The Free State Department of Health is offering a major internship and Work Integrated Learning opportunity for South African graduates and TVET College students in 2026.
According to the official advertisement, the programme includes 99 Graduate Internship positions running for 24 months and 29 TVET Work Integrated Learning positions running for 18 months. This means there are 128 opportunities in total across hospitals, district offices, the Medical Depot and other Free State Department of Health facilities.
Opportunities are available in fields including Office Management, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Human Resources, Data Analysis, Dental Assistance, Hospitality Management, Electrical Engineering and more.
Graduate interns will receive a stipend of R98 087 per annum, while TVET Work Integrated Learning participants will receive R83 103 per annum.
Quick Overview
- Organisation: Free State Department of Health
- Programme: Graduate Internship Programme and TVET Work Integrated Learning
- Province: Free State
- Total opportunities: 128
- Graduate Internship duration: 24 months
- Graduate Internship stipend: R98 087 per annum
- TVET WIL duration: 18 months
- TVET WIL stipend: R83 103 per annum
- Graduate qualification level: Relevant NQF Level 6 National Diploma or NQF Level 7/8 Degree
- TVET requirement: Grade 12 plus N6 Certificate/academic record
- Citizenship: South African citizenship required
- Applications: Online through the Free State Department of Health e-Recruitment system
- Closing date: 04 September 2026
About the Free State Department of Health Internship Programme
This recruitment drive provides two different pathways.
The first is the 24-month Graduate Internship Programme, intended for applicants who have completed an appropriate tertiary qualification.
The second is an 18-month Work Integrated Learning programme, specifically aimed at qualifying TVET College students who need workplace exposure connected to their N6 studies.
The programmes should therefore not be treated as interchangeable. Applicants should identify the programme that corresponds with their qualification before submitting an application.
Graduate Internship Programme: 99 Positions
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Office Management – 27 Posts
Post: Graduate Internship Programme: Office Management
Post number: 30/101
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
The 27 positions are distributed across:
- Mangaung District Office – 1
- Pelonomi Hospital – 2
- Universitas Hospital – 1
- Free State Psychiatric Hospital – 2
- Lejweleputswa District Office, Welkom – 1
- Bongani Hospital – 2
- Nala Hospital – 1
- Thusanong Hospital – 1
- Fezile Dabi District Office – 2
- Tokollo/Mafube Hospital – 1
- Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office – 2
- Thebe Hospital – 1
- Phumelela Hospital – 1
- Manapo Hospital – 1
- Itemoheng Hospital – 1
- Dihlabeng Hospital – 2
- Elizabeth Ross Hospital – 1
- Xhariep District Office – 2
- Stoffel Coetzee Hospital – 1
- Albert Nzula Hospital – 1
The official advertisement confirms these 27 placements across various Free State health facilities.
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Dental Assistant – 6 Posts
Post: Graduate Internship Programme: Dental Assistant
Post number: 30/102
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
Positions are available at:
- Lejweleputswa District Office, Welkom – 1
- Fezile Dabi District Office – 1
- Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office – 3
- Xhariep District Office – 1
Dental Assistant applicants must also be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
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Finance Management – 23 Posts
Post: Graduate Internship Programme: Finance Management
Post number: 30/103
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
The 23 opportunities are spread across multiple facilities, including Mangaung District Office, Botshabelo Hospital, Universitas Hospital, Medical Depot Bloemfontein, Corporate Office and EMS Hub, Dr JS Moroka Hospital, Bongani Hospital, Mohau Hospital, Parys Hospital, Boitumelo Hospital and several other facilities.
Applicants should pay close attention to the individual reference number associated with their preferred placement.
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Supply Chain Management – 5 Posts
Post number: 30/104
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
Positions are available at:
- National Hospital – 2
- Corporate Office – 2
- Xhariep District Office – 1
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Supply Chain Management / Public Management / Financial Management – 10 Posts
Post number: 30/105
Reference: H/G/SPF/1/2026
Centre: Corporate Office and EMS Hub
Number of positions: 10
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
This opportunity is particularly relevant to graduates whose qualifications relate to Supply Chain Management, Public Management or Financial Management.
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Data Analyst – 1 Post
Post number: 30/106
Reference: H/G/DA/1/2026
Centre: Medical Depot Bloemfontein
Number of positions: 1
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
-
Quantity Surveyor / Architecture / Building Construction – 5 Posts
Post number: 30/107
Reference: H/G/QS/1/2026
Centre: Corporate Office and EMS Hub
Number of positions: 5
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
This category creates an opportunity for suitably qualified graduates from the built-environment field to gain experience within a provincial government health environment.
