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Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme 2026: 24-Month Opportunities for Graduates
South African graduates looking for meaningful workplace experience in the public health sector can apply for the Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme 2026.
The department has advertised 99 internship opportunities across various hospitals, district offices and other facilities in the Free State. The programme runs for 24 months and is aimed at suitably qualified graduates who want to develop practical skills in their respective fields.
The advertised stipend is R98,087 per annum. Applications close on 4 September 2026.
Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme 2026: Quick Details
- Department: Free State Department of Health
- Programme: Graduate Internship Programme
- Duration: 24 months
- Total opportunities: 99
- Stipend: R98,087 per annum
- Province: Free State
- Minimum education: Grade 12 plus a relevant undergraduate tertiary qualification
- Qualification level: NQF Level 6 National Diploma or NQF Level 7 or 8 Degree
- Citizenship: South African citizenship required
- Closing date: 4 September 2026
- Application method: Free State Department of Health e-Recruitment system
Which Graduate Internships Are Available?
The Free State Department of Health has opened opportunities across several career fields.
The advertised positions include:
- Office Management: 27 posts
- Dental Assistant: 6 posts
- Finance Management: 23 posts
- Supply Chain Management: 5 posts
- Supply Chain, Public Management and Financial Management: 10 posts
- Data Analyst: 1 post
- Quantity Surveying, Architecture and Building Construction: 5 posts
- Information Technology: 19 posts
- Human Resource Management: 3 posts
Together, these opportunities account for 99 graduate internship posts.
Who Can Apply for the Free State Health Graduate Internships?
The programme is aimed at graduates who meet the academic requirements for the specific internship they want to pursue.
Applicants generally need:
- South African citizenship
- A completed Grade 12 qualification
- An appropriate undergraduate tertiary qualification
- An NQF Level 6 National Diploma or NQF Level 7 or 8 Degree in the relevant field
Applicants who have already completed a 24-month internship programme may not apply for these advertised positions. Historically disadvantaged individuals will receive preference.
Office Management Graduate Internships
The department has advertised 27 Office Management internship positions across various district offices and hospitals.
Placements include facilities such as:
- Mangaung District Office
- Pelonomi Hospital
- Universitas Hospital
- Free State Psychiatric Hospital
- Bongani Hospital
- Nala Hospital
- Fezile Dabi District Office
- Dihlabeng Hospital
- Xhariep District Office
- Albert Nzula Hospital
The individual vacancies have separate reference numbers, so applicants should select the specific placement they wish to apply for.
Finance Management Graduate Internships
There are 23 Finance Management internship opportunities.
The positions are spread across several facilities and offices, including district offices, hospitals, the Medical Depot and the Corporate Office.
This stream could be particularly relevant to graduates with qualifications in financial management, accounting or other finance-related disciplines that meet the requirements of the individual post.
Information Technology Graduate Internships
The department has also advertised 19 Information Technology internship opportunities.
Placements include the Corporate Office and EMS Hub, hospitals and district offices.
This provides an opportunity for eligible IT graduates to gain practical experience within the public health environment.
Supply Chain and Public Management Opportunities
The programme includes several opportunities related to supply chain and public management.
There are:
- 5 Supply Chain Management posts
- 10 posts covering Supply Chain, Public Management and Financial Management
These opportunities may suit graduates who want to develop experience in procurement, public administration, supply chain processes and related government functions.
Human Resource Management Internships
The Free State Department of Health is offering 3 Human Resource Management internship posts.
The placements listed include:
- Nala Hospital
- Fezi Ngombentombi Hospital
- Stoffel Coetzee Hospital
Applicants need an appropriate qualification that meets the requirements for the relevant internship.
Other Graduate Opportunities
The 24-month programme also includes smaller numbers of opportunities in specialised fields.
These include:
Data Analyst
There is 1 Data Analyst internship based at the Medical Depot in Bloemfontein.
Quantity Surveying, Architecture and Building Construction
The department has advertised 5 opportunities in this broad built-environment category, based at the Corporate Office and EMS Hub.
Dental Assistant
There are 6 Dental Assistant opportunities.
Applicants for Dental Assistant positions have an additional requirement to be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
What Skills Should Applicants Have?
The department identifies a number of general workplace competencies for the internship programme.
These include:
- Communication skills
- Computer skills
- Organisational skills
- Literacy
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Numeracy
- Written communication
- Verbal communication
- Professional presentation
- Telephone etiquette
These skills are important because interns will be expected to function within professional public service environments while learning from experienced mentors.
What Will Graduate Interns Do?
The internship is designed around practical workplace learning.
Successful interns will perform basic tasks assigned by their mentors in relation to their respective fields of study.
The programme also requires interns to attend a funded Personal Mastery Course for Public Service Graduate Interns.
The specific duties will depend on the field and placement.
For example, an IT intern will have different workplace responsibilities from a finance, human resources or office management intern.
How Long Is the Programme?
The Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme runs for 24 months.
This provides graduates with a substantial period of workplace exposure rather than a short placement.
The programme is intended to help participants build practical experience that complements their academic qualifications.
How Much Is the Internship Stipend?
Successful interns will receive a stipend of:
R98,087 per annum
This is the advertised annual stipend for the programme. It should not be treated as a permanent employee salary.
Can Someone Who Has Already Completed an Internship Apply?
The advertisement specifically states that applicants who have already completed a 24-month internship programme may not apply for these positions.
Applicants should therefore consider their previous internship history before submitting an application.
Where Are the Internships Located?
The opportunities are spread across the Free State province.
Potential workplaces include:
- Hospitals
- District offices
- Corporate offices
- Medical facilities
- Other departmental facilities
Applicants should check the individual reference number and centre associated with the internship they wish to pursue.
How to Apply for the Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme
Applications must be submitted through the Free State Department of Health e-Recruitment system.
Applicants should select the appropriate internship and use the correct reference number for the particular placement.
At the initial application stage, the advertised instructions indicate that applicants should submit a detailed CV through the e-Recruitment system.
Application Enquiries
Enquiries regarding the graduate internship programme can be directed to:
Me MA Monnamoncho
Telephone: 051 408 1736 / 073 842 4648
Free State Department of Health Internship Closing Date
The closing date is:
4 September 2026
Graduates who meet the requirements should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme?
It is a 24-month workplace experience programme for suitably qualified graduates who want to gain practical experience within the Free State public health sector.
How many internship opportunities are available?
There are 99 advertised graduate internship opportunities across several fields.
How much is the stipend?
The advertised stipend is R98,087 per annum.
What qualifications are required?
Applicants need Grade 12 and an appropriate undergraduate tertiary qualification at NQF Level 6, 7 or 8, depending on the field.
Can I apply if I have already completed a 24-month internship?
No. The advertisement states that applicants who have already completed a 24-month internship programme may not apply.
When do applications close?
Applications close on 4 September 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme 2026 offers graduates an opportunity to gain two years of practical experience across a broad range of professional fields.
With 99 positions, the programme covers areas ranging from Information Technology and Finance Management to Human Resources, Office Management, Supply Chain Management, Data Analysis and the built environment.
For graduates who meet the qualification requirements and have not previously completed a 24-month internship, this could be a valuable opportunity to build practical experience while working within the Free State public health system.
