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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Business Administration Services 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
23833  National Certificate: Business Administration Services 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Administration 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
SERVICES - Services Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Office Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  130  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 9999/99  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
This qualification is for any individual who is, or wishes to be, involved in the Administration function in any organization or business in any sector, or field as well as in non-commercial organisations such as clubs and charitable organisations. It contains all the competencies, skills and values required by a learner who wishes to access the National Certificate in Business Administration Services at NQF: Level 3.

The core component contains competencies in Information Handling, Communications, Enterprise/customer service, Technology, Organisation skills, Self-development, Teamwork and Business policies and procedures. The elective component allows the learner to gain specialist knowledge, skills and insight in the areas of Reception, Executive Administration, Financial Services and Banking or in the field in which the learner is employed.

Learners working towards this qualification will find that the acquisition of competence in the unit standards, which make up the qualification, will add value to their work performance. This qualification is intended to enhance the provision of entry-level service within the field of Administration within all sectors.

It will facilitate access to and mobility and progression within education and training for learners who:
  • Were previously disadvantaged or who were unable to complete their schooling and were therefore denied access to Further Education and Training.
  • Have worked in this field for many years, but have no formal qualifications and would like to achieve this through the process of RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) and / or formal study.
  • Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of administration within their respective industries so that they can extend their competency levels.

    The qualification has building blocks that can be developed further in qualifications at a higher level. It contains all the competencies, skills and values required by a learner who wishes to access the National Certificate in Business Administration Services at NQF level 3.
    It also focuses on the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes required to progress further. The intention is:
  • To promote the development of knowledge, skills and values that are required for service excellence within the field of administration.
  • To release the potential of people.
  • To provide opportunities for people to move up the value chain.

    Rationale for the qualification:

    The National Certificate in Business Administration Services: NQF Level 2 is designed to meet the needs of those learners who are already involved, or wish to become involved, in the field of Administration. It is applicable to employed and unemployed learners. It is particularly suited to those learners who are performing secretarial / administrative tasks, in commercial and non-commercial oreganisations across the entire spectrum, but have not had the opportunity to obtain a formal school qualification beyond NQF level 1.

    Administration is an essential field of learning as the competences required by people doing administrative tasks are generic in nature and apply to all businesses in all sectors and to many non-business organisations such as sports and cultural clubs and the like. Administrative tasks and administration are done at various levels depending upon the nature and size of the organization and its management structure. People involved in administration are known by such terms as secretaries, administrative assistants, administrators and clerks depending on the organization in which they are employed. There is therefore an on-going need for highly skilled administration personnel and a need for a well developed learning pathway to cater for administrative personnel at the various levels at which they operate.

    The National Certificate in Business Administration Services at NQF: Level 2 is the first qualification in a learning pathway that starts at NQF level 2 and ends with the National Certificate in Office Administration Level 5. It is planned to develop degrees in Administration at levels 6, 7 and 8 as the final steps in the learning pathway.
    The National Certificate in Generic Business Administration Services at NQF: Level 2 supports the objectives of the NQF in that it gives the learner access to a registered qualification. It will ensure that the quality of education and training in the sub-field is enhanced and of a world-class standard. The qualification will allow learners not only to develop their knowledge and skills in the field of Administration, but will also enable them to benchmark their competence against international standards. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification are assumed to be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF level 1
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 1

    Recognition of prior learning:

    The structure of this Unit Standard based Qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. Learners who are able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification and/or any of its constituent unit standards must receive the appropriate credits. Assessment of Prior Learning must be done by means of Integrated Assessment

    Recognition of prior learning may allow:
  • For accelerated access to further learning at this or higher levels on the NQF
  • Gaining of credits towards a unit standard
  • The obtaining in whole or in part of this qualification 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The unit standard "Demonstrate an understanding of the financial services Business Environment Level 4, 10 credits" is currently under review and cannot be used in its current form.

    In keeping with SAQA requirements, the qualification is made up of unit standards that are classified as Fundamental, Core and Elective for the purpose of this qualification. A minimum of 130 credits is required to complete the qualification. A minimum of 72 of the 120 credits must be at level 2 or above.


    Credits for the Elective Component:
    Learners are required to select electives that add up to at least 13 credits. Unit standards may be selected from the unit standards indicated in the elective component. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On achieving this qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Identify and maintain records
  • Maintain an information system
  • Process numerical and text data
  • Receive, distribute and dispatch mail in an office environment
  • Receive and execute instructions
  • Process incoming and outgoing telephone calls
  • Behave in a professional manner in a business environment
  • Attend to customer enquiries
  • Operate and take care of equipment in an office environment
  • Manage time and work processes within a business environment
  • Investigate the structure of an organisation
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the business environment
  • Keep informed about current affairs relating to one`s own industry

    Learners exiting this qualification before completion, retain the credits for unit standards successfully completed and may carry them over to other qualifications to which they are applicable. Learners may also retain the credits until a later stage should studies be recommenced, provided the unit standards are still relevant to the qualification. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    In particular, assessors should check that the learner can demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and make decisions and apply the skills that relate to:
  • Record keeping and the related processes
  • Information systems in relation to record keeping
  • Processing instructions
  • Processing telephone calls
  • Standards of professionalism in relation to handling customer queries, applying business ethics and behaving appropriately in a business environment
  • Ensuring that office equipment is properly maintained
  • Managing time and work schedules effectively
  • Understanding the work context and how to solve problems within that work context
  • Resolving customer problems and queries

    Integrated Assessment:

    Because assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is required for this qualification.

    Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably linked. Whenever possible, the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the unit standards should be integrated.

    Assessment of the communication, language, literacy and numeracy should be conducted in conjunction with other aspects and should use authentic administration contexts wherever possible.

    A variety of methods must be used in assessment and tools and activities must be appropriate to the context in which the learner is working. Where it is not possible to assess the learner in the workplace or on-the-job, simulations, case studies, role-plays and other similar techniques should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.

    The term `Integrated Assessment` implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. During integrated assessments, the assessor should make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies.

    Assessors must assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

    Assessment should ensure that all specific outcomes, embedded knowledge and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated. The assessment of the critical cross-field outcomes should be integrated with the assessment of specific outcomes and embedded knowledge. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Benchmarking was done by comparison with Qualifications and Unit Standards / Outcomes for Administration in:
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • England
  • Scotland

    A direct comparison of the title, specific outcomes, assessment criteria and embedded knowledge was undertaken with each.

    The difference in levels across the different countries made direct comparison difficult. However the SGB was able to conclude that this qualification equates well with the Australian Administration qualification entitled, Certificate in Business (Office Skills) Code BSA 10197. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates with the following qualifications:
  • The National Certificate in Business Administration: Level 3
  • The National Certificate in Management: Level 3
  • The National Certificate in Public Administration: Level 3

    It should also articulate with any other qualification at level 3 in the following fields:
  • Secretarial services
  • Reception services
  • Switchboard operations
  • Financial administration
  • Banking administration
  • Personal / executive secretarial services
  • Data capturing 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with a relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as in the exit level outcomes described in the qualification. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor for this qualification, the applicant should:
  • hold at least the National Certificate in Business Administration Services: Level 3
  • be declared competent in all the outcomes of the National Assessor Unit Standards as stipulated by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) 

  • REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Level, credits and learning components assigned to the qualification:

    The certificate is made up of a planned combination of learning outcomes that have a defined purpose and will provide qualifying learners with applied competence and a basis for further learning. It is a building block for the National Certificate in Administration: NQF Level 3. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  14338  Attend to customer enquiries in an office setting  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14359  Behave in a professional manner in a business environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14353  Conduct basic financial transactions  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  110064  Contribute to the health, safety and security of the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14344  Demonstrate an understanding of a selected business environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Core  7568  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce word processing documents using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  7571  Demonstrate the ability to use electronic mail software to send and receive messages  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14339  Identify and maintain the types of records required in own industry and understand why it is necessary to create evidence and maintain confidentiality  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14343  Investigate the structure of an organization as a workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14341  Keep informed about current affairs related to one`s own industry  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14340  Maintain an existing information system in a business environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14342  Manage time and work processes within a business environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  8104  Operate and take care of equipment in an office environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  8420  Operate in a team  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  7566  Operate personal computer peripherals  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  8618  Organise oneself in the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14348  Process incoming and outgoing telephone calls  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14346  Process numerical and text data in a business environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  14349  Receive and execute instructions  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  11235  Maintain effective working relationships with other members of staff  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8963  Access and use information from texts  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9009  Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  7480  Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8962  Maintain and adapt oral communication  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  12444  Measure, estimate and calculate physical quantities and explore, describe and represent geometrical relationships in 2-dimensions in different life or workplace contexts  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8965  Respond to literary texts  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  7469  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9007  Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8964  Write for a defined context  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  120308  Apply knowledge of self in order to make a personal decision  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  244608  Demonstrate ability to lead a team or group  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  11816  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the individual under the South African Constitution  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  11817  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structures that reinforce and support human rights in South Africa  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  8418  Do basic research  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  10717  Examine the applications of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and its effect on earnings in own contract  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  14351  Maintain reception area  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  14352  Manage a diary for self and others  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  14355  Order and distribute office supplies  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  14350  Receive, consult and direct visitors in a reception area  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  14347  Receive, distribute and dispatch mail in an office environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  13915  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS in a workplace, and its effects on a business sub-sector, own organisation and a specific workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  10378  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the statutory cover afforded under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 130 of 1993, as amended (COIDA)  Level 4  NQF Level 04 


    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.