National Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme 2026–2028: The Complete Applicant Guide

Read this first

The programme is advertised as 2026–2028, not 2026/2027, because it runs for two years. Two things matter right now:

• The main intake of internship posts had a closing date of 1 June 2026, so that window has shut.
• A separate batch is still open. Reference NDOH 81/2026 lists a closing date of 26 October 2026, which is under two weeks away. That date comes from third-party job sites, so confirm it against the official advert on health.gov.za before you rely on it.

Is there a direct apply link?

There is no online application portal. The Department takes applications by email, post or hand delivery. The closest thing to a direct link is the official advert, which holds the instructions and the form requirements:

Official advert (PDF): https://www.health.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Graduate-Internship-Programme-2026-To-2028.pdf

Department website: https://www.health.gov.za

Where to send your application:

• Email [email protected] and put the reference number in the subject line.
• Post it to The Director-General, National Department of Health, Private Bag X399, Pretoria, 0001.
• Hand deliver it to Reception (Brown Application Box), Dr AB Xuma Building, 1112 Voortrekker Road, Pretoria Townlands 351-JR.

Some older Department adverts used [email protected] instead. Always copy the address from the advert for the post you are applying for.

What the programme is

The Department invites unemployed graduates to do an occupationally based work experience opportunity for a minimum of 24 months. Its stated goal is to improve the employability of unemployed graduates.

This is training, not a permanent job. One of the listing sites notes that the programme does not guarantee permanent employment afterwards. You are there to build skills, a work record and professional references that make you competitive for permanent public service posts.

Stipend

The 2026 posts list a stipend of R8,174.78 per month. Some websites round this to R8,174.75, but the official advert is the source to trust. The stipend is not a full salary, so plan your finances around it, especially if you will have to relocate to Pretoria.

Posts in the main 2026 intake (now closed)

Every post is based in Pretoria. For most posts you need Grade 12 (NQF 4) plus a 360-credit diploma at NQF 6 in the relevant field. The Legal Services post asks for an LLB instead.

Ref no.	Internship	Posts	Qualification field
NDOH 30/2026	HR Management and Development	4	HR Management or Development
NDOH 31/2026	Organisational Development	1	Management Services, Operations or Production Management
NDOH 32/2026	Employment Relations	1	Labour Relations
NDOH 33/2026	Financial Management and Accounting	3	Financial Management or Accounting
NDOH 34/2026	Supply Chain Management	4	Supply Chain, Logistics, Public Management, Purchasing or Transport Management
NDOH 35/2026	Internal Audit	3	Internal Auditing or Risk Management
NDOH 36/2026	ICT	4	Computer Science or IT
NDOH 37/2026	Communication	2	Journalism, Marketing and Communication, or Communication
NDOH 38/2026	Legal Services	3	LLB
NDOH 39/2026	Office of the Director-General	2	Management, Business Management, Public Management or Administration
NDOH 40/2026	Strategic Planning	2	Public Management, Business Management, Administration or Strategic Management
NDOH 41/2026	Office of the CFO	1	Management or Administration qualification

These roles may be re-advertised in future rounds, so use the table to see what the Department typically recruits for.

The still-open post: NDOH 81/2026

Third-party sites report five internship posts in the Chief Directorate: Trauma, Violence and EMS. They ask for a National Diploma or Degree at NQF Level 6 in Microbiology, Biotechnology or Health Sciences. The stipend is reported as the same R8,174.75 a month, and applicants are told to quote NDOH 81/2026 in the subject line.

Check the official advert for duties and exact requirements, because I could not verify them against the Department’s own document.

Who can apply

Based on the official advert, you should:

1. Be an unemployed graduate with the qualification the post asks for.
2. Have no previous exposure to or participation in an internship programme. This rule disqualifies many people, so check your own history honestly before you apply.
3. Be interested in a public service career.
4. Have your qualification evaluated by SAQA if it is foreign. That is the applicant’s responsibility.

The Department also says it wants to promote equity in race, gender and disability when it fills posts.

Documents you need

The Department’s rules are stricter than many people expect:

• A new Z83 form. Get it from any Public Service department and fill it in completely, because an incomplete form disqualifies you automatically.
• A CV only. Describe your previous experience in full detail.
• No certified copies at first. You don’t send qualifications or other documents when you apply. Certified copies are requested before the final selection phase. Get your certified copies ready anyway so you can respond quickly.
• One PDF for email. Emailed applications must be in a single PDF. Put the Z83 first and the CV second.

Step-by-step application process

1. Download the official advert and find the post that matches your qualification.
2. Note the reference number exactly. The Department is not liable if you use a wrong or missing reference number.
3. Get the latest Z83 form and complete every section. Sign and date it.
4. Write a detailed CV with your qualifications, dates, projects, volunteer work and contactable referees.
5. Merge both into one PDF and name it clearly, for example NDOH-81-2026-YourSurname.pdf.
6. Email it with the reference number in the subject line, or post or hand deliver it.
7. Send it at least a day or two before the deadline. Late or non-compliant applications are not considered.
8. Keep a copy and your sent-email confirmation.

What happens after you apply

Only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you hear nothing within three months of the closing date, treat your application as unsuccessful. Shortlisted candidates may also face a technical exercise that tests job-related skills. Successful candidates go through suitability checks and vetting. The Department can also choose not to fill a post.

For enquiries, the advert names Mr A Masilo on 012 395 8669.

Tips to improve your chances

• Match your field exactly. A post asking for Supply Chain does not suit an Accounting graduate.
• Be thorough in your CV. Since you send no certificates at first, the CV is your whole case. Spell out academic projects, practical modules and volunteer work.
• Be honest about internships. Vetting can reveal prior participation, and a false claim can end your chances.
• Use a professional email address and a clear subject line.
• Prepare for a technical exercise. Revise core skills in your field, such as basic accounting entries, drafting or SCM procedures.
• Apply to more than one post only if you genuinely qualify for each, with a separate application and reference number each time.
• Watch for scams. The Department does not charge application fees. Be wary of anyone asking for money or using non-government email addresses.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026/2027 programme still open? The main batch closed on 1 June 2026. NDOH 81/2026 is reported open until 26 October 2026.

Can I apply online? No. Use email, post or hand delivery.

Do I need a driver’s licence or work experience? The advert lists none for these posts, but check each post’s requirements.

Will I be hired afterwards? Not automatically. The internship builds your experience and employability.

Where do I find future openings? Check health.gov.za regularly and the Public Service Vacancy Circular, which is published weekly.

Final thoughts

If you qualify for NDOH 81/2026, act this week, because the deadline is close. If you missed the main intake, prepare your Z83, CV and certified documents now so you can apply the moment the next round opens.

I can also put this into a Word or PDF file if you’d like.