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Information Technology – 19 Posts
Post number: 30/108
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
Placements include:
- Corporate Office and EMS Hub – 10
- Thusanong Hospital – 1
- Fezile Dabi District Office – 1
- Parys Hospital – 1
- Tokollo/Mafube Hospital – 2
- Boitumelo Hospital – 1
- Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital – 1
- Manapo Hospital – 1
- Elizabeth Ross Hospital – 1
This is one of the largest individual streams in the graduate programme, with 19 positions available.
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Human Resource Management – 3 Posts
Post number: 30/109
Stipend: R98 087 per annum
Positions are available at:
- Nala Hospital – 1
- Fezi Ngombentombi Hospital – 1
- Stoffel Coetzee Hospital – 1
Official Requirements for Graduate Internships
According to the official Free State Department of Health advertisement, graduate applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Have completed Grade 12.
- Have an undergraduate tertiary qualification appropriate to the relevant field.
- Hold an NQF Level 6 National Diploma or NQF Level 7/8 Degree.
- Not have already completed a 24-month internship programme.
- Note that historically disadvantaged individuals will receive preference.
The department also identifies communication, computer literacy, organisational ability, literacy, time management, problem-solving, numeracy, written and spoken communication, presentation and telephone etiquette among the required knowledge and skills.
Applicants should not assume that possession of any diploma or degree makes them eligible. The qualification must be appropriate to the internship field for which they apply.
TVET Work Integrated Learning Programme: 29 Positions
The advertisement also contains a separate 18-month Work Integrated Learning programme for TVET students.
These opportunities carry a stipend of R83 103 per annum.
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Hospitality Management – 15 Posts
Post number: 30/110
Stipend: R83 103 per annum
Placements are available at:
- Pelonomi Hospital – 1
- Botshabelo Hospital – 1
- Universitas Hospital – 1
- Free State Psychiatric Hospital – 1
- Nala Hospital – 1
- Parys Hospital – 1
- Fezi Ngombentombi Hospital – 1
- Boitumelo Hospital – 2
- Phekelong/Nketoana Hospital – 1
- Dihlabeng Hospital – 1
- Elizabeth Ross Hospital – 1
- Stoffel Coetzee Hospital – 1
- Embekweni Hospital – 1
- Diamant Hospital – 1
-
Electrical Engineering – 2 Posts
Post number: 30/111
Stipend: R83 103 per annum
Placements:
- National Hospital – 1
- Thusanong Hospital – 1
-
Financial Management – 4 Posts
Post number: 30/112
Stipend: R83 103 per annum
Placements:
- Medical Depot Bloemfontein – 1
- Fezile Dabi District Office – 1
- Tokollo/Mafube Hospital – 1
- Manapo Hospital – 1
-
Human Resource Management – 6 Posts
Post number: 30/113
Stipend: R83 103 per annum
Placements include:
- Lejweleputswa District Office, Welkom – 1
- Bongani Hospital – 1
- Katleho/Winburg Hospital – 1
- Thebe Hospital – 1
- District Office – 1
- Albert Nzula Hospital – 1
-
Managerial Assistant – 2 Posts
Post number: 30/114
Stipend: R83 103 per annum
Placements:
- Mohau Hospital – 1
- Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office – 1
Official Requirements for TVET Work Integrated Learning
The requirements for these positions differ from the graduate internship requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Have completed Grade 12.
- Have an N6 Certificate/academic record.
- Apply for a field relevant to their TVET studies.
- Not have previously completed an 18-month learnership of this nature.
- Note that historically disadvantaged individuals will receive preference.
The department also lists communication, computer, organisational, literacy, time-management, problem-solving, numeracy, written and spoken communication and telephone etiquette among the desired skills.
What Will Successful Applicants Do?
For graduate interns, the advertisement states that participants will perform basic tasks assigned by a mentor in relation to their field of study.
Graduate interns must also attend a funded Personal Mastery Course for Public Service Graduate Interns.
TVET WIL participants will similarly perform tasks under the guidance of a mentor, but their work will also relate to their Learner Guide, Workbook or Logbook. They are also required to attend the funded Personal Mastery Course applicable to Work Integrated Learning appointees.
This distinction is important for N6 students who specifically need practical workplace exposure toward completing their studies.
How to Apply
The official advertisement directs applications to the Free State Department of Health’s online e-Recruitment system:
Free State Health e-Recruitment:
https://ihealth.fshealth.gov.za/e-Recruitment
The same application route is stated repeatedly across the advertised internship and WIL positions.
