How debt review works

Debt review fees and costs explained

By Lerato Molefe · 6 min read · Updated 24 June 2026

Debt review fees are regulated maximums set by the National Credit Regulator: a R50 application fee upfront, an admin fee up to R300, a once-off restructuring fee up to R8,000 (R9,000 for couples in community of property), a monthly after-care fee of 5% of your instalment capped at R450, and a PDA fee of R15 per payment over R500.

These are ceilings, not quotes. A registered counsellor must tell you exactly what you will pay before you sign, and 2026 rules tighten that disclosure.

This page breaks down every fee, when it is charged and how to spot a counsellor overcharging you.

The full fee table

Fee	Regulated maximum	When charged
Application fee	R50	Once, upfront
Admin fee	Up to R300	Early in the process
Restructuring fee (once-off)	Up to R8,000 (R9,000 for couples in community of property)	Once, spread into early payments
Monthly after-care fee	5% of instalment, max R450/month	Every month
PDA fee	R15 per payment over R500	Every payment

All figures are NCR-regulated maximums. A counsellor may charge less but not more.

How the fees are paid

You do not pay these fees in a separate lump sum on top of your debt. Apart from the R50 application fee, they are built into your monthly debt-review payment. The payment distribution agent takes the fees and your creditor payments out of that single amount.

In the first few months a larger share of your payment goes to the once-off restructuring fee, so less reaches creditors early on. This is normal, but ask your counsellor for a breakdown so you can see it.

What 'regulated by the NCR' means

These fees are not invented by individual firms. The NCR sets the maximum a debt counsellor can charge. That protects you: any counsellor charging above these ceilings is breaking the rules, and you can report them to the NCR at dccomplaints@ncr.org.za.

The 2026 updates add tighter upfront fee-transparency rules, so you should receive a clear written breakdown before you commit.

Red flags on fees

Be cautious if a counsellor:

Will not give you a written fee breakdown before you sign.
Charges more than the regulated maximums above.
Promises to 'remove' debt review for a large fee (your own counsellor issues the clearance certificate for the cost of the certificate).
Pressures you to sign immediately.

A reputable counsellor explains every rand. If something feels off, verify the firm on ncr.org.za and walk away if needed.

Frequently asked questions

How much does debt review cost in South Africa?

Fees are NCR-regulated maximums: a R50 application fee, admin up to R300, a once-off restructuring fee up to R8,000 (R9,000 for couples in community of property), and a monthly after-care fee of 5% of your instalment capped at R450, plus PDA fees.

Are debt review fees paid upfront?

Only the R50 application fee is upfront. The rest are added into your monthly debt-review payment, so you do not pay a separate lump sum on top of your debt.

What is the monthly fee for debt review?

The monthly after-care fee is 5% of your instalment, capped at R450 per month, plus a PDA fee of R15 per payment over R500. Both are taken from your single monthly payment.

Is debt review free?

No. Debt review has regulated fees added to your payment. The application itself is only R50, but admin, restructuring and monthly after-care fees apply. Be wary of anyone promising it is completely free.

Can a debt counsellor charge more than the NCR limits?

No. The figures are regulated maximums. A counsellor charging above them is breaking the rules, and you can report it to the NCR at dccomplaints@ncr.org.za.

Why does so little go to my creditors at first?

The once-off restructuring fee is taken in the early months, so a larger share of your initial payments covers fees. This is normal; ask your counsellor for a written breakdown to see it clearly.