Gauteng Health HIV Lay Counsellor Jobs 2026: X50 Posts for Matric Applicants

The table below reflects the official Gauteng Professional Job Centre advertisement. This is a government employment vacancy, not a learnership or internship.

Vacancy detail	Employer information
Employer	Gauteng Department of Health
Advertised post	HIV COUNSELLING AND TESTING COUNSELLOR (LAY COUNSELLOR)
Directorate	HAST — HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis
Reference number	REFS/057385 (portal prints refs/057385)
Number of posts	50
Districts	Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Sedibeng and West Rand
Education	Grade 12 / Senior Certificate or equivalent
Compulsory additional requirement	Must possess RTCQI certificate
Added advantages	One year of HIV counselling and testing experience; Basic HIV and AIDS certificate
Salary	R144,024.00 per annum (Salary Level 2) plus benefits
Recruitment status	Advertised; applicants must check the live employer portal before submitting
Closing date	20 November 2026
Closing time	Not stated
Application method	Online only through Gauteng eRecruitment
Initial documents	Completed and signed new Z83 plus updated comprehensive CV
Enquiries	Ms Rebecca Lesimola — 083 641 4222
Official source	View employer vacancy REFS/057385

The employer has not specified a precise district-by-district allocation of the 50 posts, a start date or a contract length. Do not assume any one district has a particular number of positions.

Some Grade 12 vacancies focus primarily on clerical, reception or administration work. A Lay Counsellor contributes directly to HIV testing services, health education, client support and referral to care. That creates greater responsibility for privacy, informed consent, accuracy and professional boundaries.

The attraction is clear: this vacancy advertises public-service employment, a published salary and a defined group of 50 posts. But applicants should not overlook the specialised skills. You must satisfy every compulsory requirement, not just the Matric requirement.

If you are better suited to non-clinical administration, compare the other roles in the Edupstairs government entry-level job explorer. It would be misleading to tell every Matric holder they already qualify for HIV testing work.

The Gauteng Department of Health provides provincial public-health services. The HAST programme concerns HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis, including prevention, treatment-related support, testing-service delivery and continuity of care.

In this advertised role, Lay Counsellors are expected to collaborate with trained clinicians and programme teams. They help people understand available services, access approved testing and receive appropriate referrals, but do not independently prescribe medication or replace a nurse or doctor.

The employer places emphasis on the dignity and privacy of people affected by HIV, TB and other conditions. These are essential principles for any applicant who intends to work directly with clients.

The official advertisement covers five health districts, but does not show a separate post count for each district or a precise facility allocation.

District	What the advert confirms
Ekurhuleni	Listed as a recruitment district; facility placements not stated
Johannesburg	Listed as a recruitment district; facility placements not stated
Tshwane	Listed as a recruitment district; facility placements not stated
Sedibeng	Listed as a recruitment district; facility placements not stated
West Rand	Listed as a recruitment district; facility placements not stated

Your application should identify REFS/057385. Do not invent a district-specific reference number. For questions about selection or placement, contact the Department using its official enquiry details.

The advertisement specifies Grade 12/Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification and states that applicants must possess an RTCQI certificate. You need to pay attention to both parts of that requirement.

• Grade 12 / Senior Certificate or equivalent.
• The RTCQI certificate is expressly compulsory in the vacancy.
• Knowledge of HIV testing modalities, counselling, HIV prevention and related health services.
• Communication, numeracy, basic computer skills and the ability to record information.
• Ethical, non-judgemental communication and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

The official eRecruitment page also asks two criteria questions: whether you possess Grade 12 or equivalent and whether you possess RTCQI. Answer them truthfully. Do not assume a similar training certificate is automatically interchangeable with RTCQI without the employer confirming that equivalence.

Requirement	Correct interpretation
Grade 12 or equivalent	Compulsory minimum education
RTCQI certificate	Compulsory
One year of HIV counselling and testing	Added advantage, not expressly compulsory
Basic HIV and AIDS certificate	Added advantage
Knowledge of HIV testing modalities	Expected knowledge in advert
Computer literacy and counselling skills	Expected competencies
Local-language ability	Described as often preferred
Nursing degree or nursing registration	Not specified as a requirement
Driver’s licence	Not expressly required for this post
Age limit or youth-only restriction	Not specified in the advert

A certificate in general first aid, customer service or IT is not a confirmed replacement for RTCQI. Equally, the employer does not say every successful applicant must have one year of prior employment experience. Avoid excluding yourself—or misleading others—by changing the wording of the advertisement.

