Graduates often leave college or university with the qualification but not the work experience employers want. The SACE Internship Programme 2026 gives unemployed graduates and students needing experiential training an 18-month opportunity to gain practical workplace exposure while earning a monthly stipend based on their NQF level.
The South African Council for Educators is recruiting interns for several fields, including Communication, Registration Administration, Legal and Ethics, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources, PMERR, Internal Audit, ICT and Professional Development.
The programme is open to unemployed South African citizens aged 35 or younger who have never participated in an internship programme before. The official SACE intern advert confirms that the programme runs for 18 months, with stipends of R5 000 for NQF Level 6, R6 500 for NQF Level 7 and R7 500 for NQF Level 8.
For graduates who need workplace exposure, this intake offers more than a stipend — it offers a chance to build confidence in a professional public-sector environment.
What is the SACE Internship Programme 2026?
The SACE Internship Programme 2026 is an 18-month workplace exposure opportunity for unemployed graduates and students who require experiential training to complete their qualifications.
Successful applicants will sign an internship contract with SACE for the duration of the programme.
The internship is designed to give candidates practical experience in real office environments, helping them connect academic learning with workplace duties.
Who should consider the SACE Internship Programme?
This opportunity is suitable for graduates who want practical workplace experience in administration, finance, communication, ICT, legal services, internal audit, human resources, professional development or public-sector operations.
It may also be suitable for students who require experiential training to complete their qualification.
Applicants should be willing to learn, work professionally and follow the requirements of the department where they are placed.
What are the key details applicants should know?
Organisation: South African Council for Educators
Programme: Internship Programme 2026
Duration: 18 months
Locations: SACE Head Office and selected provincial offices
Closing Date: 07 July 2026
Application Email: recruitment@sace.org.za
Application Method: Email, hand delivery or courier
Age Requirement: 35 years or younger
Employment Status: Must be unemployed
SACE states that late and incomplete applications will not be considered, and certified copies must not be older than six months.
How much is the SACE internship stipend?
The monthly stipend depends on the applicant’s NQF qualification level.
NQF Level 6: R5 000 per month
NQF Level 7: R6 500 per month
NQF Level 8: R7 500 per month
These stipends are intended to support interns while they complete the 18-month workplace exposure programme.
Which SACE internship opportunities are available?
SACE is recruiting interns across several departments and offices.
Each opportunity has its own reference number, qualification requirements and number of available posts.
Applicants should choose the position that matches their qualification and clearly use the correct reference number when applying.
What is the Communication Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: COMMS001
Number of Posts: 1
Applicants must have Matric and a Bachelor’s Degree at NQF Level 7 in one of the following fields:
- Digital Communications
- Media Studies
- Communications
- Journalism
- Public Relations
This opportunity is suitable for graduates interested in media, public communication, stakeholder engagement, digital content and organisational communication.
What are the Registration Intern opportunities?
Locations: Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State and Head Office
Number of Posts: 2 per location
Reference numbers include:
- REG/LIM002 for Limpopo
- REG/KZN002 for KwaZulu-Natal
- REG/EC002 for Eastern Cape
- REG/FS002 for Free State
- REG/HO002 for Head Office
Applicants must have Matric and a relevant qualification at NQF Level 6 in one of the following fields:
- Bachelor of Administration
- Diploma in Management Assistant
- Office Management
- Public Management
These internships are suitable for candidates interested in registration administration, records management, office support and public-sector service operations.
What is the Legal and Ethics Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: LEGAL0003
Number of Posts: 2
Applicants must have Matric and one of the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Law
- BA Law
- LLB
- Diploma in Paralegal Studies
The advert lists NQF Level 8 for law qualifications and NQF Level 7 for the paralegal qualification.
This internship is suitable for graduates who want exposure to legal compliance, ethics, professional conduct and regulatory work.
Which Finance internships are available?
SACE is offering Finance internship opportunities at its Head Office in Centurion.
Finance Revenue Intern
Reference Number: FINREV0004
Number of Posts: 1
Applicants must have Matric and a Diploma or Degree in Accounting at NQF Level 6 or NQF Level 7.
Finance Bookkeeping Intern
Reference Number: BOOK0005
Number of Posts: 1
Applicants must have Matric and a Diploma or Degree in Accounting at NQF Level 6 or NQF Level 7.
These opportunities are suitable for graduates who want practical exposure to finance, accounting, revenue support and bookkeeping functions.
What is the Finance Supply Chain Management Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: FINSCM0004
Number of Posts: 2
Applicants must have a Diploma in one of the following fields:
- Supply Chain Management
- Logistics
The required qualification is listed at NQF Level 6.
This opportunity is suitable for graduates interested in procurement, logistics, supplier support and supply chain administration.
