Page 13 - CAO Handbook 2026 Entry

37. An entry in this Handbook/website does not oblige the institution to offer the programme as institutions continually assess their programmes and may decide to discontinue programmes and/or change the minimum entrance requirements during an application cycle. If an institution discontinues a programme that is published in this Handbook/website, the applicant may replace such programme at no cost.
38. Stated entry requirements are guidelines used by institutions and each institution sets its own minimum entry requirements for each programme.
39. Entry requirements published in the Handbook/website are MINIMUM requirements for your application to be considered, and in most cases, the number of applications for a qualification/programme far exceeds the number of places that an institution has available for the qualification/ programme. Therefore, while you may meet the published minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee acceptance.
40. All payments to the CAO are done through EasyPay or online at www.cao.ac.za. Click on ‘Payments’ and follow the instructions. Card payments can also be made at the CAO’s office during the specified periods. The CAO office does not accept cash. See fee structure on page 24.
41. PaymentsmustbemadetothecorrectCAOnumber.Onceyouhavepaidfor an application, we cannot transfer the funds from one application to the next.
42. An applicant’s CAO number, EASYPAY number and password are issued on screen to the applicant during the application process. These numbers are also sent by email to the email address provided by the applicant. These are the only valid numbers recognized by the CAO and are unique to the
applicant.
42.1 If payments are made online on the CAO website you must use your
unique CAO number, OR
42.2 At an EasyPay vendor such as Shoprite, Pick ’n Pay, Boxer, etc. you
must use your unique CAO-EasyPay number, OR
42.3 At the CAO reception you must use your unique CAO number.
43. CAO is committed to ensure that we are compliant with the relevant data protection laws in our country as per the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of 2013. We will only share the details of your application with
1.4. IMPORTANT NOTICE AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS
you, the applicant and with educational institutions as stated in the Applicant Declaration and Informed Consent you agreed to when you applied. The only time your personal information will be shared with someone other than yourself or with the educational institutions partnering with the CAO is if: • You authorise us through the completion and submission of the
POWER OF ATTORNEY form available on our website.
• You are under 18 years of age when you applied and are still under 18. In that case your application details will be shared with the parent or guardian who signed the CAO Declaration and Informed Consent Form when the application was made. Such signatory may grant permission to any third party over the age of 18 by completing and submitting the
POWER OF ATTORNEY form available on our website.
44. CAO only uses its website or dedicated social media platforms to communicate with the public. All other social media platforms have been set up without authorisation from CAO. Any information provided on these unauthorised social media platforms could lead to malicious and fraudulent activity including solicitation of funds from the Public. Visit www.cao.ac.za, go to the bottom of the Home Page where you will find the Social Media
Platform/s used by CAO including links to the platform/s and any updates. 45. CAO, its administration departments, staff or any affiliated persons who provide information to the institutions, public and or prospective students, provides such information, whether written or oral, in good faith. In the event that the public and/or prospective students act upon such information to their detriment, CAO shall not be liable for any loss, harm or damage (direct, consequential or special), or expense of any nature whatsoever, which may be suffered as a result of reliance on such information, the interpretation thereof or any references made thereto. CAO, to the best of its ability, attempts to ensure that the information provided is both true and correct, free from error, omission or misrepresentation, however, it does
not warrant the aforesaid expressly or impliedly.
46. The CAO reserves the right to vary, update or replace these Terms of
Service as it continuously enhances and evolves its services.
CAO HANDBOOK ENTRY 2026 9