There are only a few weeks left to apply for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Internship Programme 2026. This programme offers fresh graduates a chance to work in the environment sector, earn a monthly stipend, and build a career that matters.
What the Internship Programme Looks Like
The DFFE is rolling out a wide range of internships across South Africa, covering roles in environmental management, forestry, administration, science, finance, IT, and more. Every successful applicant receives a monthly stipend of R7 860.50 and will be placed in offices, regional forestry estates, or other departmental facilities.
The internships are available in the following provinces:
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu‑Natal
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape
- North West
- Western Cape
The application deadline is 31 March 2026 at 16:00. After that, the slots will be filled on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Who Should Apply?
To be eligible you must:
- Be a recent graduate in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, forestry, management, IT, finance).
- Have a clean CV that shows your academic achievements and any work experience.
- Be able to work in one of the listed provinces.
- Not be currently employed in a full‑time capacity that conflicts with the internship schedule.
Many applicants struggle with the paperwork or forgetting to attach everything. From experience, most successful candidates have a well‑formatted CV and a complete new Z83 application form in one PDF.
What You Gain
- Practical workplace experience in a government department.
- Professional networking with seasoned environmental professionals.
- Exposure to real projects in forestry, fisheries, and environmental monitoring.
- Financial support through the stipend and the chance to build a resume that stands out.
Step‑by‑Step How to Apply
- Download the application circular. Use the official link: DOWNLOAD CIRCULAR FOR APPLICATION DETAILS.
- Fill out the new Z83 application form. Make sure all fields are completed accurately.
- Prepare a detailed CV. Highlight your education, any internship or volunteer work, and skills that match the role.
- Combine the Z83 form and CV into a single PDF. This is the only format accepted.
- Send your application by email.
- Subject line must include the reference number and job title (e.g., “EC/B&C/01/26 – Forestry Operations Management”).
- Attach the PDF and send it to the email address provided in the circular.
- Wait for confirmation. If selected, you will be contacted for further steps.
Practical Tips to Boost Your Chances
- Use the official circular to double‑check that you are applying for the correct reference number.
- Make your CV concise and tailored to the role; use bullet points and action verbs.
- Proofread the entire PDF for typos or formatting errors.
- Apply early; competition is high and positions fill fast.
- If this is your first time applying, don’t worry – many students have successfully secured internships this way.
Internship Listings by Province
Eastern Cape Internships
- Ref No: EC/CMS/01/26 – Bisho Regional Forestry Office
- Ref No: EC/B&C/01/26 – Ngqeleni Estate
- Ref No: EC/B&C/02/26 – Gomo Forest Estate Office
- Ref No: EC/B&C/03/26 – Keiskammahoek Forest Estate
- Ref No: EC/B&C/04/26 – Cape Town
- Ref No: EC/B&C/05/26 – Bulembu Estate
- Ref No: EC/B&C/06/26 – Port St Johns Forest Estate
- Ref No: EC/B&C/07/26 – Bomvana Forest Estate
- Ref No: EC/B&C/08/26 – Ntsubane Forest Estate Office
- Ref No: EC/B&C/09/26 – Afromontane Forest Estate
- Ref No: EC/FOM/01/26 – Bisho Regional Forestry Office
- Ref No: EC/FOM/02/26 – Port Elizabeth
- Ref No: EC/FOM/03/26 – Mthatha
- Ref No: EC/FOM/04/26 – Mthatha
- Ref No: EC/FOM/05/26 – Bhisho
- Ref No: EC/FOM/06/26 – Bhisho
- Ref No: EC/FOM/07/26 – Bisho Regional Forestry Office
- Ref No: EC/FOM/08/26 – Port Elizabeth
- Ref No: EC/FIM/01/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: EC/EP/01/26 – Eastern Cape Region
Free State Internships
- Ref No: FS/CWM/01/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: FS/FOM/01/26 – Bloemfontein
- Ref No: FS/FOM/02/26 – Bloemfontein Office
- Ref No: FS/FOM/03/26 – Qwaqwa Nursery
- Ref No: FS/FIM/01/26 – Gariep Dam
- Ref No: FS/EP/01/26 – Bloemfontein
- Ref No: FS/EP/02/26 – Bloemfontein
Gauteng Internships (Divisions)
- Additional programmes continue under divisions such as:
- Biodiversity and Conservation (B&C)
- Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (CWM)
- Fisheries and Marine Management (FIM)
- Forestry Operations Management (FOM)
- Climate Change and Air Quality (CCAQ)
