The Department of Human Settlements has opened 38 graduate internship placements paying R8,174.75 per month, giving unemployed Free State graduates 24 months of public-sector workplace experience across information technology, engineering, administration, finance, law, planning, human resources and other fields. Applications close at 16:00 on 21 August 2026.
The programme targets South African citizens who originate from and currently reside in the Free State, are unemployed and have never previously participated in a Public Service Internship Programme.
Most opportunities require Grade 12 together with at least a National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification, although some specialist streams require National Qualifications Framework Level 7.
Furthermore, applicants can submit their documents by email, post or hand delivery at designated Human Settlements offices. Candidates who submitted applications under the earlier advertisement that was withdrawn are specifically encouraged to submit again.
Which graduates can compete for the 38 placements?
The intake covers a broad range of academic backgrounds, making it relevant to graduates from both technical and administrative disciplines.
The largest intake sits within the Project Management Unit, where the department is recruiting 15 graduates with qualifications linked to Civil Engineering, Construction Management and related technical disciplines.
Another 10 opportunities are available in Office Administration District Services, while two positions are available in Information Technology.
Additional placements cover finance, supply chain management, law, planning, auditing, human resources, communications and labour relations.
Every advertised placement runs on a 24-month contract and carries the same monthly stipend of R8,174.75.
Which qualifications match the available internship streams?
Candidates should match their qualification carefully before choosing a reference number.
The available streams include:
- Information Technology District Services – 2 posts: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Information Technology, Computer Systems and Networks. Reference HS001/2026.
- Project Management Unit District Services – 15 posts: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 or 7 qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a technically related field. References HS002/2026 to HS006/2026.
- Office Administration District Services – 10 posts: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Office Administration or Management. References HS007/2026 to HS011/2026.
- Administrators – Affordable Housing: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Public Administration, Office Administration or an equivalent field. Reference HS012/2026.
- Rental Tribunal: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification in Law, Bachelor of Laws or an equivalent field. Reference HS013/2026.
- Housing Development and Planning: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification in Urban Planning, Town and Regional Planning or Development Studies. Reference HS014/2026.
- Supply Chain Management – Bid Administration and Logistics Management – 2 posts: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Public Administration, Supply Chain Management or Financial Management. Reference HS015/2026.
- Financial and Budget Management – Salaries and Tax – 2 posts: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Accounting or Financial Management. Reference HS016/2026.
- Internal Audit: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Internal Auditing or Financial Information Systems. Reference HS017/2026.
- Human Resources Management: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Human Resources Management, Public Administration or Management. Reference HS018/2026.
- Corporate Communication: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Corporate Communication or Media Studies. Reference HS019/2026.
- Labour Relations: Grade 12 plus a minimum National Qualifications Framework Level 6 qualification in Labour Relations or Human Resources Management. Reference HS020/2026.
In addition, the department expects candidates across these streams to have basic knowledge of government prescripts and principles.
Where will the district internship opportunities be placed?
Not all 38 graduates will work from the same office.
The Project Management Unit and Office Administration streams spread opportunities across five district areas.
For Project Management Unit District Services, three positions are available in each of the following:
- Thabo Mofutsanyana District – reference HS002/2026
- Fezile Dabi District – reference HS003/2026
- Lejweleputswa District – reference HS004/2026
- Mangaung District – reference HS005/2026
- Xhariep District – reference HS006/2026
Meanwhile, Office Administration offers two positions in each district:
- Thabo Mofutsanyana District – reference HS007/2026
- Fezile Dabi District – reference HS008/2026
- Lejweleputswa District – reference HS009/2026
- Mangaung District – reference HS010/2026
- Xhariep District – reference HS011/2026
The Information Technology opportunities and the specialist corporate streams are based in Bloemfontein.
Why could the 24-month programme matter for graduates?
The programme gives qualifying graduates two full years to turn academic knowledge into practical public-sector experience.
For example, engineering and construction graduates may gain exposure to human-settlements project environments, while administration graduates can learn how district offices manage records, processes and service delivery.
Similarly, finance and supply chain graduates can build experience within government financial systems, while law and planning graduates can gain insight into housing-related regulatory and development functions.
Participants may strengthen skills such as:
- Professional communication.
- Government administration.
- Record and document management.
- Reporting.
- Stakeholder engagement.
- Working within public-sector procedures.
- Project coordination.
- Teamwork and accountability.
- Applying academic knowledge in a professional setting.
Consequently, successful completion could give graduates substantial experience to add to their curriculum vitae after the 24-month period.
Who should not submit an application?
The eligibility conditions are particularly important for this intake.
Applicants must be South African citizens who originate from and reside in the Free State. In addition, they must currently be unemployed.
Most importantly, candidates must never have participated in a Public Service Internship Programme before.
