INSETA - Insurance sector

INSETA learnerships 2026: how to apply

INSETA funds 46 learnership categories across short-term, long-term, wealth management and financial advisory. Most lead to the RE5 regulatory exam - the gateway to FSCA Representative registration.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Visit INSETA careers
Registered categories
46 learnerships
Stipend
R3,000 - R6,500 / month
PWD stipend
R4,000 / month
Duration
12-24 months
Re-established to
31 March 2030
Head office
Sandton · 011 381 8900

Who can apply

  • South African citizen with a valid green bar-coded SA ID or smart ID
  • Aged 18-35
  • Matric (Grade 12) with English and Maths or Maths Literacy (some programmes require 60%+ in Maths Lit or D-symbol English)
  • Currently unemployed and not enrolled in other tertiary study
  • Must not have previously completed an INSETA-funded learnership
  • Basic digital and computer literacy preferred
  • PWD candidates encouraged (dedicated stipend allocation)

What you'll need

  • Certified copy of green bar-coded SA ID or smart ID (under 3 months old)
  • Certified copy of Matric certificate or statement of results
  • Updated CV
  • Proof of residence
  • Cover letter / motivation
  • Tertiary results (if any)
  • Medical disability certificate (for PWD applications)
  • SARS tax number (if previously employed)

Step by step

  1. Confirm eligibility

    Check age (18-35), ID, Matric subjects (English + Maths/Maths Lit), unemployed status, and that you haven't done an INSETA learnership before. Specific programmes (e.g. Wealth Management) have additional subject requirements.

  2. Identify the programme

    Two routes:
    • Insurer careers portals: Santam, Discovery, Old Mutual Insure, AVBOB, Hollard, Sanlam
    • INSETA careers page at inseta.org.za/careers or the discretionary grant windows (typically January, March, October)

  3. Get all documents certified

    ID, Matric, qualifications must be certified within the last 3 months. SAPS stations and Post Offices certify for free.

  4. Submit your application

    Online via the employer or training provider portal, or via the INSETA MIS portal at insetamis.inseta.org.za. Follow the advert's instructions exactly - wrong email subject or missing reference number is auto-rejection.

  5. Pass the assessment and interview

    If shortlisted, you'll attend an assessment (typically numeracy, literacy, financial reasoning) within 60 days, followed by an interview.

  6. Sign your tripartite learnership agreement

    You + the employer + the accredited training provider. The 12-month programme alternates between theory and on-the-job practical, with monthly stipend payments.
    Tip: After completion, you'll be eligible to sit the RE5 Regulatory Exam - the FAIS gateway to giving financial advice as a Representative.

What INSETA covers

INSETA is the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority - established March 2000 under the Skills Development Act and re-established by Government Gazette until 31 March 2030. The sector employs over 100,000 people.

Sub-sectors:

  • Short-term insurance (motor, household, business, marine, commercial property)
  • Long-term insurance (life, funeral, retirement annuities, endowments)
  • Health insurance / medical schemes
  • Reinsurance
  • Wealth management, financial advisory, intermediaries
  • Risk management, compliance, actuarial services

Major insurers and brokers that participate

  • Long-term: Old Mutual, Sanlam, Liberty (now Standard Bank Insurance), Discovery, Momentum, AVBOB, 1Life, Hollard Life, PPS
  • Short-term: Santam, Old Mutual Insure (formerly Mutual & Federal), OUTsurance, Hollard, Discovery Insure, Telesure Group (Auto & General, Budget, Dialdirect, 1st for Women), MiWay, ABSA Insurance, FNB Insurance, Bryte, Constantia
  • Brokers: AON South Africa, Marsh Africa, WTW (Willis Towers Watson)

Confirmed 2026 advertisers include AVBOB (Long-Term Insurance), Discovery (Long-Term Insurance, Sandton), Santam, and Old Mutual Insure.

Main INSETA learnership types

INSETA has 46 registered learnership categories. The most common:

  • FETC: Long-Term Insurance NQF 4 (most popular)
  • FETC: Short-Term Insurance / Retail Insurance NQF 4
  • FETC: Wealth Management NQF 4 and National Certificate: Wealth Management NQF 5
  • Occupational Certificate: Insurance Agent - Insurance Underwriter NQF 5 (156 credits)
  • Occupational Certificate: Long-Term Insurance Advisor NQF 5 (180 credits)
  • Occupational Certificate: Investment Advisor NQF 6 (213 credits)
  • Occupational Certificate: Financial Advisor NQF 6
  • Occupational Certificate: Health Care Benefits Advisor NQF 5
  • Occupational Certificate: Employee & Pension Fund Benefits Advisor NQF 5
  • Loss Adjusting / Claims Assessment (skills programmes)
  • Insurance Compliance / Insurance Sales (skills programmes)

FAIS compliance and the RE5 pathway

INSETA qualifications are aligned to the FSCA's "fit and proper" requirements under the FAIS Act. Completing an NQF 4 or 5 INSETA-accredited qualification satisfies the qualification leg of FAIS - but does not by itself license you to give advice.

