Office of the Chief Justice Graduate Internship Programme 2026: X29 Opportunities for Unemployed Graduates

 

The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) is inviting suitably qualified unemployed South African graduates to apply for its Graduate Internship Programme, offering approximately 29 internship positions across the National Office, Constitutional Court, High Courts and provincial service centres.

Although applications are being advertised in 2026, successful candidates will participate in the programme for 24 months, from 1 April 2027 until 31 March 2029.

The programme provides opportunities for graduates in fields including Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Risk Management, Public Administration, Public Management, Office Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences and Law.

Successful interns will receive a stipend of R8,174.75 per month.

Applicants who are unsure how their qualification connects to particular occupations can use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to search South African careers, SAQA qualifications, NQF levels and career-to-qualification pathways. The platform currently includes more than 1,500 OFO careers and thousands of South African qualification records.

Quick Overview: Office of the Chief Justice Graduate Internship Programme

Programme Detail	Information
Organisation	Office of the Chief Justice
Programme	Graduate Internship Programme
Programme Period	1 April 2027 – 31 March 2029
Duration	24 Months
Approximate Internship Positions	29
Stipend	R8,174.75 per month
Locations	Gauteng, Western Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and National Office
Target Group	Unemployed South African graduates
Previous Internship	Applicants must not previously have participated in an internship programme
Qualification Level	Mainly NQF Level 6 National Diploma/Degree; selected legal positions require an NQF Level 8 LLB
Closing Date	28 September 2026
Application Method	Email using the address allocated to the relevant reference number

The official advert states that applicants must be unemployed graduates, must be South African citizens and should not previously have participated in an internship programme. Preference may also be given to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Office of the Chief Justice Employment Equity Plan.

Office of the Chief Justice Internship Opportunities

The OCJ intake covers several professional disciplines. Applicants should apply only for the opportunity that genuinely matches their qualification.

1. Finance Internship

Reference: 2026/F01/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office, Midrand
Stipend: R8,174.75 per month

Qualifications

Applicants require:

• Grade 12; and
• a three-year National Diploma in Financial Accounting or Management Accounting at NQF Level 6 with 360 credits recognised by SAQA; or
• an equivalent relevant NQF Level 6 qualification.

Applicants interested in accounting careers can also search Accountant, Financial Accountant and Management Accountant pathways through the Career & Qualification Explorer.

Application email: 2026/F01/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

2. Asset Management Internship

Reference: 2026/AMO2/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office, Midrand
Stipend: R8,174.75 per month

Relevant qualifications include:

• Financial Accounting;
• Cost and Management Accounting;
• Accounting; or
• an equivalent NQF Level 6 qualification with 360 credits.

Application email: 2026/AM02/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

3. Human Resource Utilisation and Development Internship

Reference: 2026/HRUD03/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office, Midrand

Applicants require a three-year National Diploma in:

• Human Resource Management;
• Human Resource Development;
• Industrial Psychology; or
• an equivalent relevant qualification at NQF Level 6.

Graduates interested in HR careers can explore the Human Resources pathways available through the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.

Application email: 2026/HRUD03/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

4. Employee Health and Wellness Internship

Reference: 2026/EHW04/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office, Midrand

Relevant qualifications include:

• Industrial Psychology;
• Social Science;
• Psychology; or
• equivalent qualifications at NQF Level 6.

Application email: 2026/EHW04/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

The qualification requirements for these first National Office internships are specified in the OCJ advert.

5. Risk Management Internship

Reference: 2026/RM05/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office

Applicants require a three-year National Diploma in Risk Management at NQF Level 6 or an equivalent qualification.

Application email: 2026/RM05/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

6. Risk Management – Public Management Internship

Reference: 2026/RM06/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office

Applicants require a National Diploma in Public Management at NQF Level 6 or an equivalent qualification.

Application email: 2026/RM06/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

7. Strategy and Service Delivery – Strategy and Planning

Reference: 2026/SSD07/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Administration;
• Developmental Studies;
• Social Science; or
• equivalent NQF Level 6 qualification.

Application email: 2026/SSD07/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

8. Strategy and Service Delivery

Reference: 2026/SSD08/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office, Midrand

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Administration;
• Office Management;
• Business Administration; or
• equivalent qualification.

Application email: 2026/SSD08/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

9. Institutional Secretariat Services Internship

Reference: 2026/ISS09/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: National Office, Midrand

Relevant qualifications include:

• Public Administration;
• Office Management;
• Business Administration.

Application email: 2026/ISS09/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

These Risk Management, Strategy and Secretariat requirements are listed in the supplied OCJ advertisement.

