ZA
South Africa: Payroll & Employment Facts
Verified statutory employment facts for South Africa, each with its official source and the date it applies from. This is our reference record. For provider choice and hiring advice, see the South Africa employer-of-record guide and the South Africa country hub.
What is the minimum wage in South Africa?
| National minimum wage |
R 30.23 / hour
|
|---|---|
| Next review date |
2027-02-28
|
What employer social contributions apply in South Africa?
Rates are a percentage of gross wage, applied up to the annual contribution ceiling.
| Employer social security rate |
1.00%
|
|---|---|
| Pension |
0.00%
|
| Healthcare |
0.00%
|
| Skills Development Levy (SDL) |
1.00%
|
| Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COIDA) |
Not available
|
| Annual contribution ceiling |
212,544.0 ZAR per annum
|
| Total employer burden |
2.00%
|
What notice and leave rules apply in South Africa?
Statutory minimum notice the employer must give, by completed length of service.
| Length of service | Employer notice |
|---|---|
| 0 to 5 months | 1 weeks |
| 6 to 11 months | 2 weeks |
| 12+ months | 4 weeks |
Checked 2026-06-06
| Payment in lieu of notice (PILON) |
Permitted
|
|---|---|
| Minimum annual leave |
15 days
|
| Annual leave includes public holidays |
No
|
| Public holidays per year |
12 days
|
Is 13th-month pay required in South Africa?
None of the following are mandated by statute; they may still arise from a contract or collective agreement.
| Thirteenth-month pay required |
No
|
|---|---|
| Profit sharing required |
No
|
| Holiday bonus required |
No
|
How is severance calculated in South Africa?
| Formula |
An employer must pay an employee who is dismissed for reasons based on the employer's operational requirements (retrenchment) severance pay equal to at least one week's remuneration for each completed year of continuous service with that employer.
|
|---|---|
| Per-year multiplier |
1 weeks of pay per year of service
|
| Minimum qualifying tenure |
12 months
|
| Calculation base |
Regular remuneration
|