The National Department of Health invites unemployed South African graduates to apply for the Graduate Internship Programme 2026–2028 in Pretoria.
Internship Application Closing Date: 26 October 2026
Internship Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Internship Duration: 24 months
Number of Posts: 5
Stipend: R8 174.75 per month
Reference Number: NDOH 81/2026
About the Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme
The National Department of Health is offering a 24-month internship opportunity to unemployed graduates who want to gain practical work experience and are interested in pursuing a career in the Public Service.
Applicants must not previously have participated in or been exposed to an internship programme.
The internship is intended to improve the employability of unemployed graduates by giving them occupationally based workplace experience.
Internship Position
Chief Directorate: Trauma, Violence and EMS
Post: Internship
Reference Number: NDOH 81/2026
Number of Posts: 5
Centre: Pretoria
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12 certificate.
- National Diploma or Degree at NQF Level 6 in:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Good written communication skills.
- Good verbal communication skills.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Scientific analytical ability.
- Computer literacy.
Applicants must also be unemployed and must not previously have participated in an internship programme.
Duties and Responsibilities
Successful interns will assist with:
- Coordinating the import and export permit programme in accordance with applicable regulations.
- Auditing Microbiology laboratories for registration with the Department of Health.
- Monitoring biosafety and biosecurity requirements.
- Registering and auditing Tissue Banks.
- Registering and auditing Stem Cell Banks.
- Responding to enquiries from the clinical trial industry.
- Responding to Health Research enquiries.
- Assisting postgraduate students in health sciences.
- Responding to enquiries from tissue banks and stem cell banks.
Who Should Apply?
This internship may be suitable for graduates who have studied:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Health Sciences
- Laboratory-related disciplines
Applicants should have a strong interest in regulatory work, laboratory compliance, biosafety, biosecurity and public health administration.
How to Apply
Applications may be submitted by post, hand delivery or email.
Postal Applications
Applications must be addressed to:
The Director-General
National Department of Health
Private Bag X399
Pretoria
0001
Hand-Delivered Applications
Applications may be delivered to:
Reception – Brown Application Box
Dr AB Xuma Building
1112 Voortrekker Road
Pretoria Townlands 351-JR
Pretoria
Email Applications
Applications may also be emailed to:
Applicants must quote Reference Number: NDOH 81/2026 in the subject line of the email.
For Attention: Ms M Shitiba
Enquiries
Contact Person: M Kgasi
Telephone: (012) 395 9029
Employment Equity
The Department of Health states that appointments will be made with consideration to employment equity, including race, gender and disability, in line with the Department’s Employment Equity Plan.
Closing Date
26 October 2026
Applicants should ensure that their applications reach the Department before the closing date.