The National Youth Service (NYS) Phase V 2026 programme is inviting unemployed young South Africans to apply for paid community service opportunities available across all nine provinces. The latest phase is expected to provide 100,000 opportunities for young people aged between 18 and 35 years, giving participants the chance to gain practical work experience while supporting schools, clinics, community organisations, non-profit organisations and other public-service initiatives.
Successful participants will reportedly receive R24.18 per hour, with the supplied information estimating earnings of approximately R1,547 per month, depending on the number of hours worked and the conditions of the individual placement. Application Closing Date: 30 August 2026M Programme Location: All Nine Provinces, South Africa
National Youth Service Phase V 2026
National Youth Service Phase V is designed to provide unemployed youth with opportunities to participate in community-based service while gaining valuable workplace experience.
The programme is open to eligible young people throughout South Africa, with opportunities distributed across the country’s nine provinces. Participants may be placed with community organisations, schools, clinics, youth centres, early childhood development centres, non-profit organisations and other eligible host institutions.
National Youth Service Phase V 2026 – Quick Summary
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | National Youth Service Phase V 2026 |
| Number of Opportunities | 100,000 |
| Target Group | Unemployed South African Youth |
| Age Requirement | 18–35 years |
| Pay Rate | R24.18 per hour |
| Estimated Monthly Amount | Approximately R1,547 |
| Location | All Nine Provinces |
| Application Platform | SA Youth |
| Application Method | Online |
| Closing Date | 30 August 2026 |
Who Can Apply for National Youth Service Phase V?
According to the supplied programme information, applicants should meet the following basic requirements:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be unemployed.
- Not be studying full-time.
- Live in South Africa.
- Be registered on the SA Youth platform or be willing to create a profile.
- Meet any additional requirements attached to the specific placement.
Young people living with disabilities are also strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should carefully check each opportunity on SA Youth because additional requirements may vary depending on the host organisation and placement.
National Youth Service Qualification Requirements
Many NYS opportunities may not require applicants to have formal qualifications. However, requirements can differ from one placement to another. Some positions may require specific educational qualifications, skills or experience depending on the duties involved. Applicants are therefore encouraged to read the requirements of each opportunity carefully before submitting an application.
National Youth Service Phase V Pay Rate
Participants in the programme may receive a payment of:
R24.18 per hour
The supplied information estimates the monthly amount at approximately:
R1,547 per month
However, the actual amount received may vary depending on the number of hours worked, placement arrangements and the terms applicable to each opportunity.
Applicants should therefore rely on the details provided for the specific placement when determining the expected payment.
Types of National Youth Service Opportunities
NYS participants may be placed in different community and public-service environments.
Potential areas of placement include:
- Schools
- Clinics
- Early childhood development centres
- Youth centres
- Non-profit organisations
- Community-based organisations
- Public-service environments
Examples of positions that may be available include:
- Educator Assistant
- Office Administrator Assistant
- General Worker
- Desktop Support Assistant
The actual vacancies available will depend on the opportunities listed on the SA Youth platform in each applicant’s area.
Benefits of Participating in the National Youth Service
The National Youth Service can provide unemployed young people with more than financial support. Participants can also gain practical exposure that may help them when applying for future employment opportunities.
Potential benefits include:
- Paid community-service experience.
- Practical workplace experience.
- Verifiable work experience for a CV.
- Improved communication skills.
- Teamwork experience.
- Time-management skills.
- Workplace discipline.
- Basic administration experience.
- Exposure to community and public-service environments.
- Potential references from host organisations.
- Experience that can strengthen future job, internship and learnership applications.
Documents to Prepare
Applicants should have their important documents and information ready before applying.
These may include:
- South African ID or ID number.
- Updated CV.
- Proof of residence, where required.
- Certified copies of qualifications, where applicable.
- Accurate contact information.
The documents required may differ depending on the specific placement. Applicants should therefore check the requirements listed for each opportunity before applying.
How to Apply for National Youth Service Phase V 2026
Applications are submitted online through the SA Youth platform.
Applicants can follow these steps:
- Visit the official SA Youth platform.
- Register for an account if you do not already have one.
- Complete your personal information.
- Enter accurate education and contact details.
- Make sure your residential location is correct.
- Search for National Youth Service or NYS Phase V opportunities.
- Review the available placements in your area.
- Check the requirements for each opportunity.
