What's changed in National Credit Act compliance

The headline reform for South African credit regulation — free debt intervention for the poorest over-indebted consumers under the National Credit Amendment Act 7 of 2019 — remains law on the books but has still not commenced. Day-to-day, the NCR's active compliance work has been reissuing and tightening its Form 39 statistical return guidance and its credit bureau data-reporting fee guideline.

Reviewed by TefCo Compliance Research — last verified 15 September 2026.

In short

The National Credit Amendment Act 7 of 2019, which creates debt intervention under new sections 86A and 87A, was published in August 2019 but still has no presidential commencement proclamation.
Until it commences, over-indebted consumers below the proposed debt intervention thresholds still rely on ordinary debt review through a registered debt counsellor.
The NCR reissued Circular 5 of 2025 restating the obligatory nature of Form 39 statistical return submission.
A March 2024 NCR fee guideline governs fees payable for credit bureau data reporting under the Regulation 19(13) guideline.

Debt intervention: passed, not in force

The National Credit Amendment Act 7 of 2019 would let a natural person earning R7 500 or less a month, with unsecured debt of no more than R50 000 and no realisable assets, apply to the NCR and National Consumer Tribunal to have that debt re-arranged, suspended or extinguished. It was signed and gazetted in August 2019, but section 32 leaves commencement to a date fixed by presidential proclamation, and as of the most recent public reporting no such proclamation has been issued.

For credit providers and debt counsellors, this means the existing debt review process under the National Credit Act remains the only operative debt relief mechanism for now — debt intervention is not something a consumer can currently apply for, however often it is referenced in the media.

Do not tell a consumer they qualify for statutory debt intervention until the Act has actually commenced. Confirm commencement status with the NCR or a current legal source before relying on it.

Form 39 restated, not changed

The NCR's Circular 5 of 2025 restates the existing Form 39 obligation under regulation 64 of the National Credit Regulations rather than introducing new thresholds or dates. Its purpose was compliance emphasis: registrants who had treated Form 39 as optional or informal were reminded it is a statutory return.

Credit bureau data reporting fees

The NCR's Fee Guideline 01/2024, issued in March 2024 under the Regulation 19(13) guideline, sets out fees payable to the South African Credit and Risk Reporting Association for onboarding, ongoing use of the Data Transmission Hub, and monitoring and reporting by credit and data providers. Any entity supplying data to credit bureaux should check whether this guideline applies to its reporting arrangement.

Frequently asked

Can a consumer apply for debt intervention right now?

No. The National Credit Amendment Act 7 of 2019 that would create debt intervention has not commenced. Ordinary debt review through a registered debt counsellor remains the available route.

Did the Form 39 thresholds or due dates change in 2025?

No change to the R15 million disbursement threshold or the 15 February annual date was found — the 2025 circular restates the existing regulation 64 obligation.

Who needs to check the Regulation 19(13) fee guideline?

Any credit provider or data provider that submits data to credit bureaux, since the guideline sets out the fees payable for onboarding and ongoing use of the Data Transmission Hub.

Sources

TefCo Corporate Compliance (Pty) Ltd is a compliance management platform, not a legal, tax or advisory firm. This guide is general information, not advice. Fees, dates and thresholds change — confirm current figures with the regulator before you rely on them.