- Office of the Director General (ODG)
- Environmental Programmes (EP)
- Finance Management Services (FMS)
- Regulatory Compliance and Support Management (RCSM)
Gauteng – Detailed Ref No. Listings
- Ref No: GP/DM/01/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/01/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/02/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/03/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/04/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/05/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/06/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/07/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/08/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/09/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/10/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/11/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/12/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/13/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/14/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/15/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/16/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/17/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/18/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/19/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/20/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/21/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/22/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/23/26 – Pretoria Environment House
- Ref No: GP/CMS/24/26 – Pretoria Environment House
KwaZulu‑Natal Internships
- Ref No: KZN/B&C/01/26 – Kwezela State Forest
- Ref No: KZN/B&C/02/26 – Futululu Forest Management Unit
- Ref No: KZN/FOM/01/26 – Pietermaritzburg
- Ref No: KZN/EP/01/26 – KwaZulu‑Natal Regional Office
- Ref No: KZN/EP/02/26 – Midmar Dam
- Ref No: KZN/EP/03/26 – Midmar
- Ref No: KZN/EP/04/26 – Midmar
Limpopo & Mpumalanga Internships
- Ref No: LP/B&C/01/26 – Limpopo and Mpumalanga Region
- Ref No: LP/FOM/01/26 – Makhado
- Ref No: LP/FOM/02/26 – Moddervlei Plantation
- Ref No: LP/FOM/03/26 – Phiphidi Plantation
- Ref No: LP/FOM/04/26 – Voorspoed Plantation
- Ref No: LP/EP/01/26 – Waterberg
- Ref No: LP/EP/02/26 – Makhado
- Ref No: LP/EP/03/26 – Polokwane
- Ref No: LP/EP/04/26 – Polokwane
- Ref No: LP/EP/05/26 – Polokwane Regional Office
- Ref No: LP/EP/06/26 – Polokwane Regional Office
Mpumalanga Internships
- Ref No: MP/FOM/01/26 – Nelspruit
- Ref No: MP/EP/01/26 – Nelspruit
- Ref No: MP/EP/02/26 – Nelspruit
- Ref No: MP/EP/03/26 – Nelspruit
- Ref No: MP/EP/04/26 – Nelspruit
Northern Cape Internships
- Ref No: NC/FOM/01/26 – Upington
- Ref No: NC/FOM/02/26 – Kimberley
- Ref No: NC/FOM/03/26 – Upington
- Ref No: NC/EP/01/26 – Upington
- Ref No: NC/EP/02/26 – Springbok
- Ref No: NC/EP/03/26 – Kimberley
- Ref No: NC/EP/04/26 – Northern Cape Regional Office
- Ref No: NC/EP/05/26 – Upington
- Ref No: NC/EP/06/26 – Springbok
- Ref No: NC/EP/07/26 – Kimberley
North West Internships
- Ref No: NW/EP/01/26 – Brits
- Ref No: NW/EP/02/26 – Mahikeng
- Ref No: NW/EP/03/26 – Brits
Western Cape Internships
- Ref No: WC/CMS/01/26 – Cape Town
- Ref No: WC/CMS/02/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/CMS/03/26 – Cape Town
- Ref No: WC/CMS/04/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/CMS/05/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FMS/01/26 – Cape Town
- Ref No: WC/CWM/01/26 – Grabouw
- Ref No: WC/FOM/01/26 – Bellville
- Ref No: WC/FOM/02/26 – Knysna
- Ref No: WC/FOM/03/26 – Kluitjieskraal
- Ref No: WC/FIM/01/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/02/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/03/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/04/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/05/26 – Sea Point Aquarium
- Ref No: WC/FIM/06/26 – Aquarium
- Ref No: WC/FIM/07/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/08/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/09/26 – Aquarium
- Ref No: WC/FIM/10/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/11/26 – Aquarium
- Ref No: WC/FIM/12/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/FIM/13/26 – Foretrust Building
- Ref No: WC/OC/01/26 – Foreshore Building
- Ref No: WC/OC/02/26 – Waterfront Offices
Final Reminders
Everything you need – the circular, the forms, the deadline – is now in one place. Don’t let this chance slip away. Apply before 31 March 2026 at 16:00, and give yourself a foot in the door to a rewarding career in environmental stewardship.
Good luck – your future in a green, sustainable South Africa starts here!