- Apply for positions for which you qualify.
- Keep your phone number and email address active.
- Monitor your communications for updates from the relevant host organisation.
Apply through the official SA Youth platform: SA Youth Application Platform
Registration on SA Youth is free. Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting payment in exchange for registration, selection or placement.
National Youth Service Application Closing Date
The stated closing date for National Youth Service Phase V 2026 applications is: 30 August 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible because individual opportunities may fill before the overall programme closing date. Waiting until the final day could also increase the risk of missing suitable opportunities in your area.
National Youth Service Opportunities Across All Nine Provinces
The programme is expected to provide opportunities across all nine provinces of South Africa:
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape
- North West
- Western Cape
Applicants should ensure that the location information on their SA Youth profile is accurate so that they can identify opportunities relevant to their area.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
Before applying, prospective participants should keep the following points in mind:
- The programme targets 100,000 opportunities.
- Applicants should be aged 18–35.
- Applicants should be unemployed.
- Full-time students are not eligible according to the supplied information.
- Opportunities are available across all nine provinces.
- Registration on SA Youth is free.
- Some placements may require proof of residence.
- Qualification requirements can differ between placements.
- Individual opportunities may become unavailable before the overall closing date.
- Applicants should use the official SA Youth platform.
- Meeting the basic requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.
- Applicants should provide accurate information when completing their profiles.
National Youth Service Phase V 2026 Application Checklist
Before submitting an application, make sure you have completed the following:
- Confirm that you are a South African citizen.
- Confirm that you are aged 18–35.
- Confirm that you are currently unemployed.
- Confirm that you are not studying full-time.
- Create or update your SA Youth profile.
- Check that your personal details are correct.
- Enter your correct residential location.
- Update your CV.
- Make sure your ID information is accurate.
- Prepare proof of residence if required.
- Prepare qualification documents where applicable.
- Read the requirements for each placement carefully.
- Apply for suitable opportunities as early as possible.
- Submit your application before 30 August 2026.
Final Thoughts
The National Youth Service Phase V 2026 programme provides a significant opportunity for unemployed young South Africans to gain practical workplace exposure while participating in community-service activities. With 100,000 targeted opportunities available across all nine provinces and a stated rate of R24.18 per hour, eligible youth are encouraged to create or update their SA Youth profiles and search for suitable placements. Applicants should remember that opportunities and requirements may differ by placement. Always check the specific listing on SA Youth and submit applications through the official platform.
. Applicants must use the correct reference number and ensure that the application form is completed properly. Sections A, B, C and D are compulsory, while sections E, F and G are not compulsory when a CV is attached. However, the question concerning conditions that may prevent reappointment in Part F must be answered. Copies of qualifications and other supporting documents are not required at the initial application stage. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit the relevant documents when required. Applicants with foreign qualifications must provide a SAQA evaluation certificate if shortlisted. ## Important Information for Applicants All shortlisted candidates will undergo pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise and an integrity assessment. Candidates applying for Senior Management Service (SMS) positions will also undergo technical exercises, interviews and psychometric assessments. Applicants for SMS positions must register for or complete the Senior Management Pre-entry Programme offered by the National School of Government. The programme is available at [https://www.thensg.gov.za/trainingcourse/sms-pre-entryprogramme](https://www.thensg.gov.za/trainingcourse/sms-pre-entryprogramme). Successful completion and proof of the required pre-entry certificate are mandatory before appointment. Successful candidates will be subject to security vetting, verification of qualifications and employment history, criminal record checks, citizenship checks, credit record checks and competency assessments. Applicants must disclose any pending criminal, disciplinary or other allegations or investigations, as well as any actual or perceived conflicts of interest and relevant board memberships or directorships. Appointments will be subject to a 12-month probation period and the signing of a performance agreement. IPID reserves the right to fill or not fill the advertised positions. Late applications and applications that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered. Applicants who have not been contacted within three weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful. ## IPID Vacancies 2026 Closing Date The closing date for both advertised positions is **06 November 2026**. Interested and qualified candidates should ensure that their applications are complete, use the correct Z83 form and reference number, and reach IPID before the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to review all requirements carefully before submitting their applications. **Application deadline: 06 November 2026.**](https://ajiraweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Independent-Police-Investigative-Directorate-IPID-Vacancies-2026-145x100.png)
