The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) invites unemployed South African graduates to apply for its Internship Programme 2026–2028, offering an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience through a structured two-year internship contract. The programme is designed to provide practical exposure, professional development, and industry-related skills that can enhance employability and support long-term career growth.
Applications are open to suitably qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements. Successful applicants will be appointed on a fixed-term, non-renewable contract and will receive a monthly stipend in accordance with the NHLS stipend structure, based on their qualification level.
Programme Details
- Programme: Internship Programme 2026–2028
- Contract Duration: Two Years (Fixed-Term Non-Renewable)
- Commencement Date: 1 July 2026
- Location: Corporate Region, South Africa
- Monthly Stipend: In accordance with NHLS stipend structure
- Closing Date: 12 June 2026
The internship programme is expected to commence on 1 July 2026 and will provide graduates with hands-on experience within the corporate environment of the National Health Laboratory Service.
About the National Health Laboratory Service
The National Health Laboratory Service plays a critical role in supporting South Africa’s healthcare system through laboratory services, research, training, and public health surveillance. As one of the country’s leading healthcare institutions, the NHLS contributes significantly to disease diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, and management.
Through internship programmes, the institution seeks to develop young professionals by exposing them to real-world work environments where they can apply academic knowledge while gaining practical workplace competencies.
The NHLS Internship Programme is aimed at empowering unemployed graduates by creating opportunities that bridge the gap between academic qualifications and workplace experience.
Internship Programme Overview
The NHLS Internship Programme offers successful candidates a two-year fixed-term contract. The programme is non-renewable and focuses on equipping graduates with relevant workplace skills and practical experience.
Successful candidates will be placed within the corporate region and will receive a monthly stipend according to the NHLS stipend structure.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants interested in the internship opportunities must satisfy the following requirements:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be unemployed.
- Must be between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
- Must have completed a relevant qualification in the specified field.
- Must not have participated in any Internship Programme within the Public Service previously.
- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Must demonstrate computer literacy and strong technological capabilities.
- A valid driver’s licence will be considered advantageous.
Applicants who fail to meet these requirements may not be considered during the selection process.
Essential Competencies and Skills
The NHLS seeks graduates who demonstrate a strong commitment to professional excellence and personal development. Candidates should possess the following attributes:
- Ability to work effectively in teams.
- Strong collaboration skills.
- Positive attitude and professional conduct.
- Reliability and self-discipline.
- Strong sense of responsibility.
- Commitment to achieving results.
- Emotional intelligence and resilience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Good organizational and planning abilities.
- Technical and functional competence related to the field of study.
These competencies are important in ensuring successful participation within the internship programme and in preparing candidates for future employment opportunities.
Available Internship Opportunities
The National Health Laboratory Service is currently recruiting for the following internship positions:
Legal Services Intern
Business Unit: Legal Services
Reference Number: CORP-LGS1-001/06/26
Number of Posts: 1
Required Qualification:
Applicants must possess one of the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree
- Governance Practitioner Qualification (NQF Level 6 or Level 7)
Role Overview
The Legal Services Intern will gain exposure to legal and governance functions within the NHLS. The internship will provide valuable practical experience in legal administration, compliance, governance processes, and corporate legal support activities.
Graduates pursuing careers in law, governance, compliance, and regulatory affairs are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.
Executive Secretary Intern
Business Unit: Office of the Chief Executive Officer
Number of Posts: 1
Required Qualification
Applicants must hold any of the following qualifications:
- National Diploma in Business Administration
- National Diploma in Office Management
- National Diploma in Management Assistant
- National Diploma in Public Administration
- National Diploma in Business Management
- National Diploma in Secretarial Studies
- Bachelor’s Degree in any related field
- NQF Level 6 or Level 7 qualification in a relevant discipline
Role Overview
The Executive Secretary Intern will be placed within the Office of the Chief Executive Officer and will gain practical experience in executive support functions, office administration, stakeholder communication, meeting coordination, document management, and organizational support services.
This opportunity is ideal for graduates seeking careers in executive administration, office management, corporate administration, and secretarial services.
Benefits of Participating in the NHLS Internship Programme
The internship programme offers numerous benefits for young graduates seeking to enter the labour market.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Gain practical workplace experience.
- Develop professional skills.
- Build a strong professional network.
- Improve employability.
- Work within a reputable national institution.
- Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals.
- Strengthen communication and administrative skills.
- Enhance career prospects in both public and private sectors.
Workplace experience remains one of the most important requirements for many employers, making internship programmes such as this one highly valuable for graduates entering the job market.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit a complete application package containing the following documents:
- A recent and comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing qualifications and experience, including dates.
- Certified copy of South African Identity Document.
- Certified copies of all qualifications.
- Certified copy of driver’s licence (if applicable).
All certifications must be valid at the time of application submission.
Failure to provide all required documents may result in the application being disqualified.
Important Application Instructions
Candidates must carefully follow all application instructions to avoid disqualification.
When submitting an application:
- Use the correct email address provided by the NHLS.
- Clearly indicate the position title and reference number in the email subject line.
- Submit all required supporting documents.
- Ensure all information provided is accurate and complete.
- Double-check that certified documents are valid and legible.
Incomplete applications or applications submitted incorrectly will not be considered.
Applicants are strongly advised to use the correct reference number in the subject line. Failure to do so may result in the application being allocated to the wrong file and excluded from the recruitment process.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications via email.
Application Email Address: Corporate2@nhls.ac.za
Applicants must ensure that the relevant position title and reference number are included in the subject line of the email application.
Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered.
The closing date for applications is: 12 June 2026
Late applications will not be accepted.
Important Notice
Correspondence regarding the recruitment process will be limited to successful candidates only. Applicants who do not receive feedback within two weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
The National Health Laboratory Service encourages eligible graduates who meet the requirements to submit their applications before the deadline and take advantage of this opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience within one of South Africa’s leading healthcare institutions.