CACH Suspended for 2026 Entry: What the Class of 2025 Must Know

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has officially announced that the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) will not be implemented for the 2026 academic year. This change directly affects the Class of 2025, as well as all prospective students planning to enter post-school education in 2026.

If you were relying on CACH as a second chance to secure placement after matric results, this update is important. Here’s what the suspension means, why it’s happening, and what students should do next.

What Was CACH and Why It Mattered

Since 2013, the Central Application Clearing House played a critical role in helping students who:

• Did not receive offers from universities or TVET colleges
• Wanted to change their original qualification choices
• Became eligible only after matric results were released

CACH worked by collecting student details and matching them with available spaces across public universities, TVET colleges, and later, private institutions. For many learners, it was a vital second opportunity to access higher education.

Why CACH Is Suspended for the 2026 Academic Year

According to DHET, the suspension of CACH is part of a broader reform of the post-school application system.

For the Class of 2025 and beyond, CACH will no longer operate. Instead, the Department is shifting its focus to a more structured, long-term solution called the Central Application Service (CAS).

This change is aimed at:

• Simplifying the application journey for students
• Providing earlier and clearer visibility of available opportunities
• Improving access to information across the entire post-school system

What Is the Central Application Service (CAS)?

The Central Application Service (CAS) is designed to be a comprehensive and integrated platform that supports students throughout their post-school decision-making process.

Key goals of CAS include:

• Showing all available pathways, not just universities
• Including TVET colleges, private institutions, and alternative training routes
• Reducing confusion and last-minute panic after matric results
• Helping eliminate bogus and unregistered institutions

Importantly, CAS acknowledges a major reality:
University and college spaces are limited, and demand continues to grow. CAS aims to guide students toward realistic and viable alternatives early.

What This Means for the Class of 2025

If you are writing matric in 2025:

• Do not wait for CACH — it will not open for 2026
• Apply early and directly to universities, TVET colleges, and private institutions
• Research multiple pathways, not only traditional universities
• Make informed choices before results are released

Planning ahead is now more important than ever.

How to Get Support Right Now

DHET has confirmed that no student will be left without guidance or information.

Prospective students are encouraged to engage with the Central Application Service via WhatsApp:

📱 CAS WhatsApp Chat Number: 081 308 4196

This service provides official guidance on:

• Available study opportunities
• Accredited institutions
• Alternative post-school pathways

Conclusion

The suspension of CACH marks a major shift in how post-school applications are managed in South Africa. While change can be unsettling, the move toward the Central Application Service is intended to create a clearer, fairer, and more transparent system for future students.

For the Class of 2025, the key takeaway is simple:
Apply early, explore multiple options, and use official support channels.

Staying informed is now your strongest advantage.