Free career counsellors and guidance in South Africa.

Best for: Learners, students, job seekers, parents, employed people, and unemployed youth

Access: Phone, SMS, email, and walk-in support

Phone: 086 999 0123

Also: SMS or Please Call Me: 072 204 5056

Email: careerhelp@dhet.gov.za

This is the main public DHET career-guidance service and the strongest free national starting point if you want direct human support.

Best for: Learners, students, parents, and people exploring a career change

Access: Online self-help resource

Useful if you want to think through options in your own time first, then follow up with a counsellor or helpline.

Best for: People looking for a place-based or institution-based support point

Access: Directory of career centres and partner locations

Good for finding nearby career-guidance access points, including partner centres and institutions linked to DHET career services.

Best for: Young South Africans who need a practical next step into learning or work

Access: Data-free platform plus toll-free guide support

Phone: 0800 72 72 72

Not a classic one-to-one career-counselling service, but very useful if you want guided help into opportunities and work-seeking support.

Best for: Prospective and registered UNISA students

Access: Online and student-support guidance

Useful if distance learning or UNISA is already part of your thinking and you want support from within that system.