If you’re a young South African graduate looking to launch your career in a real, impactful way, then the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Graduate Internship Programme 2026 might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
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The NHLS is opening 35 internship opportunities across several provinces and divisions—including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State/North West, Limpopo/Mpumalanga, Western/Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), and the Corporate Division.
These internships are two-year fixed-term, non-renewable contracts, starting 1 March 2026, designed to give unemployed graduates hands-on experience, mentoring, coaching, and exposure to real workplace challenges.
If you’ve been struggling to find experience after completing your qualification, this opportunity is a genuine career breakthrough.
Quick Overview
| Opportunity | NHLS Graduate Internship Programme 2026 |
| Organisation | National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) |
| Contract Type | 2-year fixed-term internship |
| Start Date | 1 March 2026 |
| Number of Positions | 35 Internships |
| Stipend | As per NHLS stipend structure |
| Who Can Apply | Unemployed SA graduates aged 18–35 |
| Minimum Qualification | Diploma / Advanced Diploma / Degree / Honours / Master’s in listed fields |
| Closing Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Method | Email your documents to the correct regional email |
About the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)
The NHLS is South Africa’s leading public health laboratory service, supporting the national healthcare system with diagnostic pathology services, disease surveillance, specialized testing, and research.
It is home to some of the country’s most important health institutions, including:
- NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases)
- NIOH (National Institute for Occupational Health)
- Training academies and corporate divisions
The organisation plays a crucial role in diagnosing diseases, responding to public health emergencies, and supporting evidence-based healthcare.
For young graduates, training under the NHLS means learning at world-class facilities, contributing to national health priorities, and gaining hard-to-find experience.
Programme Overview
The NHLS Graduate Internship Programme 2026 is designed to equip graduates with practical skills, real workplace exposure, and mentorship from experienced professionals.
Internships will be offered across NHLS divisions and provinces, including:
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
- Limpopo/Mpumalanga
- Free State/North West
- Western/Northern Cape
- Eastern Cape
- NICD (Gauteng)
- NIOH (Gauteng)
- Corporate Division (Gauteng)
During the two-year internship, graduates will receive:
- On-the-job training
- Mentorship and coaching
- Technical and administrative experience
- Professional skill development
- A monthly stipend (according to NHLS salary structure)
Accommodation and transport are not provided.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be unemployed South African citizens, aged 18–35 years
- Have completed an NQF 6–8 qualification (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, or Master’s)
- Hold a qualification relevant to the position applied for
- Not have participated in a previous internship within the Public Service
- Possess strong communication skills in English
- Demonstrate computer literacy
- A driver’s licence is advantageous
Essential Skills & Attributes:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Positive attitude, reliability, and self-discipline
- Responsibility and results orientation
- Emotional intelligence and resilience
- Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
- Technical and functional competence
Available Internship Positions (By Region & Division)
NIOH – National Institute for Occupational Health (Gauteng)
- Email: Recruiter1@nioh.ac.za
- Contact: Ms Ketisitseng Maseko – 011 712 6528
Available Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts | Minimum Qualification |
| Information Technology | NIOH-IT-001-12/25 | 1 | Diploma/Advanced Diploma/BBA/BCom in IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering, IS, Computer Engineering |
| Finance | NIOH-FIN-001-12/25 | 1 | Diploma/National Diploma/BCom/BBA in Financial Management, Accounting, Finance |
| Human Resources | NIOH-HR-001-12/25 | 1 | Diploma/Advanced Diploma/BTech/BCom/BA in HRM/Development/Industrial Psychology |
Western & Northern Cape Region
- Email: gonose@nhls.ac.za
