If you’re a fresh graduate looking for real work experience and a steady income, the Graduate Internship Programme 2026 from the Department of Employment and Labour might be exactly what you’ve been searching for. The deadline is fast‑approaching – 27 February 2026 – so acting now could mean the difference between a paid, structured internship and a prolonged job search.
What the Programme Offers
The Compensation Fund is rolling out a 24‑month internship that places you in various provincial offices and labour centres across South Africa. You’ll work in a real public‑service environment, gaining hands‑on experience in:
- Finance and financial administration
- Medical Services and payments
- Claims registration and support
- COID services and benefits processing
- Pension administration
- General administration and quality assurance
Each placement lasts the full 24 months, giving you continuity and the chance to develop deep, transferable skills.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is open to:
- Unemployed South African graduates
- Those aged 18–35
- Applicants who have never taken a graduate internship before
- Graduates holding a three‑year tertiary qualification (NQF Level 6) that matches the specific post
What You Gain
Besides a monthly stipend of R7 860.50, you’ll:
- Build a professional network in a public service setting
- Acquire practical skills that employers value
- Receive structured training and mentorship
- Improve your CV and future job prospects
- Potentially open doors to permanent employment within the Department
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Choose the post that matches your skills and interests. Each post has a reference number (see below).
- Download the new Z83 application form from the Department’s website.
- Complete the form, initial each page, and sign it.
- Update your CV to reflect your most recent experiences and skills.
- Combine the Z83 form and CV into a single PDF file.
- Send the PDF to the appropriate email address with the job reference number in the subject line. If you prefer, you may hand‑deliver the application to the address listed for your province.
- Keep a copy of your application and any confirmation emails.
Posts by Province (Reference Numbers)
KwaZulu‑Natal
- Finance Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/1
- Medical Services Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/2
- Admin Assistance (Office of the Director & Deputy Director) Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/3
- Claim Registration Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/4
- Medical Payments Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/5
- Medical Services Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/6
- Claims Registration Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/7
- Medical Payments Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/8
- Medical Services Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/9
- Claims Registration Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/10
- Medical Payments Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/11
Enquiries: Ms V Maninjwa – (031) 366 2026
Gauteng
- Finance COID Sub‑Directorate Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/12
- Claims Registration Internship (x5) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/13
- Claims Registration Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/14
- Medical Payments Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/15
- Claims Registration Internship (x4) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/16
- Medical Payments Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/17
- Human Resource Management Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/18
- Medical Services Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/19
Enquiries: Mr P Phooko – 064 864 4652
Limpopo
- Admin Assistance Quality Assurance Labour Centre Support Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/20
- Legal Support Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/21
- Assistant Director Support Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/22
- Claim Registration Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/23
- Customer Care & Quality Assurance Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/24
- Medical Payments Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/25
- Medical Services Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/26
- Claim Registration QA & Customer Care Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/27
- Medical Payments QA Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/28
- Medical Services Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/29
- Claim Registration QA & Customer Care Internship (x3) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/30
- Medical Payments Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/31
- Medical Services Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/32
Enquiries: Ms S Lebogo – (015) 290 1662 / 1768 / 1699
Mpumalanga
- Medical Services Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/33
- Assistant Admin Director’s Office Internship – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/34
- COID Services Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/35
- COID Services Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/36
- COID Services Internship (x2) – Ref: HR 5/1/2/3/37
Enquiries: Mr Oko Mpongwana / Ms Tebogo Mohlala – (013) 655 8700
Other Provinces
Finance, Medical Services, Admin Assistance, Claims Registration, Medical Payments, Benefits Processing/Adjudication, Pension Administration and COID Services posts are also available in the North West, Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Key locations include Mmabatho, Rustenburg, Klerksdorp, Mafikeng, Bloemfontein, Bethlehem, Welkom, Kimberley, Upington, Cape Town, Bellville, George, East London, Mthatha, Gqeberha, Komani/Queenstown and more.
Where and How to Send Your Application
KwaZulu‑Natal (Durban)
Email: JOBS-KZN8@labour.gov.za or JOBS-KZN14@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, 267 Anton Lembede Street, Royal Hotel, Durban, 4001
Attention: Human Resource Management KwaZulu‑Natal Provincial Office
Gauteng (Parktown)
Email: Jobs-GPCF1@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, 47 Empire Road, Parktown
Attention: Human Resource Management Gauteng Provincial Office
Limpopo (Polokwane)
Email: CFJobsLP@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, Private Bag X9368, Polokwane, 0700
Hand Delivery: 42a Schoeman Street, Polokwane
Centre Emails: CFJobsMOD@labour.gov.za / CFJobsPLK@labour.gov.za / CFJobsTZN@labour.gov.za
Mpumalanga (Emalahleni)
Email: Jobs-MPU-HRD@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, Private Bag X7263, Emalahleni, 1035
Hand Delivery: Labour Building, Corner Hofmeyer Street and Beatty Avenue, Emalahleni
North West (Mmabatho)
Email: JobsNW10@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, Private Bag X2040, Mmabatho, 2735
Hand Delivery: Provident House, University Drive, Mmabatho
Free State (Bloemfontein)
Email: Jobs-FS4@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, Private Bag X522, Bloemfontein, 9300
Hand Delivery: Laboria House, 43 Charlotte Maxeke, Bloemfontein
Northern Cape (Kimberley)
Email: JobsNCKIM@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, Private Bag X5012, Kimberley, 8301
Hand Delivery: Cnr Compound and Pniel Road
Western Cape (Cape Town)
Email: WesternCapeHRM@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, 9 Long Street, 6th Floor, Cape Town, 8001
Eastern Cape (East London)
Email Examples: Jobs-EC9@labour.gov.za / Jobs-EC2@labour.gov.za / Jobs-ECQTN@labour.gov.za / Jobs-ECELN@labour.gov.za / Jobs-ECUTT@labour.gov.za / Jobs-ECPLZ@labour.gov.za
Address: Chief Director: Provincial Operations, No. 3 Hill Street, East London
Documents You Need
- A completed, initialled and signed Z83 application form (new version)
- An up‑to‑date CV
Send the two documents as a single PDF. Certified copies of your qualifications and other paperwork are typically required only if you are shortlisted.
Important Notes & What Happens Next
- Applications are accepted until 27 February 2026 – 16:00 for walk‑ins, 23:59 for online/email submissions.
- Because the application volume is high, you might not receive an acknowledgement. If you haven’t heard back within 8 weeks after the deadline, consider your application unsuccessful.
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo suitability checks: criminal record, citizenship, credit record, qualification verification and employment verification.
- Applicants must declare any pending criminal, disciplinary or investigative matters.
- The Department reserves the right not to make any appointments.
Ready to Take the Leap?
Use the official link to submit your application: Department of Employment and Labour – Opportunities. Gather your documents, choose the right post, and send a single PDF to the email address that matches your province. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable experience, earn a stipend and build a future in a reputable public‑service role.
