The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) invites eligible graduates to apply for its 2026 Graduate Internship Programme. Applications close on 10 December 2025.
What’s on Offer?
- Program name: NHLS Graduate Internship Programme 2026
- Job type: Fixed‑term internship, 2 years long, no renewal
- Start date: 1 March 2026
- Positions available: 35 internships across several provinces
- Pay: Monthly stipend (see NHLS salary structure)
- Who can apply? Unemployed South African graduates, 18‑35 years old, with a diploma, advanced diploma, degree, honours or master’s in a listed field
- Deadline: 10 December 2025
About the National Health Laboratory Service
NHLS is South Africa’s biggest public health laboratory system. It helps hospitals, clinics and research teams by testing samples, spotting disease trends and providing reliable health data. The service includes:
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
- National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH)
- Training academies and corporate divisions
Working at NHLS lets you see how laboratory science supports people’s health, and you’ll learn from world‑class experts.
Internship Overview
The internship is a hands‑on experience. You’ll get:
- Real workplace training
- One‑to‑one mentorship from experienced staff
- Technical and admin work that matters to patient care
- Skill building in teamwork, communication and problem‑solving
- A monthly allowance (exact amount follows NHLS rules)
Note: Accommodation and transport are not part of the package.
Minimum Qualifications
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | South African, unemployed |
| Age | 18–35 |
| Education | NQF 6–8 (Diploma to Master’s) in a related field |
| Experience | No prior public‑sector internship |
| Skills | Good English communication, computer use |
| Driver’s licence | Helpful but not mandatory |
Essential traits: teamwork, reliability, self‑discipline, emotional intelligence, good organisation, and a willingness to learn.
Where You Can Work
Below are the regions and the specific departments that are hiring. Each entry contains the reference number and the number of posts.
| Region | Department | Ref No. | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | Finance (Procurement) | GAU‑FIN‑001‑12/25 | 1 |
| Office of Area Manager | GAU‑AM‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| Human Resources | GAU‑HR‑001‑12/25 | 2 | |
| KwaZulu‑Natal (KZN) | Finance (Procurement) | KZN‑FIN‑001‑12/25 | 1 |
| Human Resources | KZN‑HR‑001‑12/25 | 2 | |
| Free State / North West | Procurement | FSNW‑PROC‑001‑12/25 | 1 |
| Finance | FSNW‑FIN‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| Western & Northern Cape | Human Resources | WCNC‑HR‑001‑12/25 | 2 |
| Limpopo / Mpumalanga | Human Resources | LIMP‑HR‑001‑12/25 | 2 |
| Eastern Cape | Infrastructure | EC‑INFR‑001‑12/25 | 1 |
| Human Resources & Learning Academy | EC‑HR‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| Logistics | EC‑LOG‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| Procurement/SCM | EC‑PROC‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| NIOH (Gauteng) | IT | NIOH‑IT‑001‑12/25 | 1 |
| Finance | NIOH‑FIN‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| Human Resources | NIOH‑HR‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| NICD (Gauteng) | IT Department | NICD‑IT‑001‑12/25 | 1 |
| Corporate Division (Gauteng) | Communications (Graphic Design) | CORP‑COMM1‑001‑12/25 | 1 |
| Communications (Web Design) | CORP‑COMM2‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| Human Resources | CORP‑HR‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| ER Department | CORP‑IR‑001‑12/25 | 1 | |
| IT Developers | CORP‑ITD‑001‑12/25 | 2 | |
| Risk & Internal Audit | CORP‑RI‑001‑12/25 | 4 |
If you’re interested in a specific region, use that region’s contact details below:
- KwaZulu‑Natal: Email: kznrecruitment@nhls.ac.za | Tel: 031 327 6768
- Eastern Cape: Email: Ecrecruitment@nhls.ac.za | Tel: 047 502 4192 / 041 395 6162
Other regions use the general NHLS email or the email listed in the job posting.
Application Checklist
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – include dates for each qualification and job role.
- Certified copies of ID, degree certificates, and driver’s licence (if you have one).
- Proof that all copies are valid at the time you send them.
Missing any document will mean your application is not considered.
How to Send Your Application
- Pick the correct email address for the region you want to work in.
- In the subject line write:
“NHLS Internship Application – REF: [REF‑NUMBER] – [DEPARTMENT]” - Attach all required documents in one PDF file or in separate PDFs.
- Send before 10 December 2025.
If you do not get a reply in a week, send a polite follow‑up email asking if your application was received.
After the Internship
A successful NHLS internship can open doors to:
- Full‑time jobs inside NHLS divisions
- Roles in government health departments
- Positions at hospitals, clinics and research labs
- Careers in HR, IT, Finance, Logistics, Supply Chain or Risk & Audit
- Further study such as a postgraduate degree or specialised laboratory training
Many former interns have moved on to stable public‑sector jobs thanks to the experience and credibility they earned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is past work experience needed?
No – the programme is for graduates who are still unemployed or have limited experience.Can I apply to more than one region?
Yes. Send a separate application to each region’s email address.What is the stipend amount?
The exact figure follows NHLS policy and is paid monthly.Can I apply if I’ve already done an internship in another public sector?
No – previous public‑sector internships disqualify you.Do I need a driver’s licence?
It’s a plus if you have one, but it’s not mandatory.
Closing Date
10 December 2025 – Don’t miss it!
Important Reminders
- NHLS is the official employer; it does not charge any application fees.
- Verify all details through NHLS’s official website or the contact emails above.
- Never send documents via WhatsApp or Facebook messages that claim to be from NHLS.
Good luck – this internship could be the first step toward a rewarding career in public health.
