Debt Review
A formal, legally regulated process that restructures your debt repayments into one affordable monthly plan.
What it is
Debt review (also called debt counselling) is a formal process created by the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 and regulated by the National Credit Regulator (NCR). A debt counsellor registered with the NCR assesses whether you’re over-indebted — meaning you can’t comfortably meet all your credit repayments alongside your reasonable living expenses.
If you’re found to be over-indebted, your debt counsellor works out a restructured repayment plan across your credit agreements and, where the process is completed through the courts or the National Consumer Tribunal, that plan can become a legally binding order.
Who may benefit
People who are keeping up with debt repayments only with difficulty, juggling multiple credit accounts, or worried about falling behind may benefit from an assessment. Debt review isn’t automatically the right fit for everyone — some people are better suited to debt mediation, or don’t need either. That’s exactly what an assessment is for.
What the assessment involves
A debt counsellor looks at your income, your reasonable living expenses and every credit agreement you hold, to work out whether you’re over-indebted and, if so, what a sustainable restructured payment could look like. You’ll need to provide documents such as payslips, bank statements and account statements for your debts.
What the next step looks like
If debt review goes ahead, your credit providers are notified, and — provided you keep to the process — you generally gain protection from further legal action while it’s underway. A single restructured payment is typically made through a registered payment distribution agent, who allocates it to your credit providers according to the agreed plan.
Important limitations
- Not everyone qualifies — you need to be assessed as over-indebted, and your credit providers need to be able to work with the proposed plan.
- Your credit providers aren’t obliged to accept every proposed repayment term; some negotiation may be needed, and in some cases a matter may need to go before a court or the National Consumer Tribunal.
- Being under debt review is reflected on your credit record for as long as the process runs. This is a normal, expected part of formal debt review.
- Interest rates and monthly instalments are not guaranteed to reduce — any change depends on what’s agreed with each credit provider.
- While you’re under debt review, taking on new credit is generally restricted.
Not sure this is the right fit?
Debt mediation is a lighter-touch, informal alternative. Debt review removal applies if you’re already under debt review and want to understand your options for exiting the process.
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Related guides
Debt review: read more
Debt Counselling
Debt Counselling in South Africa: How It Works
A plain-language walkthrough of what actually happens during formal debt review — from your first assessment to what protection it gives you along the way.
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Debt Review vs Debt Mediation Explained
Formal debt review carries legal protection; informal mediation does not. Here's what actually separates them, and how to think about which fits.
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