Govermate logoGovermate
Back to opportunities
DocumentNot applicable4 of 4 opportunities in this document openLegislation

Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, as amended, which establishes the legal framework for South Africa's higher-education system

Listed as “Act101”

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Official source

Source domain: saqa.org.za

Collected on 6 August 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This is the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, as amended, which establishes the legal framework for South Africa's higher-education system. It provides for the Council on Higher Education, public higher-education institutions, registration of private institutions, independent assessors, funding, and quality assurance.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

public-institution funding frameworkOngoing

funding of public higher education institutions

The Act provides a legal framework for public higher education institutions to be funded.

Who it is for
public higher education institutions
How to act on it
No funding application or access procedure is stated in the supplied text.
Show the line this came from
to provide for the establishment, governance and funding of public higher education institutions;
public higher education frameworkOngoing

Establishment, governance and funding of public higher education institutions

The Act provides a legal framework for establishing, governing and funding public higher education institutions.

Who it is for
Public higher education institutions and bodies responsible for higher education
How to act on it
Use the establishment, governance and funding provisions of the Act; the supplied text does not set out application steps.
Show the line this came from
to provide for the establishment, governance and funding of public higher education institutions
institutional registrationOngoing

registration of private higher education institutions

Private higher education institutions can be registered under the framework provided by the Act.

Who it is for
private higher education institutions
How to act on it
No registration procedure or submission requirements are stated in the supplied text.
Show the line this came from
to provide for the registration of private higher education institutions;
quality-assurance frameworkOngoing

quality assurance and quality promotion in higher education

The Act provides for quality assurance and quality promotion within higher education.

Who it is for
higher education institutions and higher-education stakeholders
How to act on it
No access or participation procedure is stated in the supplied text.
Show the line this came from
to provide for quality assurance and quality promotion in higher education;

Key Takeaways

  • Higher Education Act 101 of 1997
  • Assented to: 26 November 1997
  • Commencement Date: 19 December 1997
  • Amended by Higher Education Amendment Acts 55 of 1999, 54 of 2000, 23 of 2001, 63 of 2002, 38 of 2003, 39 of 2008 and Higher Education Laws Amendment Act 26 of 2010
  • Establishment and functions of the Council on Higher Education
  • Establishment, governance and funding of public higher education institutions
  • Registration of private higher education institutions
  • Quality assurance and quality promotion in higher education
  • The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
  • Council on Higher Education