10. Court Administration Internship

Reference: 2026/CA10/OCJ
Positions: X2
Location: National Office, Midrand

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Management;
• Office Management;
• relevant equivalent qualification at NQF Level 6.

Application email: 2026/CA10/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

11. Western Cape Provincial Service Centre – Human Resources

Reference: 2026/WCPSC11/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: Cape Town

Required qualification:

• Human Resource Management at NQF Level 6 or equivalent.

Application email: 2026/WCPSC11/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

12. Western Cape Provincial Service Centre – Administration

Reference: 2026/WCPSC12/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Administration;
• Office Management;
• Business Administration.

Application email: 2026/WCPSC12/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

13. Constitutional Court – Administration

Reference: 2026/CC13/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: Constitutional Court, Braamfontein

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Administration;
• Office Management;
• Business Administration.

Application email: 2026/CC13/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

14. Constitutional Court – Legal Internship

Reference: 2026/CC14/OCJ
Positions: X1
Location: Constitutional Court, Braamfontein

Applicants require:

• Grade 12; and
• an LLB Degree at NQF Level 8 with 480 credits recognised by SAQA.

This is one of the most important opportunities in the intake for unemployed Law graduates seeking exposure within South Africa’s superior-court environment.

Students who are still planning a future law qualification can use the Edupstairs University Explorer to investigate university programmes, admission requirements and study pathways.

Application email: 2026/CC14/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

15. Constitutional Court – Human Resources

Reference: 2026/CC15/OCJ
Positions: X2
Location: Constitutional Court, Braamfontein

Applicants require a National Diploma/Degree in Human Resource Management or an equivalent qualification.

Application email: 2026/CC15/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

The Constitutional Court and Western Cape positions, including the LLB requirement for the legal internship, are explicitly set out in the official advert.

Court Administration Services Legal Internships – X3

Three additional legal internships are available within Gauteng.

Applicants require an LLB Degree at NQF Level 8 with 480 credits recognised by SAQA.

16. Gauteng Division of the High Court – Pretoria

Reference: 2026/CAS16/OCJ
Positions: X1

Application email: 2026/CAS16/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

17. Gauteng Division of the High Court – Johannesburg

Reference: 2026/CAS17/OCJ
Positions: X1

Application email: 2026/CAS17/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

18. Labour and Labour Appeals Court – Johannesburg

Reference: 2026/CAS18/OCJ
Positions: X1

Application email: 2026/CAS18/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

The advert confirms all three locations and specifies an LLB at NQF Level 8 with 480 credits.

Additional Provincial Internships

19. Gauteng Provincial Service Centre

Reference: 2026/GPSC19/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Administration;
• Office Management;
• Business Administration.

Application email: 2026/GPSC19/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

20. Free State High Court – Public Management / Administration

Reference: 2026/FS20/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Management;
• Public Administration.

Application email: 2026/FS20/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

21. Free State High Court – Human Resources

Reference: 2026/FS21/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Human Resource Management;
• Industrial Psychology.

Application email: 2026/FS21/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

22. Mpumalanga Provincial Service Centre – Administration

Reference: 2026/MPSC22/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Management;
• Office Management;
• Public Management and Governance.

Application email: 2026/MPSC22/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

23. Mpumalanga Provincial Service Centre – Human Resources

Reference: 2026/MPSCM23/OCJ
Positions: X2

Relevant qualifications:

• Human Resources;
• Industrial Psychology.

Application email: 2026/MPSCM23/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

24. Mpumalanga Division of the High Court – Middelburg

Reference: 2026/MPSCM24/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Management;
• Office Management.

Application email: 2026/MPSCM24/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

25. Northern Cape Provincial Service Centre – Human Resources

Reference: 2026/NCPSC25/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Human Resource Management;
• Industrial Psychology.

Application email: 2026/NCPSC25/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

26. Northern Cape Division of the High Court – Administration

Reference: 2026/NCDHC26/OCJ
Positions: X1

Relevant qualifications:

• Public Management;
• Office Management.

Application email: 2026/NCDHC26/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

The final provincial positions and their qualification requirements appear in the last two pages of the supplied advertisement.

Who Can Apply?

According to the official OCJ advert, applicants must:

• be South African citizens;
• be unemployed graduates;
• not previously have participated in an internship programme;
• hold the qualification required by the internship they select; and
• meet the stated SAQA/NQF credit requirements.

The Office of the Chief Justice also states that its Employment Equity Plan will be considered and that preference will be given to persons with disabilities.

NQF Level and SAQA Requirements Matter

Do not apply simply because the name of your qualification sounds similar to the field advertised.

Most of the National Diploma opportunities specifically refer to an NQF Level 6 qualification with 360 credits recognised by SAQA.