Applicants should identify the exact position, centre and reference number before beginning the online application.
Edupstairs Application Guidance
The following is practical Edupstairs guidance rather than additional requirements stated in the advertisement.
Before submitting your application:
- Check whether your qualification corresponds with the advertised field.
- Choose the correct internship or WIL category.
- Record the exact reference number for your preferred placement.
- Make sure the information entered online matches your academic and personal documents.
- Check that uploaded documents are clear and readable where uploads are requested by the system.
- Do not describe yourself as having qualifications you have not completed.
- For TVET WIL positions, have your N6 Certificate or academic record ready.
- Dental Assistant applicants should ensure their required HPCSA registration information is current and available.
- Submit early rather than waiting until the final hours before the closing date.
Graduate Internship or TVET WIL: Which One Should You Apply For?
This is one of the most important distinctions in the advertisement.
Apply for the Graduate Internship Programme if you have completed an appropriate NQF Level 6 National Diploma or NQF Level 7/8 Degree and meet the other requirements.
Apply for the TVET Work Integrated Learning programme if you are an eligible TVET student with Grade 12 and an N6 Certificate/academic record who requires workplace-based experience in the relevant field.
Do not apply for a graduate position simply because its title resembles your TVET programme. Follow the qualification requirements stated for the particular programme.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake is applying for every available position regardless of qualification. A Finance Management graduate, for example, should not automatically apply for an IT internship simply because both require a diploma or degree.
Another potential problem is using the wrong reference number. Some internship categories have multiple centres, each carrying a different reference.
Applicants should also avoid:
- Leaving sections of the online application incomplete.
- Providing inaccurate academic information.
- Applying for programmes for which they have already completed the stated internship or learnership period.
- Ignoring programme-specific requirements such as HPCSA registration for Dental Assistants.
- Waiting until the last possible moment to submit.
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
Need Help?
Edupstairs Advice
With 128 positions across graduate and TVET streams, this recruitment programme is worth considering for young South Africans who have completed relevant qualifications and want practical experience within the public health sector.
However, the number of positions should not encourage applicants to submit indiscriminate applications.
Start by matching your qualification to the correct field. Then identify the facility and reference number applicable to the position you want. A carefully targeted and accurate application is more useful than applying for positions for which your qualification does not meet the stated criteria.
TVET N6 students should pay particular attention to the Work Integrated Learning section. These opportunities are specifically structured around workplace learning, including the use of a Learner Guide, Workbook or Logbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many Free State Health internship opportunities are available?
Based on the positions contained in the supplied advertisement pages, there are 128 positions: 99 Graduate Internship positions and 29 TVET Work Integrated Learning positions.
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How long is the Graduate Internship Programme?
The Graduate Internship Programme runs for 24 months.
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How long is the TVET Work Integrated Learning programme?
The TVET programme runs for 18 months.
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How much are graduate interns paid?
The advertised stipend is R98 087 per annum.
-
How much do TVET WIL participants receive?
The advertised stipend is R83 103 per annum.
-
Can someone with an N6 Certificate apply?
Yes, the advertised TVET Work Integrated Learning opportunities require Grade 12 together with an N6 Certificate/academic record, subject to the other stated requirements.
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Can graduates who previously completed a 24-month internship apply?
The advertisement states that interns who have already completed a 24-month internship programme may not apply for the advertised graduate internship positions.
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Are these opportunities only for healthcare qualifications?
No. The programme includes non-clinical fields such as Finance Management, IT, Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Management, Office Management, Data Analysis, Quantity Surveying, Architecture and Building Construction.
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Where are the internships based?
Positions are spread across numerous Free State Department of Health facilities, including hospitals, district offices, the Corporate Office and EMS Hub, and Medical Depot Bloemfontein.
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Where do applicants submit applications?
The official advertisement directs applicants to the Free State Health e-Recruitment system: https://ihealth.fshealth.gov.za/e-Recruitment
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What is the closing date?
The closing date is 04 September 2026
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Disclaimer
Edupstairs is not the Free State Department of Health and does not participate in the recruitment or selection process.
This article explains information contained in the supplied official vacancy advertisement. Applicants remain responsible for checking the official recruitment system for the latest information, closing date, application instructions and any updates before applying.
Never pay anyone who claims they can secure an internship, learnership or government position for you.
Editorial Integrity
Edupstairs independently explains employment, internship, learnership and training opportunities to help South African job seekers understand official advertisements.
Official requirements in this article have been separated from Edupstairs guidance. Where information was not provided in the supplied advertisement pages—such as the closing date—it has not been invented.
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