The axial form factor as well as the axial charge of octet baryons are studied in the perturbative chiral quark model (PCQM) with the quark wave functions predetermined by fitting the theoretical results of the proton charge form factor to experimental data. The theoretical results are found, based on the predetermined quark wave functions, in good agreement with experimental data and lattice values. This may indicate that the electric charge and axial charge distributions of the constituent quarks are the same. The study reveals that the meson cloud plays an important role in the axial charge of octet baryons, contributing 30%-40% to the total values, and strange sea quarks have a considerable contribution to the axial charge of the $Sigma$ and $Xi$.