Therefore, graduates who previously completed a public-service internship should not submit an application simply because their qualification matches one of the advertised streams.
The programme aims to provide this experience to graduates who have not previously benefited from a Public Service Internship Programme.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Choose your reference number from your qualification first, not simply from the office nearest to you. Several streams appear across different districts, and the department requires the correct post title, office and reference number on the Z83 form. Double-check all three before submitting.
What documents must applicants prepare?
The department requires a new Z83 Application for Employment form together with a recent comprehensive curriculum vitae.
Applicants do not need to attach certified copies of qualifications when submitting the initial application. Instead, only shortlisted candidates will need to provide certified qualifications and other supporting documents on or before the interview date after Human Resources communicates with them.
Candidates who need the current form can use this new Z83 form download and completion guide.
The Z83 must be:
- Fully completed.
- Signed by the applicant.
- Initialled where required.
- Completed using the correct post title.
- Completed with the correct office.
- Completed with the correct reference number.
Applications using the old Z83 form will not be considered.
Applicants should also include contactable referees in their curriculum vitae, together with telephone numbers and email addresses.
What happens if a qualification was obtained outside South Africa?
Candidates with foreign qualifications need an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority.
Applicants should arrange this documentation early rather than waiting for the recruitment process to reach the interview stage.
The department may also conduct personnel suitability checks before finalising appointments.
These checks can include:
- Criminal-record verification.
- Financial checks.
- Qualification verification.
- Reference checks.
- Employment-history verification.
Therefore, candidates should make sure all information provided in their curriculum vitae and Z83 form is complete and accurate.
How can candidates submit their applications?
Applicants have several submission options.
The department accepts applications by email, post or hand delivery.
Candidates using email must send their documents to:
The post name and reference number must appear in the email subject line.
Postal applications should be addressed to:
Head: Human Resource Management Directorate
Department of Human Settlements
P.O. Box 247
Bloemfontein
9300
Candidates who prefer physical delivery can use the relevant departmental location:
- Bloemfontein: Foyer of OR Tambo House, St Andrews Street.
- Qwaqwa: Human Settlements Offices, Mampoi Street, Phuthaditjhaba.
- Sasolburg: Mora Investments House, Erf 15, Fichard Street.
- Welkom: Human Settlements Offices, Kopano Complex, 312 Long Road.
Physical applications must go into the appropriately marked box at Security. Departmental staff inside the offices will not accept applications directly.
Furthermore, the department does not accept faxed applications.
What should applicants who responded to the withdrawn advert do?
They should submit a new application.
The department specifically states that candidates who applied under the previous advertisement that was withdrawn are encouraged to apply again.
Therefore, anyone who submitted documents during the earlier recruitment round should not assume that their previous application remains active.
They should prepare the current Z83, confirm the correct reference number and submit again before the new deadline.
When do applications close?
Applications close on 21 August 2026 at 16:00.
Candidates should treat the 16:00 cut-off as part of the deadline rather than assuming submissions will remain open until midnight.
Email applicants should also avoid waiting until the final minutes because incomplete forms, incorrect references or missing curriculum vitae documents could leave little time to correct mistakes.
Before submitting, check that:
- You reside in and originate from the Free State.
- You are currently unemployed.
- You have never participated in a Public Service Internship Programme.
- Your qualification matches the selected stream.
- You have used the new Z83 form.
- Your Z83 is fully completed, signed and initialled.
- The correct post title appears on the form.
- The correct reference number appears on the form.
- Your recent comprehensive curriculum vitae is attached.
- Your referees have working telephone numbers and email addresses.
- Email submissions show the post name and reference number in the subject line.
These final checks could prevent an otherwise eligible application from being disqualified.
What happens after applications close?
The department will communicate primarily with shortlisted candidates.
If an applicant receives no communication within four months after the closing date, they should regard their application as unsuccessful.
Successful candidates will enter into a 24-month employment contract and must conclude a performance agreement within three months of appointment.
Additionally, appointed interns will need to undergo security clearance within three months after joining the department.
The department also reserves the right not to fill any of the advertised positions.
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Final Thoughts
The Department of Human Settlements Graduate Internship Programme 2026 creates 38 opportunities for unemployed Free State graduates, with each successful candidate receiving R8,174.75 per month over a 24-month contract.
The intake covers a particularly wide range of disciplines, from Information Technology, Civil Engineering and Construction Management to Office Administration, Law, Finance, Internal Auditing, Human Resources and Corporate Communication.
However, eligibility remains strict. Applicants must originate from and reside in the Free State, must be unemployed and must never have participated in a Public Service Internship Programme.
With applications closing at 16:00 on 21 August 2026, qualifying graduates should identify the reference matching their qualification, complete the new Z83 carefully and submit their curriculum vitae through the prescribed channel before the deadline.
