Are you a recent graduate looking for an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience while building a career in the public health sector? The Free State Department of Health is opening the door to ambitious and suitably qualified South African graduates through its Graduate Internship Programme 2026, with 99 internship opportunities available across various fields and health facilities in the Free State.
The programme provides graduates with an opportunity to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and practical workplace experience. Successful interns will be placed at hospitals, district offices and other health facilities across the province, with the programme running for 24 months and offering a stipend of R98,087 per annum. Applications close on 04 September 2026.
Why Apply for Free State Department of Health Internships?
Starting a career after graduation can be challenging, especially when employers require previous workplace experience. The Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme gives young graduates an opportunity to gain practical exposure while working in a public-sector environment.
Here’s what makes this opportunity valuable:
- Practical Work Experience: Apply the knowledge and skills gained through your studies in a real workplace.
- Career Development: Build professional experience that can strengthen your CV and future employment prospects.
- Public Sector Exposure: Gain experience within one of South Africa’s essential public service sectors.
- Professional Skills: Develop communication, organisational, computer, problem-solving and time-management skills.
- Multiple Career Fields: Opportunities are available in administration, finance, IT, human resources, supply chain, data analysis and built-environment fields.
Available Graduate Internship Opportunities at Free State Department of Health 2026
The 99 Graduate Internship Posts are distributed across several fields:
- Office Management – 27 Posts
- Dental Assistant – 6 Posts
- Finance Management – 23 Posts
- Supply Chain Management – 5 Posts
- Supply Chain / Public Management / Financial Management – 10 Posts
- Data Analyst – 1 Post
- Quantity Surveyor / Architecture / Building Construction – 5 Posts
- Information Technology – 19 Posts
- Human Resource Management – 3 Posts
Total: 99 Posts
Office Management Graduate Internships – X27 Posts
The Department is offering 27 Office Management internship opportunities at various district offices and hospitals, including Mangaung District Office, Pelonomi Hospital, Universitas Hospital, Free State Psychiatric Hospital, Bongani Hospital, Nala Hospital, Fezile Dabi District Office, Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office, Dihlabeng Hospital, Xhariep District Office and other facilities.
Applicants should have an appropriate qualification relevant to the advertised Office Management field.
Dental Assistant Graduate Internships – X6 Posts
There are 6 Dental Assistant internship opportunities available at:
- Lejweleputswa District Office – 1 Post
- Fezile Dabi District Office – 1 Post
- Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office – 3 Posts
- Xhariep District Office – 1 Post
Applicants for the Dental Assistant opportunities must additionally be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Finance Management Graduate Internships – X23 Posts
The Department has made available 23 Finance Management internship posts across various locations, including Mangaung District Office, Botshabelo Hospital, Universitas Hospital, Medical Depot Bloemfontein, Corporate Office and EMS Hub, Bongani Hospital, Mohau Hospital, Parys Hospital, Boitumelo Hospital, Diamant Hospital and other facilities.
Supply Chain Management Graduate Internships – X5 Posts
There are 5 Supply Chain Management opportunities available at:
- National Hospital – 2 Posts
- Corporate Office – 2 Posts
- Xhariep District Office – 1 Post
Applicants should possess an appropriate tertiary qualification relevant to Supply Chain Management.
Supply Chain, Public Management and Financial Management – X10 Posts
The Department is also offering 10 internship opportunities at the Corporate Office and EMS Hub.
Applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate qualification relevant to one or more of the following:
- Supply Chain Management
- Public Management
- Financial Management
Data Analyst Graduate Internship – X1 Post
One Data Analyst Graduate Internship is available at the Medical Depot Bloemfontein.
Applicants must have an appropriate undergraduate tertiary qualification relevant to Data Analysis at NQF Level 6, 7 or 8.
