Are you a graduate looking for a way to start your career right now? Free State Department of Health is offering 99 paid graduate internships that could give you the experience you need.
What the internship is
The Free State Department of Health will run a 24‑month Graduate Internship Programme in 2026. The internships are based in hospitals, district offices and health facilities across the Free State. The programme offers a stipend of R98 087 per year – about R8 174 each month.
Who can apply
To be eligible you must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Have finished Grade 12
- Hold a relevant NQF Level 6 (National Diploma) or Level 7/8 (Degree) qualification for the chosen field
- Be an unemployed graduate
- Not have completed a 24‑month government internship before
- Be registered with the HPCSA if you apply for the Dental Assistant post
Applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds will be given preference.
What you will gain
- Hands‑on experience in a public‑health setting
- Professional skills in your chosen field (e.g., Office Management, Finance, IT, Supply Chain, Dental Assistance, Built Environment, HR, Data Analysis)
- A full‑time salary that can help you become financially independent
- Network connections within the provincial health system
How to apply – step by step
- Visit the official e‑Recruitment portal: Free State Department of Health e‑Recruitment.
- Register a new account or log in if you already have one.
- Search for “Graduate Internship Programme 2026”.
- Choose the field that matches your qualification (see list below) and note the reference number.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload a current, detailed CV. No certified copies are needed at this stage.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
Available internship fields
- Office Management – 27 posts
- Finance Management – 23 posts
- Information Technology – 19 posts
- Supply Chain / Public Management / Financial Management – 10 posts
- Dental Assistant – 6 posts (must be HPCSA registered)
- Supply Chain Management – 5 posts
- Quantity Surveying / Architecture / Building Construction – 5 posts
- Human Resource Management – 3 posts
- Data Analyst – 1 post
Total positions: 99
Documents you will need
When you are shortlisted, you may be asked for:
- Certified copy of your ID
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate
- Certified copies of your tertiary qualifications
- Academic transcript
- Proof of HPCSA registration (Dental Assistant only)
Keep these documents ready so you can upload them quickly if requested.
Tips to improve your chances
- Read the vacancy description carefully and match your qualification exactly.
- Tailor your CV to highlight relevant coursework, projects or part‑time work.
- Apply early – the portal closes on 04 September 2026 and late submissions are not accepted.
- Make sure you have never completed another 24‑month government internship.
- Double‑check that all information entered is correct before submitting.
Next steps
If you meet the criteria, start preparing your CV and gather the required documents now. Log onto the e‑Recruitment portal, choose the internship that fits your study, and submit your application before 04 September 2026. This could be the first step toward a rewarding career in health administration.
