The Department of Employment and Labour is inviting unemployed South African graduates to apply for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Graduate Internship Programme for the 2027/2028 to 2029 financial year. This exciting graduate internship programme offers young professionals the opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience while contributing to one of South Africa’s most important public institutions.
The internship programme is designed to help graduates bridge the gap between academic studies and employment by providing practical training, professional development, and hands-on experience in various business units within the UIF. Graduates who have never participated in any internship programme in either the public or private sector are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
Whether your qualification is in Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Law, Communication, Risk Management, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or another relevant field, this internship could be your first step toward building a successful career in government.
About the UIF Graduate Internship Programme
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is a public entity under the Department of Employment and Labour. The Fund provides short-term financial relief to workers who become unemployed, are unable to work due to illness, maternity, adoption leave, or who experience reduced working hours. It also provides financial support to dependants in the event of a contributor’s death.
The UIF Graduate Internship Programme aims to equip graduates with practical workplace skills while exposing them to government operations and professional work environments. Successful candidates will be placed within different UIF divisions where they will receive mentorship, on-the-job training, and practical experience related to their qualifications.
Programme Details
- Employer: Department of Employment and Labour – Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
- Programme: Graduate Internship Programme
- Duration: 2027/2028 to 2029 Financial Year
- Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
- Monthly Stipend: R8,174.75
- Closing Date: 07 August 2026
Application Closing Times
- Walk-in Applications: 16:00
- Online Applications: 23:59
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements before applying:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be unemployed at the time of application.
- Hold an appropriate Diploma or Degree relevant to the internship applied for.
- Have completed studies at a recognised institution.
- Must never have participated in any internship programme in either the public or private sector.
- Be willing to relocate to Pretoria if successful.
- Possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Be committed to learning and professional development.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee appointment, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Available Internship Opportunities
The UIF is recruiting graduates across several departments and professional fields.
Office of the UIF Commissioner (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3OUIC2026/UIF
Audit/Governance Coordinator
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3AGC2026/UIF
Compliance Support
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3CS2026/UIF
Risk Management (x4)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/RM2026/UIF
Internal Audit (x4)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/IA2026/UIF
Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (x3)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/SPME2026/UIF
Research and Policy Development (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/RPD2026/UIF
Administrator: Office of the CIO
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/CIO2026/UIF
IT Projects (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/ITP2026/UIF
IT Business Support (x4)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/ITBS2026/UIF
IT Infrastructure Support (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/ITIS2026/UIF
IT Business Application (x6)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/ITBA2026/UIF
ICT Risk and Security
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/ICTRS2026/UIF
Administrator: Office of the Director (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/AOD2026/UIF
Human Resource Practices (x6)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/HRP2026/UIF
Employee Relations (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/ER2026/UIF
Employee Health and Wellness Programme
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/EHWP2026/UIF
Diversity Management
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/DM2026/UIF
Occupational Health and Safety
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/OHS2026/UIF
Training and Development (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/TD2026/UIF
Employee Performance Management
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/EPM2026/UIF
Organizational Development, Business Process and Change Management (x3)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/ODBPRCM2026/UIF
Legal Services (x5)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/LS2026/UIF
Board Services and Case Management (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/BSCM2026/UIF
Corporate Governance
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/CG2026/UIF
Communication and Marketing (x3)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/COM2026/UIF
Demand and Acquisition (x6)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/DA2026/UIF
Maintenance Management (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/MM2026/UIF
Records Management (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/RM2026/UIF
Asset and Fleet Management (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/AFM2026/UIF
Revenue Management (x3)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/REVM2026/UIF
Budget
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/B2026/UIF
Bank Reconciliation
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/BR2026/UIF
AP Claims Creditors
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/APCC2026/UIF
AP Trade Creditors
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/APTC2026/UIF
Labour Activation Programmes (x6)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/LAP2026/UIF
Compliance Services (x4)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/CS2026/UIF
Business Operations Statistics (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/BOS2026/UIF
Provincial Support (x4)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/PS2026/UIF
Operation Systems Support Services (x2)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/OSSS2026/UIF
Declarations and Call Centre Services (x9)
- Reference No: HR4/4/1/3/DCCS2026/UIF
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following:
- A completed new Z83 Application Form
- A comprehensive and updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- The Z83 form and CV must be combined into one PDF document
- Certified supporting documents should not be submitted at this stage. They will only be requested from shortlisted candidates.
How to Apply
Candidates must email their applications to the correct email address listed under the internship they wish to apply for. Each internship has its own unique reference number and email address. Applicants are advised to ensure that the correct reference number is quoted in their application.
Late applications, incomplete applications, or applications sent to the wrong email address may not be considered.
Important Application Notes
- Submit a completed new Z83 Application Form.
- Attach an updated CV in one combined PDF file.
- Use the correct reference number for the internship.
- Email your application to the correct email address.
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Successful applicants may undergo verification checks before appointment.
Why You Should Apply
The UIF Graduate Internship Programme provides graduates with an excellent opportunity to gain practical government work experience while receiving a monthly stipend of R8,174.75. Interns benefit from mentorship by experienced professionals, exposure to public sector operations, and the opportunity to develop technical and professional skills that improve future employability.
Government internship programmes are highly regarded by employers because they expose graduates to structured work environments, policy implementation, administration, and service delivery. Many previous interns have gone on to secure permanent employment in both the public and private sectors after completing similar programmes.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is 07 August 2026.
- Walk-in Applications: 16:00
- Online Applications: 23:59
Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.