RTCQI stands for Rapid Test Continuous Quality Improvement. The National Department of Health HIV Testing Services Policy 2025 describes RTCQI as a nationally approved training component supporting the quality and reliability of rapid HIV testing services.

The policy distinguishes national HIV testers/counsellors training, RTCQI and national tester certification as separate components of the training and competence framework. Those broader policy requirements do not cancel or replace the specific vacancy requirement to already possess an RTCQI certificate.

Be cautious of commercial websites offering certificates in exchange for payment without official authorisation. Verify whether the training is recognised and whether a certificate would satisfy the Gauteng Department of Health vacancy requirements.

For reliable background, start with the National Department of Health Knowledge Hub, which provides official training resources, policies and a course catalogue. The 2025 National HIV Testing Services Policy identifies RTCQI content as a nationally approved training component.

The Knowledge Hub is primarily a professional-development service; some courses may be restricted to registered healthcare employees or approved implementing partners. Its homepage and general resources do not guarantee that any visitor can enrol immediately in RTCQI or obtain the particular certificate needed for this recruitment.

1. Check the official Knowledge Hub for current RTCQI or HIV Testing Services training information.
2. Ask the Gauteng Department of Health whether your existing certificate satisfies REFS/057385.
3. If you need new training, ask the relevant provincial HIV Testing Services programme or recognised implementing partner about eligibility, registration and certificate verification.
4. Do not claim to hold RTCQI until you actually have the recognised certificate.

For broader health-sector qualifications rather than this vacancy’s compulsory certificate, explore HWSETA and other training routes on Edupstairs. Those resources are research pathways, not proof that a listed provider issues Gauteng-recognised RTCQI certificates.

The advert expects knowledge of the 5Cs. They are the principles of Consent, Confidentiality, Counselling, Correct results and Connection to care, described in South African HIV Testing Services guidance.

Principle	Plain-language meaning
Consent	Testing requires appropriate, voluntary informed consent under applicable policies.
Confidentiality	Respect client privacy and safeguard protected health information.
Counselling	Provide appropriate, non-judgemental information and support.
Correct	Follow approved testing and quality-assurance systems; never guess or alter a result.
Connection	Help clients access prevention, treatment and additional services appropriately.

This is a conceptual introduction for prospective applicants, not a substitute for the approved counselling curriculum, informed-consent standards, clinical protocols or competency assessment. You must use departmental procedures in actual practice.

The vacancy instructs counsellors to obtain written informed consent before HIV counselling and testing, and to respect the rights and choices of clients.

A person may be anxious, uncertain or unwilling to proceed. Good counselling does not involve pressure, scare tactics, public disclosure or fabricated medical assurances. Rather, applicants should understand respectful communication, the right to decline where applicable and the importance of following current consent procedures.

Practice question for personal reflection: If a client is uncomfortable, do you pressure them to agree, or explain the process without coercion and follow the approved policy? The latter reflects the principles of voluntary informed consent. The interactive quiz checks this distinction.

The employer explicitly requires confidentiality throughout HIV testing, documentation, referrals and ongoing care. Clients may have legitimate concerns about stigma or other people accessing their information.

Imagine someone claiming to be a patient’s relative asks whether that person tested HIV-positive. The safe professional response is not to disclose or confirm personal medical information without the lawful authorisation and procedures required by the facility.

Do not use personal WhatsApp groups, public spreadsheets or a third-party AI service to store or share identifiable patient information. Learn to follow the employer’s privacy safeguards and authorised documentation systems. Any interactive exercise in this Edupstairs article uses fictional situations only.

The advertisement expressly requires comfort discussing HIV-risk reduction, STIs, different forms of sexual contact and the needs of vulnerable and key populations without judgement.

The work calls for respectful listening and precise, culturally sensitive language—not moralising or shaming. A counsellor must be able to communicate honestly while respecting the client’s autonomy and dignity.

If you are preparing for interviews, think about a genuine example in which you listened carefully, supported a distressed person, resolved a misunderstanding or maintained confidentiality. Do not fabricate clinical counselling cases or claim patient-care experience you do not have.

The listed duties include pre-test information, post-test counselling, HIV rapid testing according to approved algorithms, internal quality control, quality assurance documentation and referrals. They also include sexual-health prevention information and client linkage to appropriate care.

