South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Internships 2026

The South African Qualifications Authority invites unemployed South African graduates to apply for the SAQA Graduate Internship Programme for the 2026–2028 period.

Internship Application Closing Date: 29 July 2026

Internship Location: South Africa

SAQA Graduate Internship Programme 2026–2028

The South African Qualifications Authority, commonly known as SAQA, has opened applications for its two-year Graduate Internship Programme.

The programme is aimed at unemployed graduates who need workplace experience and have not previously participated in an internship programme.

Successful applicants will gain practical exposure within a national public institution while receiving an annual stipend ranging from R72 000 to R102 000.

Internship opportunities are available in Supply Chain Management, Authentication Services, Executive Support, and Legal and Compliance.

Internship Programme Overview

Organisation: South African Qualifications Authority
Abbreviation: SAQA
Programme: Graduate Internship Programme 2026–2028
Duration: Two years
Target group: Unemployed graduates
Annual stipend: R72 000 to R102 000
Previous internship participation: Not allowed
Closing date: 29 July 2026
Application method: Online

Available Internship Fields

The SAQA Graduate Internship Programme includes opportunities in the following areas:

• Supply Chain Management
• Authentication Services
• Executive Support
• Legal and Compliance

Applicants must ensure that their qualification matches the internship field for which they are applying.

Supply Chain Management Internship

Applicants should have completed a Diploma in one of the following fields:

• Supply Chain Management
• Logistics
• Public Administration
• Finance

Successful candidates may gain practical exposure to:

• Procurement processes
• Purchasing
• Supplier administration
• Asset management
• Contract administration
• Financial documentation
• Record keeping
• Supply-chain reporting

Authentication Services Internship

Applicants should have completed a Diploma or Degree in:

• Information Management
• Education
• Administration

Successful graduates may gain experience in:

• Qualification verification
• Document authentication
• Information management
• Records administration
• Customer support
• Data capturing
• Document control
• Responding to qualification-related enquiries

Executive Support Internship

Applicants should have completed a Degree in:

• Public Management
• Education
• Administration

The internship may provide practical exposure to:

• Executive office administration
• Diary management
• Meeting coordination
• Minute taking
• Correspondence
• Document preparation
• Stakeholder communication
• General executive support

Legal and Compliance Internship

Applicants should have completed:

• A Degree in Law; or
• An LLB degree

Successful graduates may gain practical experience in:

• Legal research
• Compliance monitoring
• Policy interpretation
• Governance
• Regulatory frameworks
• Risk management
• Drafting legal documents
• Supporting internal compliance processes

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be unemployed graduates.
• Require workplace experience.
• Have completed a qualification relevant to the selected internship.
• Not have participated in an internship programme previously.
• Submit a complete online application.
• Upload the required supporting documents.
• Apply before the closing date.

The source information does not specify an age limit or citizenship requirement.

Internship Duration

The programme will run for:

Two years

Successful candidates should be available for the full duration of the internship.

The programme is intended to provide structured workplace experience and does not automatically guarantee permanent employment after completion.

Internship Stipend

Successful interns will receive an annual stipend ranging from:

R72 000 to R102 000 per year

The exact annual or monthly amount may depend on the position, qualification level or SAQA’s internal remuneration structure.

The advertisement does not specify:

• The exact monthly stipend.
• Whether the stipend differs by qualification.
• Whether additional benefits are included.

Applicants should wait for official communication from SAQA before making assumptions about the payment structure.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is suitable for:

• Recently qualified graduates.
• Unemployed applicants seeking their first workplace opportunity.
• Graduates who have never participated in an internship.
• Supply Chain and Logistics graduates.
• Public Administration graduates.
• Education and Information Management graduates.
• Law and LLB graduates.
• Applicants interested in public-sector administration.
• Graduates seeking experience in qualification verification and compliance.

Skills That May Strengthen an Application

Although the advertisement mainly focuses on qualification requirements, applicants may benefit from demonstrating:

• Professional communication.
• Computer literacy.
• Microsoft Office skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Time management.
• Organisational ability.
• Teamwork.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Report-writing ability.
• Willingness to learn.
• Professional conduct.
• Ability to work with confidential information.

Applicants should include relevant academic, volunteer and project experience in their CVs.

What Interns May Learn

During the two-year programme, interns may gain experience in:

• Workplace administration.
• Professional email communication.
• Record management.
• Meeting preparation.
• Public-sector procedures.
• Report writing.
• Stakeholder communication.
• Professional ethics.
• Working with policies and legislation.
• Data capturing and document verification.
• Team-based project support.

These skills may improve the graduate’s long-term employability.

Documents Applicants Should Prepare

Applicants should prepare:

• An updated CV.
• A copy of their South African identity document, if requested.
• Copies of completed qualifications.
• An academic transcript.
• Proof of qualification completion.
• Any additional supporting documents required on the SAQA portal.

The source information does not provide a full official document list, so applicants should follow the instructions displayed on the online application system.

How to Prepare Your CV

The CV should clearly include:

• Full personal and contact details.
• Educational qualifications.
• Graduation dates.
• Relevant academic subjects.
• Computer skills.
• Student projects.
• Volunteer experience.
• Leadership roles.
• Community involvement.
• References.

Applicants with no formal work experience should include activities that demonstrate responsibility, initiative, teamwork or communication ability.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying for an internship that does not match their qualification.
• Uploading unclear or incomplete documents.
• Using an outdated CV.
• Leaving sections of the online application incomplete.
• Providing incorrect contact details.
• Submitting duplicate applications unnecessarily.
• Applying after the closing date.
• Providing false information about previous internship participation.

How to Apply for the SAQA Graduate Internship Programme 2026–2028

Applications must be submitted through the official SAQA e-Recruitment portal.

Click here to apply for the SAQA Graduate Internship Programme 2026–2028

Applicants should:

1. Open the official SAQA careers portal.
2. Search for the Graduate Internship Programme.
3. Select the internship matching their qualification.
4. Create or sign in to an applicant profile.
5. Complete all required sections.
6. Upload an updated CV and supporting documents.
7. Review the application carefully.
8. Submit it before the closing date.

Internship Application Closing Date

Applications close on 29 July 2026.

Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

Applicants should submit early to avoid technical issues on the final day.

Internship Enquiries

For enquiries, contact:

Contact person: Ms Amina Amade
Email: HR@saqa.org.za

Applicants should state the name of the internship field in the subject line of the enquiry.

Important Application Advice

Before submitting the application, confirm that:

• You are unemployed.
• You have completed a relevant qualification.
• You have never participated in an internship programme.
• Your qualification matches the selected field.
• Your CV is updated.
• Your academic documents are clear.
• All online application sections are complete.
• Your contact details are correct.
• Your application is submitted by 29 July 2026.

About the South African Qualifications Authority

The South African Qualifications Authority is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of South Africa’s National Qualifications Framework.

Its functions include:

• Maintaining the National Qualifications Framework.
• Evaluating qualifications.
• Supporting quality assurance.
• Verifying qualifications.
• Promoting lifelong learning.
• Working with education institutions and professional bodies.
• Supporting the recognition and comparison of qualifications.

Through its internship programme, SAQA provides graduates with workplace exposure in a professional environment that supports South Africa’s education and skills-development system.