Many South African graduates feel stuck after studying. You have a qualification, but little workplace experience. The Department of Transport Graduate Internship Programme for 2027–2029 is open now. Applications close on 09 October 2026. If you want structured training in transport, government administration, IT, finance, law, or planning, this is a chance you should not ignore.
What the Department of Transport internship is
The South African Department of Transport invites suitably qualified graduates to apply for its Graduate Internship Programme 2027–2029. The programme runs for 24 months.
Most posts are at the Pretoria Head Office in Gauteng. The Department is also recruiting 18 Public Transport and Town Planning interns across nine provinces. Each province has two posts. Provinces include Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.
The stipend starts from R8 174.75 per month. A higher qualification can attract a higher stipend, according to the official advert.
Available graduate internship posts
The programme includes these opportunities:
- Administration Intern (X2) – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/01 – Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs or Management.
- Internal Control and Compliance Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/02 – Financial Accounting, Accounting or Internal Auditing.
- Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Cluster Coordinators Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/03 – Public Management, Administration, Strategic Planning, Management or Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Corporate Legal Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/04 – LLB, BA Law or postgraduate Law qualification.
- Business Intelligence (Database Administration) Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/06 – IT, Computer Science or Informatics.
- IT Infrastructure Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/07 – IT, Computer Science or Informatics.
- Business Systems (Web Development) Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/08 – IT, Computer Science or Informatics.
- Labour Relations Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/09 – HR Management, Labour Relations, Labour Law or Industrial Relations.
- Human Resource Recruitment and Selection Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/10 – HR Management or Industrial Psychology.
- Human Resource Administration Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/11 – HR Management or Industrial Psychology.
- Employee Health and Wellness Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/12 – Safety Management, Environmental Health, Social Work or Psychology.
- Organisational Development Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/13 – Management Services, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering or Industrial Psychology.
- Change Management Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/14 – Management Services, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Psychology or HR Management.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/15 – GIS, Geography, Cartography, Geomatics or related field.
- Travel Services Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/16 – Public Administration, Public Management, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Finance or Tourism.
- Facilities Management Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/17 – Public Administration, Management, Financial Management or Supply Chain Management.
- Environmental Coordination Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/18 – Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Town Planning or transport-related field.
- Human Resource Development and PMDS Intern (X4) – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/19 – HR Management, HR Development or Industrial Psychology.
- Financial Administration Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/20 – Financial Management, Accounting, Public Finance or Cost and Management Accounting.
- Supply Chain Management Intern (X2) – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/21 – Supply Chain Management, Logistics or Procurement Management.
- Road Transport Research, Policy, Standards and Guidelines Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/22 – Civil Engineering.
- Road Safety Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/23 – Road Traffic Safety Management, Traffic Policing, Civil Engineering, Transport Management, Transport Planning or Data Analytics.
- Road Accident and Incident Investigation Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/24 – Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Road Crash Investigation.
- Maritime Security Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/25 – Maritime Security Management or Maritime Studies.
- Maritime Industry Development Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/26 – Maritime Studies, Shipping and Logistics, Transport Management, Transport Logistics or Transport Economics.
- Aviation Multilateral Affairs Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/27.
- Air Transport Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/28.
- Aviation Industry Development and Airfreight Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/29.
- Public Transport Network Development Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/30.
- Public Transport Network Development Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/31.
- Rail Infrastructure and Industry Development Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/32.
- Rail Service Delivery: Rail Operations Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/33.
- Rail Safety Regulation Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/34.
- Rail Policy and Strategic Development Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/35.
- Modelling and Macroeconomic Analysis Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/36.
- Freight Logistics Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/37.
- Black Economic Empowerment Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/38.
- Public Entity Finance Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/39.
- Governance Intern – Ref: DOT/GRAD/2026/41.
Public Transport and Town Planning internships (18 posts)
These provincial posts need a National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in fields such as:
- Transport Economics
- Transport Planning
- Transport Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Town and Regional Planning
- Relevant postgraduate qualifications
Who can apply
You must have already met the academic requirements for the internship field you choose. Match your qualification to the reference number you apply for.
If you previously completed an internship programme, you will be disqualified. Many applicants miss this rule and lose time. Read it carefully before you apply.
Appointments are subject to verification of qualifications, previous experience, citizenship, references and security vetting. If you apply for more than one field, you must send a separate Z83 form for each field.
What you can gain
You receive 24 months of workplace experience inside a national department. You can build skills in administration, finance, IT, human resources, legal work, engineering, planning, maritime, aviation, rail or public transport.
You also receive a monthly stipend from R8 174.75, based on your qualification. This is paid work experience, not unpaid volunteering. It can help you understand how government transport work is done in practice.
This programme is competitive. Many graduates apply for the same posts. Completing the internship does not guarantee a permanent job.
How to apply
Use the new Z83 application form. Clearly write the post title and reference number. Attach a comprehensive CV.
Submit your application by 09 October 2026.
General Graduate Internship Programme
- Email: graduateinternship@dot.gov.za
- Postal address: Department of Transport, Private Bag X193, Pretoria, 0001
- Hand delivery: Department of Transport, 159 Forum Building, Corner Struben and Bosman Street, Pretoria
Public Transport / Town Planning graduate internships
- Email: Publictransportinterns@dot.gov.za
Work Integrated Learning applications
- Email: studentinternship@dot.gov.za
The official advert uses separate email addresses for Graduate Internships, Work Integrated Learning and Public Transport internships. Use the correct inbox for the post you want.
Enquiries for the general programme: Ms Maria Mabitsela on 012 309 3383 or Ms Stephlyn Groep on 012 309 3737.
Public Transport internship enquiries: Ms Jennifer Dikgale on 012 309 3972 or Mr Avhatuwi Lithole on 012 309 3994.
Tips that can improve your application
Many applicants struggle with incomplete Z83 forms. Fill every section. Sign the form. Use the exact reference number from the list above.
Keep your CV clear and honest. Show your qualification, modules that match the post, and any relevant projects or community work. Do not copy and paste one generic CV for every post.
If you apply for more than one field, send a separate application for each one. Check the email address twice before you send. Late applications are not accepted after 09 October 2026.
Ask someone to check your spelling and the reference number. Small mistakes can remove you from the shortlist.
What you should do next
Choose the post that matches your qualification. Download and complete the new Z83 form. Prepare one clear CV. Send your application through the correct email, post or hand-delivery address before 09 October 2026.
If you are unsure which email to use, call the enquiry numbers listed above. Take your time, follow the instructions, and submit a complete application. That is the most useful next step you can take today.