Legal opportunities require an LLB at NQF Level 8 with 480 credits.

Applicants can use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate SAQA qualifications, NQF levels and related occupational pathways before applying.

The Explorer currently brings together thousands of South African qualification records alongside OFO occupations and career-to-qualification connections.

How to Apply for the Office of the Chief Justice Internship Programme

Applications must quote the correct reference number.

Applicants must complete the new Z83 Application for Employment form and attach a recently updated CV.

According to the official advert, applications submitted using the old Z83 form will not be considered.

The application must be sent to the email address specifically allocated to the internship reference number.

Do not send one generic application to every OCJ email address.

If you are applying for more than one qualifying opportunity, the OCJ instructs applicants to submit a separate application for each reference number.

Documents Required at Application Stage

The advert requires:

• completed and signed new Z83 form; and
• recently updated CV.

Shortlisted candidates will later be required to provide certified copies of:

• Matric certificate;
• academic transcripts;
• relevant qualification;
• academic record; and
• South African ID.

Applicants with foreign qualifications are responsible for ensuring that those qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Applicants May Be Required to Complete an Assessment

Being shortlisted does not automatically mean receiving an internship.

The OCJ states that shortlisted candidates will undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment process.

Applicants may also be invited to selection interviews at a date, time and place determined by the Department.

Appointments remain subject to verification and pre-screening processes.

Applying Outside Your Province? Consider the Costs

This point is particularly important.

The OCJ states that candidates applying for an internship outside their residential area must be willing to arrange their own accommodation and transport, taking into account that they will be earning a stipend.

Before accepting an opportunity far from home, estimate:

• rent;
• deposit;
• transport;
• food;
• electricity;
• data;
• relocation costs; and
• other monthly expenses.

The advertised stipend is R8,174.75 per month, so candidates should calculate whether relocation is financially realistic.

Explore Graduate Internship Pathways Through the SETA Platform

Graduates should not depend entirely on government internship programmes.

The Edupstairs SETA Platform allows applicants to search programmes across South Africa’s 21 SETAs, including internships, graduate programmes, WIL, learnerships, apprenticeships, skills programmes and bursaries.

There is also a dedicated Graduate Internships pathway on the SETA Platform for graduates looking for workplace experience beyond the OCJ intake.

For OCJ applicants, relevant sector pathways can vary according to qualification.

For example:

• Finance and Accounting graduates may investigate finance-sector programmes;
• HR graduates can investigate Human Resources and management-development pathways;
• Public Administration graduates can investigate public-sector and local-government opportunities;
• Law graduates can investigate professional-development and candidate legal pathways; and
• Business Administration graduates can search broader management and workplace-development programmes.

TVET Graduates: Use the TVET College Explorer

The OCJ advert mainly targets completed National Diploma and Degree qualifications, but TVET students and graduates should continue looking for WIL and workplace-experience routes that match their level of study.

The Edupstairs TVET College Explorer covers all 50 public TVET Colleges and allows students to investigate programmes, campuses, admission information, application resources and NSFAS guidance.

TVET N6 students who still require practical workplace experience should also monitor the SETA Platform for Work Integrated Learning and workplace placement programmes.

University Students and Future Applicants

Students who have not yet completed the qualifications required for these internships can use the Edupstairs University Explorer to research university programmes, admission requirements, APS requirements, applications and student resources.

A Grade 12 learner interested in eventually working in areas such as law, finance, HR, public administration or risk management can follow a pathway such as:

Career → Qualification → University/College → Graduate → Internship → Workplace Experience → Permanent Employment

Latest Internships and Graduate Opportunities Published on Edupstairs

Do not submit one OCJ application and stop looking.

Several new graduate and internship opportunities have been published on Edupstairs during the past four days.

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Application Checklist

Before sending your application, make sure that:

• you are a South African citizen;
• you are currently unemployed;
• you have not previously participated in an internship programme;
• your qualification matches the internship exactly;
• your qualification satisfies the required NQF level and credits;
• you have selected the correct reference number;
• you have completed the new Z83 form;
• your Z83 is signed;
• your CV is updated;
• your contact details are correct;
• you have selected the correct application email;
• you submit a separate application for every reference number you apply for;
• you are financially prepared if applying outside your province; and
• you submit before the advertised closing date.

Tools you may find useful:

• SETA Platform
• RDP / BNG Housing Eligibility Checker
• SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
• SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
• Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
• SA Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker
• UIF Benefits Eligibility Checker and Payment Estimator

View Other Employment Opportunities here

• Government Entry Level Jobs
• Company Entry Level Jobs
• South African Teaching Posts

Need Help?

