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HR Assistant CV example and template (South Africa)

HR assistants handle the paperwork behind every employee: recruitment admin, contracts, employee files, leave records, payroll inputs and the monthly UIF declarations. In South Africa the job also means working within labour law, mainly the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), which sets rules for leave and working hours, the Labour Relations Act (LRA), which covers discipline and dismissals, and the Employment Equity Act, which requires larger employers to report on their workforce every year. A CV that shows you know where these rules touch your daily work stands out from one that only says "HR administration".

The example below is for an HR assistant with about five years of experience, including an internship. Name the payroll system you have captured on, such as Sage VIP, Sage 300 People or PaySpace, and the government systems you have used, such as uFiling for UIF. If you have an HR diploma or degree, give its NQF level, and add your SABPP registration if you have one, because many HR adverts list it as an advantage.

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HR Assistant CV example

Kagiso Molefe

HR Assistant with 5 years' experience in recruitment, leave and payroll inputs

076 555 0118 · kagiso.molefe@example.co.za · Midrand, Gauteng

Profile

Detail-focused HR assistant with five years' experience supporting a 350-employee logistics company in Midrand. Coordinates recruitment from advert to onboarding, keeps employee files and leave records up to date, and prepares monthly payroll inputs on Sage 300 People. Submits UIF declarations on uFiling, helps prepare the annual Employment Equity report and works within the BCEA and LRA. Holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management (NQF 6) and is registered with SABPP.

Work experience

HR Assistant

Mvelo Freight (Pty) Ltd, Midrand | Apr 2021 – Present

  • Coordinate recruitment for about 60 posts a year, from advert to signed contract
  • Keep 350 employee files complete and audit-ready
  • Capture leave on Sage 300 People and check balances against BCEA rules
  • Prepare monthly payroll inputs for new starters, terminations, overtime and deductions
  • Submit monthly UIF declarations on uFiling and complete UIF forms for leavers
  • Collect workforce data for the annual EEA2 and EEA4 reports
  • Arrange disciplinary hearings and keep hearing records

HR Intern

Tiger Brands, Johannesburg | Feb 2020 – Mar 2021

  • Scheduled interviews and sent regret letters for factory and office posts
  • Filed contracts and personal documents for new employees
  • Captured training attendance registers for the Workplace Skills Plan
  • Answered basic leave and payslip queries from employees

Education

Diploma in Human Resource Management

Tshwane University of Technology, 2019, NQF level 6

Subjects: Human Resource Management, Labour Relations, Employment Law, Training and Development, Organisational Behaviour

National Senior Certificate (Matric)

Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng, 2016, NQF level 4

Subjects: English Home Language, Setswana First Additional Language, Mathematics, Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, Life Orientation

Skills

  • Recruitment and onboarding admin
  • Employee files and records
  • Leave administration under the BCEA
  • Sage 300 People payroll inputs
  • UIF declarations on uFiling
  • Employment Equity reporting (EEA2 and EEA4)
  • Advanced Excel
  • POPIA-compliant record keeping

Certificates

  • Associate HR Practitioner (registered), South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), 2023
  • Sage 300 People Payroll Practitioner course, Sage training partner, 2022
  • Basic Labour Law (short course), Labour law training provider, 2021

Achievements

  • Moved all 350 employee files to a scanned, password-protected filing system in 2024

Personal details

Driver’s licence:
Code B (Code 8)
Own transport:
Yes
Nationality:
South African
Languages:
Setswana (Home language), English (Fluent), isiZulu (Good)
Notice period:
One month
Availability:
Full-time

References

Nokuthula Sithole

HR Manager, Mvelo Freight (Pty) Ltd

011 555 0158

Pieter Labuschagne

HR Business Partner (internship mentor), Tiger Brands

011 555 0194

HR Assistant CV summary you can copy

Change the details so they are true for you.

Detail-focused HR assistant with five years' experience supporting a 350-employee logistics company in Midrand. Coordinates recruitment from advert to onboarding, keeps employee files and leave records up to date, and prepares monthly payroll inputs on Sage 300 People. Submits UIF declarations on uFiling, helps prepare the annual Employment Equity report and works within the BCEA and LRA. Holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management (NQF 6) and is registered with SABPP.

Skills to list on your HR Assistant CV

Duties written as strong bullet points

Tips for a stronger HR Assistant CV

Show the labour laws you work with

You do not need to be a labour lawyer, but a manager wants to see that you know the basics. Link each law to a task, such as "checked sick leave against the BCEA three-year sick leave cycle" or "sent notices of disciplinary hearings in line with the LRA". This shows you can be trusted with compliance work.

Name the payroll and HR systems

HR managers often ask for experience on a specific system, such as Sage VIP, Sage 300 People or PaySpace. Write what you did on it, for example capturing new starters, overtime and leave, not only that you "know" the system.

Mention government submissions

UIF declarations on uFiling, Employment Equity reports to the Department of Employment and Labour, and Workplace Skills Plans for the SETA all have deadlines. If you helped with any of them, say so, because it shows you understand that late submissions can lead to penalties.

Put your HR qualification and SABPP status near the top

Write the full name of your HR qualification, the institution and its NQF level. If you are registered with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), add your registration level. Many adverts for HR posts ask for a relevant diploma as a minimum.

Questions people ask

What qualifications do I need to be an HR assistant in South Africa?

Most employers ask for matric plus a Higher Certificate (NQF level 5) or Diploma (NQF level 6) in Human Resource Management, or a degree with HR as a major. Some accept matric plus strong HR administration experience. Short courses in payroll and labour law also help.

What is SABPP registration and do I need it?

The South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) is the professional body for HR in South Africa. It registers HR practitioners at different levels depending on their qualification and experience. It is not legally required for an HR assistant, but it shows commitment and many adverts list it as an advantage.

What is uFiling?

uFiling is the Department of Employment and Labour's online system for UIF. Employers use it to register, submit monthly UIF declarations and pay contributions. HR assistants often handle these declarations, so include it on your CV if you have used it.

Which Employment Equity reports should I mention?

Designated employers must report to the Department of Employment and Labour every year, using the EEA2 report on the workforce and the EEA4 income differentials statement. If you gathered data or captured these reports, mention it, because it is detailed work that HR managers need help with.

Can I become an HR assistant after an HR internship?

Yes. Many HR assistants start as interns through company programmes or SETA-funded internships. On your CV, list the HR tasks you did during the internship with numbers, such as how many interviews you scheduled or files you set up, so it reads as real work experience.

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