These tasks are performed only under the employer’s protocols, training, supervision and authorisations. The article intentionally does not teach readers how to carry out a rapid HIV test or interpret an individual’s result; that requires approved training, quality systems and clinical procedures.

An applicant can prepare by learning terminology, professional ethics and reporting duties from the official HIV testing policy and by practising general communication and administration skills, without attempting clinical procedures independently.

The advertisement emphasises helping clients with positive test results connect to HIV care, supporting follow-up and facilitating access to appropriate ART services. It also refers to PrEP referrals for eligible HIV-negative clients.

A Lay Counsellor’s role in these areas involves education, appropriate navigation and referral within approved clinical workflows. It is not an independent authority to prescribe ART or PrEP, determine medication eligibility or make unsupervised clinical decisions.

For job interview preparation, focus on how you would listen, maintain privacy and refer cases to properly qualified healthcare staff instead of pretending to possess medical decision-making powers.

The advert mentions HIV self-screening and index testing knowledge, TB symptom screening, STI screening and appropriate referral. Applicants should be able to recognise the broad purpose of these services and understand that they are governed by national policies and ethical safeguards.

Index testing must be handled with particular care for client consent, confidentiality and safety. The focus should always be voluntary, safe, rights-respecting care, not coercing people to identify partners or disclose private information.

The National HIV Testing Services Policy provides background on these concepts. Training required to conduct any specific screening or testing procedure must be delivered by authorised programme personnel.

The vacancy requires accurate completion of HTS registers, consent forms, referral documentation and electronic data-collection tools. Basic numeracy, computer literacy and attention to detail are relevant even when much of the job is client-facing.

• Confirm that the appropriate authorised form is being used.
• Record information truthfully and promptly under department procedures.
• Check records for missing fields and obvious inconsistencies.
• Report errors or uncertainties rather than guessing or altering results.
• Store and access files only according to departmental privacy rules.

You can practise spreadsheet skills using invented examples, but never use real client details for personal study or upload them to Edupstairs. For related administrative occupations, explore the Career & Qualification Explorer.

The role also involves internal quality-control documentation, infection prevention and control, occupational health and safety, biomedical waste management, and safeguarding testing supplies.

An applicant should understand why proper storage, inventory records, approved safety processes and immediate reporting of shortages or deviations matter. But the exact testing procedures, waste-handling methods and clinical precautions must come from accredited training and the workplace’s current standard operating procedures.

For an interview answer, a useful principle is: Never improvise a clinical step when the approved protocol or required supervision is missing. Escalate the issue promptly to the appropriate authorised person.

The Gauteng government page gives a package of R144,024 per annum (Salary Level 2), plus benefits. It does not detail every benefit, an individual’s take-home pay or specific salary deductions.

This is an advertised annual public-service salary, not a learnership stipend. Net income can differ from the gross annual salary because of applicable deductions and individual circumstances.

The advert also does not explicitly state a commencement date or whether every appointment is indefinite. Applicants should refer to the offer of employment for final conditions of service.

The vacancy gives Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Sedibeng and West Rand as its locations. A single reference number covers the advertised 50 posts.

Before accepting any offer, clarify the actual facility or district placement, shift expectations if relevant, and whether your journey is sustainable. Do not assume work-from-home arrangements, transport allowances or the possibility of choosing a clinic without confirmation from the employer.

Your application is for the specified Gauteng Health recruitment, not five separate vacancies with invented district-specific references.

The department explicitly instructs applicants to include a fully completed and signed new Z83 application form and a recently updated comprehensive CV. Applications missing these documents may be disqualified.

• Correct position title: HIV Counselling and Testing Counsellor (Lay Counsellor).
• Correct reference: REFS/057385.
• Fully completed and signed new Z83 application form.
• Updated, truthful and relevant comprehensive CV.
• Any additional uploads specifically required by the employer’s online form.

The note states that shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide certified qualification copies and other relevant documents, generally not older than six months, by the interview stage. For foreign qualifications, it requires SAQA evaluation. Do not send your documents to random recruitment contacts or unverified WhatsApp numbers.

Use the Edupstairs Z83 Assistant for guided preparation and the ATS CV Assistant to structure your real skills and qualifications. Neither tool submits your application automatically.

