Government · Contact details
Department of Higher Education Contact Details
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) call centre is 0800 87 2222 (toll-free), and its email is callcentre@dhet.gov.za. DHET is the national department responsible for universities, TVET colleges, community education and training (CET) colleges, SETAs and skills development; it is not the Department of Basic Education, which handles schools and matric.
DHET contact details at a glance
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Call centre (toll-free) | 0800 87 2222 |
| Call centre email | callcentre@dhet.gov.za |
| Career Helpline | 086 999 0123 |
| Pretoria head office switchboard | 012 312 5911 |
| Head office fax | 012 323 5618 |
| Cape Town office | 021 469 5175 |
| Pretoria office address | 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria 0001 |
| Pretoria postal address | Private Bag X174, Pretoria 0001 |
| Cape Town office address | 103 Plein Street, Parliament Towers, Cape Town 8001 |
| Cape Town postal address | Private Bag X9192, Cape Town 8000 |
| facebook.com/DHETinSA | |
| X / Twitter | twitter.com/HigherEduGovZA |
Official contact channels
The DHET call centre on 0800 87 2222 is the general line for public enquiries, and callcentre@dhet.gov.za is its email. DHET runs a separate Career Helpline on 086 999 0123 for career and study guidance, so use that number if you want advice on what or where to study rather than help with a departmental matter.
The Pretoria head office switchboard is 012 312 5911, and the Cape Town office can be reached on 021 469 5175. The head office fax number is 012 323 5618. DHET is also on Facebook (DHETinSA) and X (HigherEduGovZA).
DHET does not publish a dedicated certificate enquiries mailbox on its own website. For a DHET certificate enquiry, start with the call centre on 0800 87 2222 or callcentre@dhet.gov.za.
Services and responsibilities
DHET’s portfolio covers post-school education and training:
- Universities
- Vocational education (TVET colleges)
- Community education (CET colleges)
- SETAs and skills development
NSFAS, QCTO, SAQA and the SETAs are separate entities with their own contact details. The current Minister is Buti Manamela, according to DHET news in September 2026.
Office and address information
DHET’s head office is at 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria 0001, and its postal address is Private Bag X174, Pretoria 0001. The department also keeps a Cape Town office at Parliament Towers, 103 Plein Street, Cape Town 8001, for parliamentary business. Post for the Cape Town office goes to Private Bag X9192, Cape Town 8000.
Applications and escalation
DHET does not handle student funding applications. The NSFAS 2027 application cycle was launched by Minister Buti Manamela on 18 September 2026, and funding queries go to NSFAS, not DHET. The Minister also urged applicants to use the September 2026 window to apply to TVET colleges for the 2027 academic year; those applications go to the colleges.
DHET does not publish a separate escalation line on its contact page. If the call centre cannot help, write to the head office at Private Bag X174, Pretoria 0001, or call the switchboard on 012 312 5911.
For other national and provincial departments, browse the government hub or the government directory D listings.
FAQs
What is the DHET contact number?
The DHET call centre is 0800 87 2222 (toll-free). The Pretoria head office switchboard is 012 312 5911.
What is the DHET email address?
The call centre email is callcentre@dhet.gov.za.
Who do I contact for a DHET certificate enquiry?
DHET does not list a separate certificate mailbox on its own site. Contact the call centre on 0800 87 2222 or callcentre@dhet.gov.za.
Is there a Department of Higher Education and Training career helpline?
Yes. The Career Helpline is 086 999 0123, separate from the general call centre.
Does DHET handle NSFAS funding?
No. NSFAS is a separate entity, and funding queries go to NSFAS.
Sources
- DHET, Contact us: dhet.gov.za/SitePages/ContactUs.aspx, read 2026-09-26
- DHET, homepage (helplines and news): dhet.gov.za, read 2026-09-26
- South African Government, contact directory, Higher Education and Training: gov.za/about-government/contact-directory/departments/higher-education-and-training-department, read 2026-09-26