From 10 October 2025, the 22% wage increase will be applied by the government of South Africa to a number of public sector workers. During the time it will be paid, it is planned to offer the whole public sector a chance to recover from the impact of inflation and the high cost of living. The various departments were directed by the government to apply the increase to all salary allowances across the board rather than in basic wages, which means workers will get the total compensation due to the increase in allowances.
Long years of union leaders advocating for more generous pay, and this step in the right direction, albeit partially, was not their case. In the end, it will be the thousands of employees of the national, provincial, and local governments that will be benefitting from the decision.
What the 22% Bonus Covers
The 22% increase will be granted to the various allowances that the government employees receive, such as housing, transport, risk, and communication allowances, etc. The basic wage will still remain constant. This means that your basic pay remains the same, but the allowances are increased thus making your total pay higher.
Moreover, the eligible workers will also be able to earn a one-off performance bonus in addition to the above increase, which will depend on their performance ratings and conduct at the workplace.
Who Qualifies & Who Doesn’t
In order to be considered for the bonus of 22% along with the corresponding allowances:
- Your job must be full-time and permanent in the public sector (either national or provincial departments).
- You should have been an employee by 30 April 2025.
- You need to be a person without an employment record that is under disciplinary action, suspension, or an unresolved issue.
- The bonus is not available for contract, temporary, or part-time workers.
If you satisfy these conditions, then no additional paperwork or application is required, and the increase is granted automatically.
When & How You’ll Be Paid
The new enhanced allowances will be valid from 10 October 2025 onwards. Payment will be done through the PERSAL system (the payroll system for public servants), and the increase should be reflected in your salary for that month.
If you qualify, the one-off bonus should also be part of the October or November payroll cycle depending on how fast the department processes it.
What You Should Do Now
- Double check your payslip for October (or early November) to verify the allowance increase.
- Make sure your banking and contact details are up to date with your department—errors could result in payment being delayed.
- Contact HR if the bonus or increased allowance is not shown.
- Follow the official announcements from your department or the Department of Public Service & Administration (DPSA) for any clarifications.