Labour, UIF & Compensation Fund
How to Register as an Employer for UIF in South Africa
What employers must do to register for UIF in 2026, from the UI-8 and UI-19 forms to uFiling and SARS, declarations and monthly contributions.
Quick answer
If you employ anyone for more than 24 hours a month, you must register them for UIF. You can register through SARS when you register for PAYE, directly on uFiling, via BizPortal, or by submitting the UI-8 employer form and the UI-19 employee declaration to the Department of Employment and Labour. Registration and declarations are free. Then declare employees and pay contributions monthly, usually by the 7th.
Key points
- Registration is compulsory if you employ a person for more than 24 hours a month, and it is free.
- The UI-8 registers the employer; the UI-19 declares each employee's details and earnings.
- You can register via SARS (with PAYE/SDL), on uFiling, through BizPortal, by email or at a Labour Centre.
- Employers already registered for PAYE or SDL usually pay UIF contributions to SARS, not the UIF directly.
- Total contribution is a small percentage of earnings split between employer and employee, up to an earnings ceiling; confirm current figures officially.
- Contributions and declarations are typically due monthly by the 7th; late payment can attract penalties.
Step by step
Who must register and why
If you employ someone in South Africa for more than 24 hours a month, the law requires you to register them for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and to contribute every month. This covers businesses large and small, and it covers households that employ domestic workers, gardeners, nannies, carers or drivers. Registration lets your workers draw benefits if they later lose income through unemployment, illness, maternity or a death in the family, and it keeps you compliant with the Department of Employment and Labour.
CluedUp is an independent explainer, not the UIF, SARS or the Department of Employment and Labour. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current forms, rates and deadlines with the Department before you act.
The two core forms
Two forms underpin UIF employer compliance. The UI-8 is the application to register as an employer; once processed it gives you a UIF employer reference number. The UI-19 is the declaration of your employees, listing each worker’s details and earnings and recording when people join or leave. You generally need the UI-8 to open your account and ongoing UI-19 declarations to stay compliant. Both forms are free.
Choosing how to register
There is no single door. Many employers register for UIF through SARS at the same time as PAYE and the Skills Development Levy, which keeps all three under one account. Others register directly on uFiling, the Department’s online platform, or use BizPortal, which handles employer registration but not employee declarations. You can also complete the UI-8 and submit it with a UI-19 by email or at a Labour Centre. Because the Department has changed its UI-8 submission email in the past, verify the current address before sending and keep proof.
| Route | Good for |
|---|---|
| SARS (with PAYE/SDL) | Employers already paying PAYE; UIF paid to SARS |
| uFiling | Online registration, declarations and direct payments |
| BizPortal | Quick employer registration (not employee declarations) |
| UI-8 by email / Labour Centre | Manual or assisted registration |
Declarations and contributions
The total UIF contribution is a small percentage of each employee’s earnings, split evenly between you and the worker, up to a monthly earnings ceiling. You deduct the employee’s share, add your own and pay the combined amount. The exact rate and ceiling are set officially and change from time to time, so confirm the current figures rather than relying on an old number. Payment and declaration are normally due monthly, by the 7th or the last business day before it. If you are registered for PAYE or SDL, you usually pay UIF to SARS; otherwise you pay the UIF directly.
Staying compliant and avoiding traps
Keep your UI-19 current whenever staff change, keep proof of every payment, and update banking or contact details promptly. Registration and declarations cost nothing, so be cautious of anyone charging a “registration fee” on behalf of the UIF or asking for your eFiling or banking login. If you want help with the paperwork you may use a private service, but it is optional. Using the official SARS, uFiling and BizPortal channels keeps both your money and your workers protected.
⚠ Stay safe
UIF employer registration is free. Private "agents" and websites may offer to register you or file the UI-8 and UI-19 for a fee; that is optional and never required. Only use official channels: SARS, uFiling (.gov.za), BizPortal (.gov.za), or a Labour Centre. Never share your SARS eFiling or banking login with a third party, and be wary of invoices or "registration fees" demanded by anyone claiming to act for the UIF.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to register as a UIF employer?
What is the difference between the UI-8 and the UI-19?
Do I pay UIF to SARS or to the UIF?
How much is the UIF contribution?
When are contributions due?
I only have one domestic worker. Must I register?
Where do I submit the UI-8 if I use email?
Official sources
CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.