What is the Human Resource Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: HR0005
Number of Posts: 1
Applicants must have Matric and a Diploma or Degree in one of the following fields:
- Human Resource Management
- Labour Relations
- Training and Development
This internship is suitable for graduates who want exposure to HR administration, employee relations, training support and workplace development processes.
What is the PMERR Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: PMERR0006
Number of Posts: 2
Applicants must have Matric and a Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in one of the following fields:
- Development Studies
- Development Planning
- Public Administration
- Operations Management
- Public Management
PMERR internships can offer useful exposure to planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and research-related work.
What is the Internal Audit Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: INTAUD007
Number of Posts: 1
Applicants must have Matric and a Diploma or Degree in one of the following fields:
- Internal Auditing
- Risk Management
This opportunity is suitable for graduates who want to build experience in governance, audit, risk and compliance-related work.
What is the ICT Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: ICT008
Number of Posts: 1
Applicants must have Matric and a Diploma or Degree in Information Technology.
This internship is suitable for graduates who want practical exposure in an ICT office environment.
What is the Professional Development Intern opportunity?
Location: SACE Head Office, Centurion
Reference Number: PD009
Number of Posts: 2
Applicants must have Matric and an NQF Level 6 qualification in one of the following fields:
- Bachelor of Administration
- Management Assistant
- Office Management
- Public Management
This opportunity is suitable for graduates interested in administration, professional development support and public-sector programme operations.
What are the general requirements?
Applicants must meet the general SACE internship requirements.
Candidates must be:
- South African citizens
- Unemployed
- 35 years old or younger
- Graduates who have completed their studies
- Students who require experiential training, where applicable
- Applicants who have never participated in an internship programme before
- Willing to sign an 18-month internship contract
- Qualified for the specific internship reference they choose
Applicants should only apply for positions that match their qualification.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Do not send one generic application for every reference number. Choose the internship that matches your qualification, then make sure your CV, application form and email subject line all support that specific reference.
Which documents are required?
Applicants must submit a complete application pack.
Required documents include:
- Completed SACE Employment Application Form
- Comprehensive CV
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Supporting academic records, where applicable
SACE states that all copies must be certified and not older than six months. The information on the SACE application form must also correspond with the CV.
Where can applicants get the SACE Employment Application Form?
Applicants must complete the SACE Employment Application Form before submitting.
The form is available on the SACE website under Careers or Opportunities.
The form asks for important details such as the advertised post, reference number, personal information, qualifications, work experience and references.
How can applicants make their application stronger?
A strong application should be complete, accurate and clearly matched to the internship reference number.
Applicants should:
- Complete the SACE Employment Application Form fully
- Use the correct reference number
- Ensure the CV matches the application form
- Attach certified documents that are not older than six months
- Check that qualifications match the selected internship
- Use a clear email subject line
- Keep the CV neat and easy to read
- Submit before the closing date
Small errors can weaken an application, especially when many graduates are applying for the same opportunity.
How do candidates submit their application?
Applications may be submitted by email, hand delivery or courier.
Email Address: recruitment@sace.org.za
Email Subject Line: Use the reference number of the position applied for
Applicants may also submit by hand delivery or courier to:
Human Resource Unit
SACE Building Block 1
240 Crossway Park Offices
Corner Jean Avenue
Centurion
Candidates should ensure the correct reference number is clearly indicated.
What should applicants remember before submitting?
Before submitting, applicants should check that:
- The correct internship reference number is used
- The SACE Employment Application Form is complete
- The CV is attached
- Certified ID copy is attached
- Certified qualifications are attached
- Academic records are included, where needed
- Certification is not older than six months
- The email subject line uses the correct reference number
- The application is submitted before 07 July 2026
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
What happens after applying?
Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates.
If applicants are not contacted within three months of the closing date, they should accept that their application was unsuccessful.
For enquiries, applicants may contact:
Mary Chauke: 012 663 0429
Motsatsi Makgoba: 012 663 0423
Why does the SACE Internship Programme matter?
Workplace experience can be the missing link between a qualification and employment.
The SACE Internship Programme gives unemployed graduates a chance to gain structured experience in a professional public-sector environment.
For candidates interested in education administration, finance, ICT, communication, legal services, audit, HR or public management, this programme can help build practical skills and a stronger CV.
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Final Thoughts
The SACE Internship Programme 2026 is a valuable opportunity for unemployed graduates and students who require experiential training.
With an 18-month structure, monthly stipends from R5 000 to R7 500, and opportunities across several fields, the programme can help successful candidates build workplace confidence and practical experience.
Applicants who meet the requirements should prepare their SACE Employment Application Form, CV and certified documents carefully before submitting their application by 07 July 2026.