The employer directs all applicants to Gauteng Government eRecruitment. No hand-delivered, emailed or faxed applications will be accepted.

1. Open the official Lay Counsellor advert, reference REFS/057385.
2. Register or sign in to your personal Gauteng eRecruitment account using the official website.
3. Confirm that the vacancy title, reference, number of posts and closing date match this article.
4. Answer the online screening questions accurately, including the RTCQI certificate question.
5. Complete all required personal, qualification and experience information without exaggeration.
6. Upload the signed new Z83 form, current detailed CV and any other files required by the portal.
7. Review every field and upload; submit before 20 November 2026, noting no closing time was provided.
8. Keep your submission acknowledgement or confirmation if the system provides one.

For technical help with the online application, the employer provides healthjobqueries@gauteng.gov.za for queries. This is not an application-by-email route.

A rushed application can fail for reasons unrelated to your potential. Check the ordinary paperwork before the deadline.

• Assuming Matric alone is enough and overlooking RTCQI.
• Using another HAST reference, such as a Data Capturer or Teletracer reference.
• Submitting an unsigned, incomplete or old Z83 form.
• Attaching a generic or outdated CV without genuine relevant skills.
• Treating one year of HIV counselling experience as an absolute requirement when the advert calls it an advantage.
• Emailing or hand-delivering an application when the employer requires online submission.
• Using unofficial recruiters, paying placement fees or entering sensitive information on imitation websites.

A confident applicant verifies the basics, then applies honestly—not by inventing credentials or relying on a supposed “guaranteed shortlist” service.

Adapt your CV to the vacancy using skills and examples you can substantiate. You can include relevant counselling training, authorised testing experience, confidentiality, client communication, basic Microsoft Office, record accuracy, time management and collaboration.

If you hold RTCQI, record the certificate title and issuer accurately, and only add certificate numbers or completion dates that appear on your real documentation. If you have served in an authorised HIV testing programme, describe the duties you actually performed under supervision.

If you have no previous formal employment but meet the certificates and qualifications, you may describe genuine volunteering, school activities or customer-service skills. Never describe personal helping experience as clinical HIV counselling employment if it was not.

Start with Create an ATS CV on Edupstairs and use the exact vacancy title and employer requirements when prompted.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked about confidentiality, consent, the 5Cs, HIV and TB programme knowledge, communication, basic data recording and public-service ethics. The employer may also administer a relevant skills or knowledge test.

• Be able to explain the five Cs in your own words.
• Know why RTCQI and quality controls matter.
• Prepare a truthful example of sensitive, non-judgemental communication.
• Explain what you would do if a client refuses to consent.
• Understand when to refer a medical concern to an authorised professional.
• Review basic recordkeeping, confidentiality and Batho Pele principles.

These are Edupstairs preparation suggestions, not leaked interview questions or a guaranteed description of the department’s assessment. Follow the employer’s specific instructions if shortlisted.

Fictional situation: A person is anxious and asks that their health information not be discussed with a relative. The relative later requests the result.

A responsible response is to safeguard confidentiality, follow authorised disclosure and identity-verification procedures, and avoid confirming or denying someone’s private medical status without lawful permission.

Second fictional situation: A client is not ready to consent to an HIV test. The counselling approach is respectful information-sharing and following the applicable voluntary consent process—not intimidation or threats.

Use the associated interactive knowledge checks to practise judgement. They are educational examples only, not official HIV testing or counselling certification.

The employer expects knowledge of Batho Pele, South Africa’s public-service approach to putting people first. In this role, that includes listening, courtesy, access to information, fair service, privacy and respect.

In a healthcare setting, being efficient must never come at the expense of client dignity or the quality of information. Counsellors also need to collaborate with clinic staff, community structures and authorised referral partners.

If you are preparing an interview response, describe the tension between meeting deadlines and protecting quality. Give examples showing you can work calmly under pressure without cutting ethical corners.

For readers interested in health services, counselling, social support or public-sector administration beyond this specific vacancy, Edupstairs provides independent career and education resources.

• University Explorer — Compare university courses, admission requirements and study options.
• TVET College Explorer — Review public TVET programmes, institutions and application information.
• Careers & Qualifications Explorer — Examine South African occupations, SAQA qualifications and qualification levels.
• Career Discovery — Explore careers that may align with your interests; not an employment eligibility test.
• National Skills Intelligence Explorer — Research occupation classifications and SETA-reported skills evidence.
• SETA Platform — Explore HWSETA and other sector-based training pathways.
• ATS CV and Cover Letter Assistant — Prepare a truthful CV tailored to a specific vacancy.
• Z83 Assistant — Work through the prescribed government employment form.
• Government Entry-Level Jobs Explorer — Compare other posts whose qualifications you meet.