- Contact: Ms Asamkele Gonose
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| Human Resource | WCNC-HR-001-12/25 | 2 |
Limpopo/Mpumalanga Region
- Email: LIMPRegion@nhls.ac.za
- Contacts: Ms Marcia Nxumalo / Ms Jeaneth Masibigiri
- Tel: 015 296 3910
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| Human Resource | LIMP-HR-001-12/25 | 2 |
NICD – National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Gauteng)
- Email: recruiter3@nicd.ac.za
- Contact: Ms Kgaogelo Mkwanazi – 011 386 6090
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| NICD-IT Department | NICD-IT-001-12/25 | 1 |
KwaZulu-Natal Region
- Email: kznrecruitment@nhls.ac.za
- Contacts: Mr Shaun Govender / Ms Promise Mncube / Mr Calvin Naidoo / Ms Stacey Wilkins
- Tel: 031 327 6768
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| Finance (Procurement) | KZN-FIN-001-12/25 | 1 |
| Human Resource | KZN-HR-001-12/25 | 2 |
Free State & North West Region
- Email: recruitment1@nhls.ac.za
- Contact: Ms Nomusa Sithole – 066 376 6372
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| Procurement | FSNW-PROC-001-12/25 | 1 |
| Finance | FSNW-FIN-001-12/25 | 1 |
Gauteng Region
- Email: Recruitment@nhls.ac.za
- Contact: Mr Michael Ramalepe – 011 489 9775
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| Finance (Procurement) | GAU-FIN-001-12/25 | 1 |
| Office of Area Manager | GAU-AM-001-12/25 | 1 |
| Human Resource | GAU-HR-001-12/25 | 2 |
Eastern Cape Region
- Email: Ecrecruitment@nhls.ac.za
- Contacts: Ms Lindokuhle Mbele / Ms Phumzile Mbilini / Mr Funda Nobatyi
- Tel: 047 502 4192 / 041 395 6162
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| Infrastructure | EC-INFR-001-12/25 | 1 |
| Human Resource & Learning Academy | EC-HR-001-12/25 | 1 |
| Logistics | EC-LOG-001-12/25 | 1 |
| Procurement/SCM | EC-PROC-001-12/25 | 1 |
Corporate Division (Gauteng)
- Email: Corporate2@nhls.ac.za
- Contacts: Ms Sesethu Bhabha / Mr Lunga Mndebele – 011 386 6187
Positions:
| Department | Ref No. | Posts |
| 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 |
Required Application Documents
Your application must include:
- A comprehensive CV (with dates of qualifications & experience)
- Certified copies of your ID, qualifications, driver’s licence (if applicable)
- Certification must be valid at submission
How to Apply
When applying:
- Use the correct email for the region/division
- Clearly state the position title + REF number in the subject line
- Submit all documents—incomplete applications are NOT considered
- Apply before 10 December 2025
Before you Apply, Check the Edupstairs Youth Tools Hub below that can be helpful in your application
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice
- Apply early—do not wait for the last day
- Make sure your documents are certified and readable
- Tailor your CV to highlight relevant skills
- Use a professional email subject line, e.g.:
NHLS Internship Application – REF: GAU-HR-001-12/25 – Human Resource - Follow up politely if you don’t receive an acknowledgement
And most importantly: Don’t doubt yourself. Opportunities like this change lives.
Career Growth Path After This Internship
Completing an NHLS internship opens several professional doors:
- Permanent roles within NHLS divisions
- Entry-level positions in government health departments
- Opportunities at hospitals, clinics, research institutions
- Roles in HR, IT, Finance, Logistics, Supply Chain, Risk & Audit
- Pathways into postgraduate studies, laboratory training, or specialised fields
Many former interns secure employment in the public sector due to the credibility and experience gained.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is work experience required?
No. This programme is specifically for unemployed graduates with limited or no experience.
- Can I apply for more than one region?
Yes—but submit separate applications to each region’s email.
- What is the stipend amount?
As per NHLS policy (exact amount not listed in the advert).
- Can I apply if I already completed an internship elsewhere?
Not if the internship was within the public service.
- Can I apply without a driver’s licence?
Yes. A licence is only advantageous, not compulsory.
CLOSING DATE: 10 DECEMBER 2025
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Disclaimers
- Edupstairs is not the official NHLS recruiter.
- Always verify information through official NHLS channels.
- Edupstairs does not charge any fees—applications are FREE.
- Do not send documents via WhatsApp or Facebook groups claiming to represent NHLS.
EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR SCAM/FRAUD ALERT PAGE HERE