Office of the Chief Justice Graduate Internship – Apply by 28 Sep 2026
There is a timely chance to gain real‑world experience in South Africa’s top courts. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) is opening its Graduate Internship Programme for unemployed graduates – apply before the deadline.
What the programme is
The OCJ Graduate Internship Programme offers roughly 29 paid positions across the National Office, the Constitutional Court, High Courts and provincial service centres. Interns work for 24 months, from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029.
Who can apply
- South African citizens only
- Unemployed graduates (no current job)
- Never taken part in an OCJ internship before
- Hold the exact qualification required for the chosen position (see list below)
- Meet the SAQA credit and NQF level requirements (usually NQF 6 – 360 credits, or NQF 8 – 480 credits for legal posts)
What you gain
- Monthly stipend of R 8 174.75
- Hands‑on experience in law, finance, human resources, public administration and more
- Professional networking within the South African judiciary
- Possibility to build a career in the public sector after the internship
How to apply – step by step
- Read the full list of internship positions and note the reference number that matches your qualification.
- Download the new Z83 Application for Employment form from the OCJ website.
- Complete the Z83 form carefully and sign it.
- Prepare an up‑to‑date CV (no more than two pages).
- Send an email with the completed Z83 form attached and your CV to the specific email address for the reference number you are applying for (e.g. 2026/F01/OCJ@judiciary.org.za). Use the correct reference in the subject line.
- If you wish to apply for more than one internship, send a separate email for each reference number.
- Make sure you submit before the closing date: 28 September 2026.
Tips to improve your chances
- Double‑check that your qualification matches the exact NQF level and credit requirement.
- Tailor your CV to highlight relevant modules, projects or work‑experience for the chosen role.
- Proofread the Z83 form; an incomplete or unsigned form will be rejected.
- If the internship is outside your province, calculate rent, transport, food and other living costs to ensure the stipend will cover them.
- Prepare for a possible pre‑entry practical exercise and interview if you are short‑listed.
Quick overview
| Programme detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Office of the Chief Justice |
| Programme | Graduate Internship Programme |
| Period | 1 April 2027 – 31 March 2029 |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Positions | ≈ 29 |
| Stipend | R 8 174.75 per month |
| Locations | Gauteng, Western Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, National Office |
| Target group | Unemployed South African graduates |
| Previous internship | Not allowed |
| Qualification level | NQF 6 National Diploma/Degree (legal posts need NQF 8 LLB) |
| Closing date | 28 September 2026 |
| Application method | Email to the address assigned to each reference number |
Internship positions
Finance Internship
Reference: 2026/F01/OCJ – Location: National Office, Midrand – Stipend: R 8 174.75/month
Required qualification: Grade 12 plus a three‑year National Diploma in Financial Accounting or Management Accounting (NQF 6, 360 credits) or an equivalent NQF 6 qualification.
Asset Management Internship
Reference: 2026/AMO2/OCJ – Location: National Office, Midrand
Qualifications: Financial Accounting, Cost & Management Accounting, Accounting or any NQF 6 qualification with 360 credits.
Human Resource Utilisation and Development Internship
Reference: 2026/HRUD03/OCJ – Location: National Office, Midrand
Qualifications: National Diploma in Human Resource Management, Human Resource Development, Industrial Psychology or any equivalent NQF 6 qualification.
Employee Health and Wellness Internship
Reference: 2026/EHW04/OCJ – Location: National Office, Midrand
Qualifications: Industrial Psychology, Social Science, Psychology or any equivalent NQF 6 qualification.
Risk Management Internship
Reference: 2026/RM05/OCJ – Location: National Office
Qualification: National Diploma in Risk Management (NQF 6) or an equivalent qualification.
Risk Management – Public Management Internship
Reference: 2026/RM06/OCJ – Location: National Office
Qualification: National Diploma in Public Management (NQF 6) or equivalent.
Strategy and Service Delivery – Strategy and Planning
Reference: 2026/SSD07/OCJ – Location: National Office
Qualifications: Public Administration, Developmental Studies, Social Science or any equivalent NQF 6 qualification.
Strategy and Service Delivery
Reference: 2026/SSD08/OCJ – Location: National Office, Midrand
Qualifications: Public Administration, Office Management, Business Administration or equivalent.
Institutional Secretariat Services Internship
Reference: 2026/ISS09/OCJ – Location: National Office, Midrand
Qualifications: Public Administration, Office Management, Business Administration.
Court Administration Internship
Reference: 2026/CA10/OCJ – Positions: 2 – Location: National Office, Midrand
Qualifications: Public Management, Office Management or any equivalent NQF 6 qualification.
Western Cape Provincial Service Centre – Human Resources
Reference: 2026/WCPSC11/OCJ – Location: Cape Town
Qualification: Human Resource Management (NQF 6) or equivalent.
