Free employment contract generator (South Africa)

Create a BCEA-compliant permanent, fixed-term or domestic worker contract and download it free as a PDF or editable Word document. No signup.

What goes into a South African employment contract

Every employee in South Africa is entitled to written particulars of employment under section 29 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. That means the contract must spell out who the parties are, the job and where it is done, working hours, pay and how often it is paid, deductions, leave, and the notice needed to end the job. This generator walks you through each of those so nothing required is left out.

Permanent employment contracts

A permanent contract runs for an indefinite period until either side gives notice. It is the standard agreement for a full-time or ongoing part-time hire and sets out the role, pay, hours and the statutory leave the employee builds up. You can add a probation period for the start of employment.

Fixed-term employment contracts

A fixed-term contract ends on a set date or when a specific project finishes, which suits maternity cover, seasonal work or a defined piece of work. Under section 198B of the Labour Relations Act, a fixed term longer than three months usually needs a justifiable reason, so the generator asks you to record one. See the dedicated fixed-term contract template for more.

Domestic worker contracts

Domestic workers — including gardeners and au pairs — are entitled to a written contract, and a separate sectoral determination sets their minimum wage and conditions. The domestic worker option applies the four-week notice rule for workers employed longer than six months and caps any accommodation deduction at 10% of pay. See the dedicated domestic worker contract page, and if you also run their pay, the PAYE and UIF calculator works out what comes off the payslip.

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Common questions

Is this employment contract legally binding?
Yes. Once both the employer and employee sign it, the contract is a binding agreement. It is built around the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), which sets the minimum terms every South African employment contract must meet. For complex or high-risk roles, have a labour-law professional review it before signing.
What must a South African employment contract include?
Section 29 of the BCEA requires written particulars covering the parties, the job and place of work, hours, pay and how often it is paid, deductions, leave, and notice periods. This generator captures each of these so the contract has the legally required terms.
Do I need a written contract for a domestic worker?
Yes. Domestic workers are entitled to written particulars of employment just like any other employee, and a separate sectoral determination sets minimum wages and conditions. The domestic worker option here applies the four-week notice rule and the 10% cap on accommodation deductions.
What's the difference between a permanent and a fixed-term contract?
A permanent contract runs indefinitely until either party gives notice. A fixed-term contract ends on a set date or when a project finishes. Fixed-term contracts longer than three months generally need a justifiable reason under section 198B of the Labour Relations Act.
Can I edit the contract after downloading it?
Yes. Download the Word (.docx) version and edit it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs or any word processor. The PDF is best for printing and signing as-is.
Is it really free?
Yes, completely free and there is no signup. You fill in the details, preview the contract, and download it as a PDF or Word document.

This generator produces a template to get you started, not legal advice. It covers the terms the BCEA requires, but every workplace is different. For complex or high-risk arrangements, have a labour-law professional review the contract before you sign.