• Ask Edupstairs anything here OR
• Ask the Edupstairs Community here
• Download the New Z83 form here

Edupstairs Advice

The Office of the Chief Justice Graduate Internship Programme is particularly valuable for graduates who want to build experience within the South African public service and judicial administration environment.

However, do not apply indiscriminately.

A Public Administration graduate should focus on the Public Administration, Public Management, Strategy, Court Administration or Office Management opportunities for which their qualification genuinely meets the stated criteria.

An HR graduate should prioritise the HR-specific opportunities.

An Accounting graduate should focus on Finance or Asset Management.

An LLB graduate should pay particular attention to the Constitutional Court and Court Administration Services legal internships.

Tailor your CV accordingly.

For example, a Public Administration graduate can highlight:

• public-sector administration;
• governance;
• policy;
• records management;
• public finance modules;
• service delivery;
• research;
• report writing;
• Microsoft Office skills; and
• administrative projects completed during study.

An LLB graduate can highlight:

• legal research;
• legal writing;
• constitutional law;
• labour law;
• administrative law;
• civil procedure;
• court-related academic exposure; and
• legal drafting.

Do not claim experience you do not have.

Your goal is to demonstrate how your academic training and genuine skills relate to the internship you selected.

Most importantly, keep applying elsewhere.

Use the Career & Qualification Explorer to understand where your qualification can lead, the SETA Platform to investigate workplace-development opportunities, the University Explorer for further-study pathways and the TVET College Explorer for vocational and occupational routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Office of the Chief Justice Graduate Internship Programme?

It is a 24-month workplace-experience programme for qualifying unemployed South African graduates across various OCJ offices and courts.

2. When does the programme start?

The advertised internship period starts on 1 April 2027 and ends on 31 March 2029.

3. How long is the internship?

The programme runs for 24 months.

4. How much is the stipend?

The advertised stipend is R8,174.75 per month.

5. How many opportunities are available?

The supplied advertisement contains approximately 29 internship positions across the advertised reference numbers and locations.

6. Can unemployed graduates apply?

Yes. The programme specifically targets unemployed graduates.

7. Can someone who previously completed an internship apply?

The advert states that applicants should not previously have participated in an internship programme.

8. Are South African citizens required?

Yes.

9. Can persons with disabilities apply?

Yes. The OCJ specifically states that preference will be given to persons with disabilities in line with its Employment Equity considerations.

10. Are National Diploma graduates eligible?

Yes, many opportunities require a three-year National Diploma at NQF Level 6 with 360 credits, although applicants must check the exact qualification required for each post.

11. Can LLB graduates apply?

Yes. Several legal opportunities require an LLB Degree at NQF Level 8 with 480 credits recognised by SAQA.

12. Do I need the Z83 form?

Yes. Applicants must use the new Z83 form.

13. Do I submit certified documents immediately?

The advert instructs applicants to submit the completed Z83 and updated CV initially. Certified qualifications, Matric certificate, academic records and ID are requested from shortlisted candidates.

14. Can I apply for several OCJ internships?

Yes, provided you genuinely meet each position’s requirements. However, the OCJ requires a separate application for each reference number.

15. Can I apply for an internship in another province?

Yes, but the OCJ states that candidates must arrange their own accommodation and transportation.

16. Will shortlisted candidates undergo assessments?

Yes. The advert states that shortlisted candidates may undertake a pre-entry practical exercise and selection interview.

17. Does an internship guarantee permanent employment?

No. The advertisement describes a fixed-term internship programme and does not guarantee permanent appointment afterwards.

18. Where can I find other graduate internships?

Use the Edupstairs SETA Platform and monitor the latest internship articles published on Edupstairs.

19. Where can I research my qualification and career?

Use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.

20. What is the closing date?

Applications close on 28 September 2026.

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

 

 

Disclaimer

This article is an Edupstairs Opportunity Explainer based primarily on the official Office of the Chief Justice internship advertisement supplied for the 2026 recruitment cycle.

Applicants should always verify the reference number, qualification requirements, email address and application instructions against the official OCJ/DPSA advertisement before submitting an application.

Edupstairs does not recruit on behalf of the Office of the Chief Justice and cannot guarantee selection, shortlisting or appointment.

Editorial Integrity

Official information in this article — including the internship period, stipend, qualifications, reference numbers, locations, application instructions and closing date — is based on the supplied Office of the Chief Justice advertisement.

Links to the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer, SETA Platform, University Explorer, TVET College Explorer and related internship articles are additional Edupstairs guidance designed to help applicants investigate broader education and employment pathways.

Where the official advert does not provide information, Edupstairs does not invent requirements.

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