Western Cape Provincial Service Centre – Administration
Reference: 2026/WCPSC12/OCJ
Qualifications: Public Administration, Office Management, Business Administration.
Constitutional Court – Administration
Reference: 2026/CC13/OCJ – Location: Constitutional Court, Braamfontein
Qualifications: Public Administration, Office Management, Business Administration.
Constitutional Court – Legal Internship
Reference: 2026/CC14/OCJ – Location: Constitutional Court, Braamfontein
Requirements: Grade 12 and an LLB (NQF 8, 480 credits) recognised by SAQA.
Constitutional Court – Human Resources
Reference: 2026/CC15/OCJ – Positions: 2 – Location: Constitutional Court, Braamfontein
Qualification: National Diploma or Degree in Human Resource Management or equivalent.
Court Administration Services – Legal Internships (3 positions)
All require an LLB (NQF 8, 480 credits).
- Gauteng Division of the High Court – Pretoria – Reference: 2026/CAS16/OCJ – Email: 2026/CAS16/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
- Gauteng Division of the High Court – Johannesburg – Reference: 2026/CAS17/OCJ – Email: 2026/CAS17/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
- Labour and Labour Appeals Court – Johannesburg – Reference: 2026/CAS18/OCJ – Email: 2026/CAS18/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Gauteng Provincial Service Centre
Reference: 2026/GPSC19/OCJ
Qualifications: Public Administration, Office Management, Business Administration.
Free State High Court – Public Management / Administration
Reference: 2026/FS20/OCJ
Qualifications: Public Management or Public Administration.
Free State High Court – Human Resources
Reference: 2026/FS21/OCJ
Qualifications: Human Resource Management or Industrial Psychology.
Mpumalanga Provincial Service Centre – Administration
Reference: 2026/MPSC22/OCJ
Qualifications: Public Management, Office Management or Public Management and Governance.
Mpumalanga Provincial Service Centre – Human Resources
Reference: 2026/MPSCM23/OCJ – Positions: 2
Qualifications: Human Resources or Industrial Psychology.
Mpumalanga Division of the High Court – Middelburg
Reference: 2026/MPSCM24/OCJ
Qualifications: Public Management or Office Management.
Northern Cape Provincial Service Centre – Human Resources
Reference: 2026/NCPSC25/OCJ
Qualifications: Human Resource Management or Industrial Psychology.
Northern Cape Division of the High Court – Administration
Reference: 2026/NCDHC26/OCJ
Qualifications: Public Management or Office Management.
Documents you must submit
- Completed and signed new Z83 form
- Updated CV
If you are shortlisted, you will later need certified copies of your Matric certificate, academic transcripts, qualification, ID and any foreign qualification must be evaluated by SAQA.
What to expect after applying
- Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a practical pre‑entry exercise.
- Interviews will be scheduled at the Department’s discretion.
- Selection is competitive; a stipend does not guarantee permanent employment.
Important reminder
Applying for a placement outside your home province means you must pay for your own accommodation, transport and living costs. Use the stipend figure to work out if the move is financially feasible.
Next steps
Check the qualification requirements carefully, fill out the Z83 form, and send your application to the correct email address before 28 September 2026. While you wait, consider looking for other graduate programmes on the SETA SA platform to broaden your options.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the programme? A 24‑month internship for unemployed graduates in courts and OCJ offices.
- When does it start? 1 April 2027, ending 31 March 2029.
- How long is it? 24 months.
- How much is the stipend? R 8 174.75 per month.
- How many positions are there? About 29 across all reference numbers.
- Can I apply if I have a previous internship? No, you must not have participated in an OCJ internship before.
- Are South African citizens required? Yes.
- Do persons with disabilities have a chance? Yes, preference is given in line with the Employment Equity Plan.
- Are National Diploma graduates eligible? Yes, if the diploma meets the NQF 6, 360‑credit requirement.
- Can LLB graduates apply? Yes, for the legal posts (LLB, NQF 8, 480 credits).
- Is the Z83 form mandatory? Yes – only the new Z83 form is accepted.
- Do I need to send certified documents now? No. Only the Z83 and CV are required initially; certificates are requested later.
- Can I apply for several internships? Yes, but you must send a separate email for each reference number.
- Can I work in a different province? Yes, but you must arrange your own housing and travel.
- Will I be assessed? Shortlisted candidates may take a practical exercise and interview.
- Does the internship lead to a permanent job? No guarantee; it is a fixed‑term programme.
- Where can I find more internships? Visit the SETA SA platform for other graduate opportunities.
- Where can I research my qualification? Use the career and qualification tools offered by SETA SA.
- When is the deadline? 28 September 2026.