To act as a Representative under FAIS, you must also pass the RE5 Regulatory Exam:

  • 50 multiple-choice questions
  • 2 hours
  • 66% pass mark (33/50 correct)
  • Administered by the FSCA

Most INSETA learnerships build RE5 readiness directly - e.g. Santam's programme explicitly states learners "gain eligibility to write the RE5 exam." INSETA has extended enrolment for legacy qualifications until June 2026.

INSETA stipend

  • Typical range: R3,000 - R6,500/month for unemployed learners
  • PWD unemployed learners: R4,000/month (per INSETA 2025/26 Discretionary Application Window)
  • Some 2026 adverts list "up to R6,500"

Stipends above R7,500 quoted by some sites are unverified - R6,500 is the current ceiling I could confirm.

ISSF Bursary - Insurance Sector Student Fund

INSETA's flagship bursary covers full tuition, textbooks, accommodation, meals and a monthly allowance at public universities and TVET colleges.

Priority fields: B.Com Insurance/Risk Management, Actuarial Science, Data Analytics, Financial Planning, Underwriting, Compliance.

2026 cycle closed: 20 October 2025. The 2027 cycle is expected to open mid-2026.

Accredited training providers

  • Milpark Education - Bachelor of Commerce in Short-Term Insurance, partners with IISA on underwriting
  • IISA - Insurance Institute of South Africa
  • Moonstone Intellectual Capital - FSP licence categories, RE prep
  • MBSE (Management & Business Studies in Education)
  • BOTI - Business Optimisation Training Institute
  • SpecCon Holdings
  • AIE - Academy of Insurance Education
  • FAIS Forward Academy
  • Regenesys

Common rejection reasons

  • Incomplete or uncertified documents (older than 3 months)
  • Failure to meet matric Maths or English requirement
  • Over age 35 or outside SA citizenship
  • Already in employment or studying full-time
  • Already completed an INSETA-funded learnership
  • Applying outside the official window
  • Demographic / equity targets already met for that cohort
  • Failing pre-assessment or interview

INSETA scams

  • Any request for upfront payment (registration, training material, "admin" fee) - INSETA learnerships are 100% free
  • Stipend promises of R10,000+/month (real range R3,000-R6,500)
  • WhatsApp / Telegram "recruiter" links not ending in .org.za
  • Fake "INSETA acceptance letters" via SMS demanding bank deposits
  • Poorly worded emails from gmail.com or outlook.com domains claiming to be INSETA
  • Pressure to "respond within 24 hours"

Verify: legitimate adverts appear on inseta.org.za, the relevant insurer's official careers page, or sayouth.mobi.

Contact

Frequently asked questions

How much does INSETA pay learners in 2026?
R3,000-R6,500/month for unemployed learners. R4,000/month for PWD candidates (per INSETA's 2025/26 Discretionary Application Window).
How do I apply for INSETA learnerships?
Via inseta.org.za/careers, the partner insurer portals (Santam, Discovery, Old Mutual Insure, AVBOB, Hollard, Sanlam), or the INSETA MIS portal at insetamis.inseta.org.za. Submit certified ID, Matric, CV and proof of address.
What qualifications does INSETA offer?
46 registered categories. The most popular are FETC: Long-Term Insurance NQF 4, FETC: Short-Term Insurance NQF 4, and Wealth Management at NQF 4/5. Higher-level Occupational Certificates exist for Financial Advisor, Investment Advisor and Insurance Underwriter at NQF 5-6.
Is the INSETA learnership free?
Yes - always 100% free. Never pay any fee. INSETA learnerships are funded by the Skills Development Levy.
What is RE5 and do I need it?
RE5 is the FAIS Regulatory Exam for Representatives - 50 multiple-choice questions over 2 hours, 66% pass mark. You need it to give financial advice as a registered FSCA Representative. INSETA learnerships build RE5 readiness.
What jobs can I get after an INSETA learnership?
Claims administrator, broker assistant, insurance consultant, underwriter trainee, financial advisor (post-RE5 registration). Higher NQF qualifications open up advisor and investment advisor pathways.
How long is an INSETA learnership?
12 months for NQF 4 entry-level. 18-24 months for NQF 5/6 occupational certificates. Some bursary and graduate programmes run 2-3 years.
Do I need Maths for INSETA?
Yes - Maths or Maths Literacy is typically required, often at 60%+ for Maths Lit. Financial advisory streams favour Maths over Maths Literacy.
What's the difference between an INSETA learnership and an ISSF bursary?
A learnership combines work, study and stipend for matriculants over 12 months. The ISSF bursary funds full-time tuition at a university or TVET for unemployed students pursuing insurance-related degrees.
When do 2026 INSETA applications open?
Rolling windows throughout the year, with major Discretionary Grant Windows around January, March and October. The ISSF bursary 2026 cycle closed 20 October 2025; learnership intakes run continuously.

Related guides

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Learnership stipends 2026

The gazetted minimum allowance and what real programmes pay.

All 21 SETAs explained

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Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.