Everything you need to know about CAO

CAO is an acronym for Central Application Office, and it is the leading organisation that provides services in the facilitation of student access to post-schooling education. They organisation is responsible for overseeing undergraduate applications to colleges and universities in South Africa.

Many people ask the following Questions

How do I apply to CAO?

How do I check my application status?

How do I contact CAO?

How do I Login?

In this article, you will learn how to check application Status, How to apply to COA, and how to login to COA, in other words, the above questions would be answered.

How To Apply TO CAO

Central Application Office has both online and Offline application. that is, you can choose to apply online or go to the Central Application Office and submit your application.

How to Apply Online

Follow the steps below, if you want to apply CAO Online:

1. Go to the CAO official Website
2. Read how to use Programme list
3. Refer to the Summary of codes Used
4. Use the index to find which list the programme is on.
5. Click on the Apply Button On the Top Menu Bar
6. Complete  the form by filling all the required details
7. Print out the declaration and Deposit Slip
8. Pay Application Fee
9. Attach the Required Documents and payment proofs to the form of declaration
10. Post to CAO Or visit the Office and submit it.
11. Keep the receipt and make sure you don’t forget your password so you can track your application status.

How to Apply Offline Or In The Office

Follow the steps below, if you want to apply to Offline:

1. Visit the Central Application Office Website
2. Read how to use Programme list
3. Refer to the Summary of codes Used
4. Use the index to find which list the programme is on.
5. Download the application form from the site
6. Fill the Downloaded Application form with the Required Details
7. Pay the Application Fee
8. Attach the Required Documents and payment proofs to the form of declaration
9. Post to Central Application Office Or visit the Office and submit it.
10. Keep the receipt and make sure you don’t forget your password so you can track your application status.

How to Check Your CAO Application Status

1. Visit the CAO Website 
2. Click on the My Application
3. Choose your mode of identity example; CAO Number, ID Number,  Passport Number by clicking on the radio button.
4. Fill in the Details
5. You should be able to view your application status then.

How to login 

1. Visit the CAO Website.
2. Click on the Login on the top menu Bar.
3. Fil in your CAO Number and password.
4. Then Click Login.

Contact Info 

Below are contact details that you can use if you want to contact the Central Application Office:

Phone Numbers

• Call Centre: 031 268 4444
• Fax Number: 086 622 8828
• If faxing from outside South Africa use +27 31 268 4422

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address

• Private Bag X06
• Dalbridge
• 4014

Physical Address

• Gate 11, Central Services Complex – UKZN
• Mary Thiphe Street (Cato Manor Road)
• Cato Manor
• Durban

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Member Institutions

More than twenty institution makes Use of CAO for their application in South Africa, mainly in Kwazulu-Natal.  Below is the list of the Institutions:

1. Durban University of Technology
2. Mangosuthu University of Technology
3. University of KwaZulu-Natal
4. University of Zululand
5. Southern Business School
6. Berea Technical College
7. Berea College of Technology
8. AAA School of Advertising
9. Central Technical College
10. CTU Training Solutions
11. Embury Institute for Higher Education
12. ICESA Education
13. iStudent Academy
14. Management and Leadership Academy (ICESA Education Subdivision)
15. MANCOSA
16. PAX College
17. Pearson Institute of Higher Education
18. Regent Business School
19. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology
20. Rosebank College
21. Springfield FET College
22. The Business School at Varsity College (Part Time Division)