essential to train and develop social security administrators to provide for the requirements of the legislation. This qualification aims to provide the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies for social security administrators, who then will be able to deliver excellent service professionally and effectively. The qualification resulted in a maximum of 32 credits due to the limited scope of activities of the qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    NQF Level 4 qualification with communication and mathematical literacy. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge Modules, Practical Skill Modules and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 411101001-KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 411101001-KM-02, Social, Labour, Public Service and Finance Law (Fundamental),

    Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 411101001-KM-03, Business Administration (Fundamental), Level 4, 4 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 16.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 411101001-PM-01, Carry out Social Security Administrative Operations, Level 4, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 8

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 411101001-WM-01, Administrator Operations, Level 4, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 8. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Complete social security applications.
    2. Capture social security applications on the system.
    3. Carry out quality control on social security applications.
    4. Complete administrative functions and duties. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Screen applications per organisational requirements.
  • Complete effective interviews with applicants.
  • Complete means tests following organisational requirements.
  • Complete documentation in line with organisational requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Enter, process and validate the required data is on the information management system, following organisational requirements.
  • Complete documentation associated with capturing of applications following organisational requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Check completeness of application forms and all supporting documents following organisational requirements.
  • Cross-check if data on the information management system is against file information/ documentation following organisational requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Complete document administration in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • Complete management reporting requirements in accordance with organisational requirements.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    The relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner conducts an external integrated summative assessment for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Many countries have well-established social security/ welfare programmes and occupational/vocational training programmes, but no occupational programmes in social/welfare administration.

    However, many countries extensively develop occupational programmes in public administration/government.

    Australia:
    The national qualification PSP40116 - Certificate IV in Government, is registered on the Australian Qualification Framework and is offered by various institutions which include but is not limited to the following accredited training institutions; Churchill Education, Warner Institute, Australian Forensic Services Pty Ltd, Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute.

    This certificate includes units of competency in:
  • Uphold the values and principles of public service.
  • Conduct initial claim assessments.
  • Process claims.
  • Apply government processes.
  • Assess applications for grants.
  • Subsidies and rebates.
  • Use public sector financial processes.
  • Make claim determinations.
  • Conduct government service delivery interviews.
  • Administer delivery of financial and other benefits.
  • Deliver and monitor service to clients.
  • Contribute to the health and safety of self and others.
  • Maintain workplace safety.
  • Manage personal work priorities and professional development.
  • Support employee and industrial relations procedures.
  • Use resources to achieve work unit goals.
  • Develop and implement work.
  • Deal with conflict.
  • Facilitate participation in government service delivery.
  • Assist self-management of government service offers.
  • Manage information.

    These are all components of the curriculum of this qualification.

    United Kingdom:
    The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and City and Guilds have qualifications in Public Services Operational Delivery, which includes units in:
  • Working in operational delivery.
  • Principles of equality and diversity in operational delivery.
  • Resolving customer service problems in operational delivery.
  • Verify the calculation/ entitlement.
  • Technical advice in operational delivery cases.
  • Customer service in partnership.
  • Operational delivery interviews.
  • Operational delivery visits.

    Again, these are all components of the curriculum of this qualification:

    Conclusion:
    Based on the comparison above of the qualifications available and competencies required in government and public service administration in Australia and the United Kingdom, the conclusion is that that the Occupational Certificate: Social Security Administrator can be considered to meet international practice standards. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Qualifying learners will be in a specific work context. This qualification provides horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Insurance Claims Administrator (Insurance Claims Assessor), Level 04.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Contact Centre Manager, Level 05. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    To qualify for the external summative assessment, learners must have a copy of a completed and signed Statement of Work Experience as well as proof of successful completion of all the Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules, and the Foundational Learning Competence
    Foundational learning competence is a pre-requisite for the awarding this qualification.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    None.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is:
  • 411101001: Social Security Administrator.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
    This occupation is not a trade. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.