These tools are optional Edupstairs resources. They do not amend the job advertisement, waive the RTCQI requirement, issue an RTCQI certificate or guarantee employment.

The following are real Edupstairs articles and job directories. Each relates to a separate advertisement; never transfer the Lay Counsellor reference or deadline to another job.

• Limpopo Education Administration Clerk Vacancies 2026 (X1,040) — Matric-level education support posts in Limpopo; check its own deadline and verification note.
• Department of Correctional Services Various Vacancies 2027 — Separate public-service roles with their own education and experience conditions.
• Pikitup General Worker Vacancies 2026 (X150) — Grade 10 recruitment; check experience conditions and its differing printed deadlines.
• DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular 37 of 2026 — Overview of multiple public-sector occupations; many listed dates have passed.
• DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular 34 of 2026 — Entry-level roles across government; individual vacancies may already have closed.
• Latest Government Entry-Level Jobs on Edupstairs — Searchable government vacancies and application details.
• Latest Government Vacancies Published on Edupstairs — Browse newly published government job guides and check each official recruitment notice.
• Edupstairs Careers and Vacancies Directory — Further jobs and opportunity articles with differing entry requirements.

Some older linked vacancy articles may describe opportunities whose deadlines have passed. Always check the dated official employer notice, and use the updated Government Vacancies category to find newer postings.

A good job article should lead to practical action, not only clicks. Begin with the official requirements, prepare the correct government documents and investigate career alternatives if you do not meet RTCQI.

1. Verify the source: Gauteng Health Lay Counsellor advert.
2. Prepare the form: Guided new Z83 Assistant.
3. Build your CV: ATS-ready CV Creator.
4. Understand qualifications: Career and Qualification Explorer.
5. Find study options: University Explorer and TVET College Explorer.
6. Explore skills: National Skills Intelligence Explorer and SETA Platform.
7. Identify career interests: Career Discovery Assessment.
8. Find other jobs: DPSA Entry-Level Jobs and Government Vacancies.

For additional general guidance you can explore Ask Edupstairs AI. Do not submit patient-identifying information, personal health records or another person’s identity documents to a chatbot.

The official government vacancy page states that, due to application volume, applications will not necessarily be acknowledged. If applicants receive no response within three months, they should regard their applications as unsuccessful.

Suitable candidates may be subjected to criminal-record, citizenship, credit-record, qualification and employment checks, and where applicable a knowledge or skills assessment. Medical surveillance may also be required for the recommended candidate in accordance with occupational health and safety obligations.

Shortlisting does not guarantee appointment. The Department reserves the right not to fill posts, and explicitly encourages women and persons with disabilities to apply. No special application fee is described in the official vacancy.

Disclaimer: Edupstairs is an independent South African career-information and educational platform, not the Gauteng Department of Health or an authorised recruitment agency. Edupstairs does not receive applications, conduct clinical assessments, certify HIV counsellors, shortlist candidates or guarantee appointment.

Primary source: Gauteng Government Professional Job Centre — Lay Counsellor REFS/057385, checked on 9 November 2026. The employer’s information includes 50 posts, five districts, Grade 12/equivalent, compulsory RTCQI, advertised advantages, R144,024 Level 2 annual salary, Z83/CV submission requirements and the 20 November deadline.

Supporting policy context: The South African National HIV Testing Services Policy 2025 provides background on consent, privacy, quality improvement, training and referral. Policy context does not amend this employer’s recruitment criteria or verify any private training provider.

Editorial standards: No age restriction, employment guarantee, district allocation, commencement date, contract duration, paid course, clinical certificate waiver, extra compulsory qualification or closing time has been invented. The article uses ethical curiosity and urgency about authentic recruitment details, without making false promises or stigmatising people living with HIV.

Protect yourself: Apply only through the official Gauteng Government eRecruitment website. Never pay for guaranteed placement or share other people’s health records in a job application. For anything suspicious, use the Edupstairs Scam Detector Tool as an additional warning-sign resource, not as an official employer verification service.