Yes — the CCMA has a free official online platform for referring disputes. It's called the CCMA digital case referral and application platform, available at cmsonline.ccma.org.za and through the CCMAConnect mobile app. You can submit LRA Form 7.11, request arbitration, and apply for condonation without physically visiting a CCMA office.
This guide explains exactly what you can and can't do online, so you know what to expect before you start.
Not sure where this fits in the bigger picture? See the complete step-by-step guide to filing your own CCMA case.
What you can actually do on the online platform
Available online
Referring a dispute (Form 7.11), requesting arbitration if conciliation fails (Form 7.13), and applying for condonation if you've missed the 30-day deadline.
Still happens in person or by phone
Conciliation and arbitration hearings themselves. The platform gets your case started digitally — it doesn't replace the actual hearing.
Is it actually free?
Yes. Referring a dispute to the CCMA has never had a filing fee, whether you do it on paper or online. There is no cost to submit Form 7.11, request arbitration, or apply for condonation through the platform. Be wary of any third-party site that asks you to pay to "process" or "submit" your CCMA referral — the official platform is entirely free.
How to refer your dispute online
- Go to cmsonline.ccma.org.za directly, or open the CCMAConnect app.
- Select "Refer a dispute to the CCMA (LRA Form 7.11)" from the platform's form list.
- Complete the form with accurate details — your information, your employer's exact registered legal name, and the nature of your dispute. The same section-by-section guidance applies whether you're filling in the paper form or the online version.
- Submit — you should receive confirmation that your referral has been lodged.
Applying for condonation online
If you've missed your 30-day deadline, the condonation application can also be completed at cmsonline.ccma.org.za, or downloaded and emailed to your regional CCMA office. Once submitted, your employer has 5 days to oppose the application, you then have 3 days to respond, and a commissioner decides — often based on the written submissions alone, without a separate in-person hearing for the condonation ruling itself.
See the full guide on condonation applications and what a commissioner actually weighs.
What the online platform doesn't change
- You still need to serve your employer. Filing online doesn't remove the requirement to deliver a copy of your referral to your employer and keep proof of service.
- Your hearing is generally still in person. Conciliation and arbitration are typically conducted at a CCMA office. Some matters may proceed telephonically at a commissioner's discretion, but don't assume this applies to you — check your hearing notice carefully.
- The 30-day deadline is identical. Online filing is a submission method, not a different set of rules.
Should you file online or on paper?
Either is valid, and the CCMA treats both the same. Online is often faster to submit and gives you an immediate digital record. Paper (downloaded, completed, and emailed or hand-delivered) can be easier if you're more comfortable filling in a document by hand first, or if you don't have reliable internet access. What matters far more than the method is getting the content right — the same mistakes (wrong employer name, incomplete sections, missing the deadline) sink cases regardless of how the form was submitted.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refer a CCMA case online?
Yes. The CCMA runs a free digital case referral and application platform at cmsonline.ccma.org.za, also accessible through the CCMAConnect app, where you can submit LRA Form 7.11 to refer an unfair dismissal dispute for conciliation.
Does it cost anything to file a CCMA case online?
No. Referring a dispute to the CCMA, whether online or on paper, is completely free. There is no filing fee for Form 7.11, a condonation application, or a request for arbitration.
Can I apply for condonation online if I missed the deadline?
Yes. The condonation application form can be completed online at cmsonline.ccma.org.za or downloaded and emailed to your regional CCMA office. Your employer then has 5 days to oppose it, and you have 3 days to respond, before a commissioner decides.
Does filing online mean my whole case happens online?
No. The online platform covers referring and submitting forms digitally. Conciliation and arbitration hearings themselves are still generally conducted at a CCMA office, though a commissioner may in some cases allow a matter to proceed telephonically. Don't assume your hearing will be virtual — check your notice.