Quantity Surveyor, Architecture and Building Construction – X5 Posts
The Department is offering 5 opportunities in the built-environment field covering:
- Quantity Surveying
- Architecture
- Building Construction
The positions are based at the Corporate Office and EMS Hub, and applicants must hold an appropriate qualification relevant to the advertised field.
Information Technology Graduate Internships – X19 Posts
There are 19 Information Technology internship opportunities available across the Free State.
Placements include the Corporate Office and EMS Hub, Thusanong Hospital, Fezile Dabi District Office, Parys Hospital, Tokollo/Mafube Hospital, Boitumelo Hospital, Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital, Manapo Hospital and Elizabeth Ross Hospital.
Human Resource Management Graduate Internships – X3 Posts
The Department is offering 3 Human Resource Management internship opportunities:
- Nala Hospital – 1 Post
- Fezi Ngombentombi Hospital – 1 Post
- Stoffel Coetzee Hospital – 1 Post
Applicants must have an appropriate tertiary qualification relevant to Human Resource Management.
Who Can Apply
The Free State Department of Health is looking for suitably qualified South African graduates who meet the requirements of the relevant internship field.
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Have completed Grade 12.
- Hold an appropriate undergraduate tertiary qualification relevant to the position.
- Have an NQF Level 6 National Diploma or NQF Level 7/8 Degree, as applicable to the internship field.
- Not have previously completed a 24-month internship programme.
- Meet any additional professional registration requirements applicable to their field.
For Dental Assistant positions, applicants must be registered with the HPCSA. Historically disadvantaged individuals will receive preference.
Skills and Competencies
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Good communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Organisational ability
- Literacy and numeracy
- Time-management skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Good written and spoken communication
- Professional presentation
- Telephone etiquette
These skills are important because interns will be working in professional public-sector environments and supporting day-to-day departmental operations.
Internship Duration and Stipend
The Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme 2026 runs for:
24 months
Successful interns will receive a stipend of:
R98,087 per annum
The internships are located at various hospitals, district offices and health facilities throughout the Free State.
Duties and Responsibilities
Successful interns will perform basic duties assigned by their mentors in accordance with their relevant fields of study.
The programme is designed to give graduates practical exposure while allowing them to develop workplace competencies related to their academic qualifications. Interns will also be required to attend the funded Personal Mastery Course for Public Service Graduate Interns.
Documents Required
According to the advertised information, applicants are required to submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) at the initial application stage.
Applicants should carefully follow the instructions provided through the Free State Department of Health e-Recruitment system and provide any additional information requested during the application process.
How to Apply
Applications for the Free State Department of Health Graduate Internships 2026 must be submitted online through the department’s e-Recruitment system.
- Visit the Free State Department of Health e-Recruitment platform.
- Search for the Graduate Internship Programme 2026.
- Select the internship field that matches your qualification.
- Check the relevant reference number and placement carefully.
- Prepare and upload your detailed CV.
- Complete all required sections of the online application.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
Applicants should ensure that they apply for the opportunity that corresponds with their qualifications and use the correct reference number.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY – Free State Department of Health e-Recruitment
Application Closing Date
The closing date for the Free State Department of Health Graduate Internships 2026 is:
04 September 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early rather than waiting until the final day.
Why Your Internship Matters
For many graduates, academic qualifications are only the first step toward building a successful career. The biggest challenge is often obtaining the practical experience required by employers. The Free State Department of Health Graduate Internship Programme provides an opportunity to overcome that barrier by allowing graduates to gain meaningful workplace exposure within the public healthcare sector.
With 99 positions available across nine different career fields, this programme offers opportunities for graduates with backgrounds in administration, finance, IT, human resources, supply chain management, data analysis, dental assistance and the built environment.
If you meet the requirements, this could be an important opportunity to gain experience, strengthen your CV and develop the professional skills needed to progress into future employment.
Total Number of Positions: 99 Posts
Internship Duration: 24 Months
Stipend: R98,087 Per Annum
Closing Date: 04 September 2026
