National Certificate: Business Administration Services
> SAQA ID: 67465
> NQF Level: 3
> Credits: 120
> Duration: 12 months
About the Business Administration course
The National Certificate: Business Administration Services develops the practical administrative skills needed to support the day-to-day operation of a business or organisation. Learners build capability in workplace communication, information and record management, office technology, meetings, basic finance, research, teamwork and general business administration.
Because these skills are used across almost every industry, the qualification provides a broad foundation for people entering administration as well as employees who want to formalise and extend their existing workplace skills.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is suited to people who want to enter administration as well as employees already performing administrative work who want to formalise and broaden their skills.
It can be applied across businesses, government and non-commercial organisations because administrative skills are not limited to one sector. Relevant roles can include administrative assistants, administrators, clerks and secretarial or office-support positions.
What will you be able to do?
On completion of the qualification, learners develop the ability to:
Manage workplace information: gather, organise, maintain and report information using appropriate administrative systems.
Communicate professionally: produce workplace documents and communicate effectively with different audiences and colleagues.
Use business technology: create and process information using tools such as word-processing and spreadsheet software.
Coordinate meetings and arrangements: prepare meeting communications and help organise meetings, minor events, bookings and travel.
Support office operations: manage office supplies, equipment, information systems and routine administrative processes.
Work effectively in a business environment: contribute as part of a team, understand workplace relationships and handle administrative problems appropriately.
Conduct basic workplace research: find, assess and organise information to support administrative tasks and business needs.
How is the qualification structured?
Unlike the QCTO Occupational Qualifications, this is a unit-standard-based Legacy Qualification. Its 120 credits are organised into three components:
Fundamental (45 credits)
Compulsory learning in areas such as communication, writing, numeracy and business calculations.
Core (64 credits)
Compulsory administrative capability including information systems, office technology, meetings, research, teamwork, business environments and office operations.
Elective (minimum 11 credits)
Allows selected learning in areas such as reception, customer service, finance, banking, legal administration and related business functions.
Business Administration Course Modules
| Module | Explanation | Credits | SAQA ID | NQF |
| The Business Environment | This module focuses on understanding how a business operates, functioning effectively within the workplace, and maintaining a safe and secure working environment through responsible conduct and adherence to organisational procedures. | 15 | 14357 | 4 |
| 7785 | ||||
| 7796 | 3 | |||
| Business Communication | These modules focus on effective verbal and non-verbal communication in the workplace, ensuring messages are clearly delivered and adapted to suit different audiences and contexts. | 13 | 9960 | 3 |
| 8968 | 3 | |||
| Business Writing Skills | Interpret and use information from texts. Write texts for a range of communicative contexts. | 10 | 8969 | 3 |
| 8970 | 3 | |||
| Numeracy Skills | Demonstrate understanding of different number bases and measurement units and recognize errors in calculations. Investigate life- and work-related problems using data and probability. Describe, apply, analyse, and calculate shape and motion in 2D and 3D space in various contexts. | 11 | 9010 | 3 |
| 9012 | 3 | |||
| 9013 | 3 | |||
| Financial Administration | Use mathematics to analyze and monitor financial aspects of personal, business, and national matters. Perform basic business calculations. | 11 | 7456 | 3 |
| 11241 | 3 | |||
| Business Finance | Apply basic accounting principles in financial services. Interpret financial statements and manage expenditure against a budget. | 14 | 11711 | 3 |
| 117156 | 4 | |||
| 242810 | 4 | |||
| PC Skills | Produce business documents using word processing and spreadsheets. | 10 | 7570 | 3 |
| 7567 | 3 | |||
| Teamwork Skills | Demonstrate understanding of employment relations within an organisation. Work effectively in a team, support new staff, and use communication skills to manage workplace conflict. | 8 | 10170 | 3 |
| 8420 | 2 | |||
| 7860 | 3 | |||
| 9533 | 3 | |||
| Meeting Administration | Coordinate meetings, small events, and travel arrangements. Plan and prepare meeting communications. | 7 | 13929 | 3 |
| 13934 | 3 | |||
| Business Administration | Monitor and control office supplies and equipment maintenance. Plan and manage information and booking systems in a business environment. | 12 | 13937 | 3 |
| 13931 | 3 | |||
| 13933 | 3 | |||
| 7706 | 3 | |||
| Business Research | Plan and conduct basic office research. Demonstrate the ability to use the World Wide Web. | 9 | 13935 | 3 |
| 7573 | 2 |
What prior learning do you need?
Learners entering the qualification are expected to already be competent in:
– Communication at NQF Level 2
– Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2
The qualification also supports Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), meaning relevant skills and knowledge gained through previous education or workplace experience may be assessed and recognised towards the qualification where the applicable requirements are met.
How is the qualification assessed?
Assessment is designed to test whether learners can apply their administrative knowledge and skills together in realistic workplace situations, rather than assessing individual concepts only in isolation.
Assessment may include workplace evidence as well as practical activities, simulations, case studies and role-plays. Both formative and summative assessment are used, with areas such as communication and numeracy assessed within authentic administration contexts wherever possible.
What career path can this qualification support?
The qualification develops administrative capability relevant to roles such as administrator, administrative assistant, clerk, secretary and other office-support positions.
Its skills can also be applied in more specialised administrative environments including reception, financial administration, banking administration, executive or secretarial support and data capturing.
