The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has opened applications for its 2026/2027 Graduate Internship Programme, offering graduates a valuable chance to gain practical workplace exposure while earning a generous monthly stipend of R16,666.66.
This internship programme is aimed at unemployed graduates who have never participated in an internship before and are looking to build careers within the health sciences, regulatory affairs, medicine regulation, compliance, administration, and public sector environments.
A total of six internship opportunities are available in Pretoria, making this one of the more attractive graduate programmes currently open within the South African public sector.
The closing date for applications is 15 June 2026 at 16:00.
Quick Overview
Organisation: South African Health Products Regulatory Authority
Programme: Graduate Internship Programme 2026/2027
Reference Number: 16 of 2026/27
Location: Pretoria
Duration: 12 Months
Monthly Stipend: R16,666.66
Available Posts:
- 5 Internship Posts – Health Products Authorisations Unit
- 1 Internship Post – Inspectorate and Regulatory Compliance Unit
Minimum Qualification:
- National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, or related field
Closing Date:
- 15 June 2026 at 16:00
Application Method:
- Online via SAHPRA Recruitment Portal
Internship Opportunities Available
Health Products Authorisations Unit
Number of Posts:
- 5 Internship Positions
This unit is responsible for processing and evaluating applications related to health products and medicines.
Interns will gain valuable exposure to:
- Regulatory administration
- Application processing
- Database management
- Quality assurance systems
- Healthcare product regulation
Inspectorate and Regulatory Compliance Unit
Number of Posts:
- 1 Internship Position
This internship focuses on compliance monitoring and regulatory oversight activities.
Graduates interested in governance, compliance, inspections, and quality systems may find this role particularly valuable.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be unemployed graduates
- Not have participated in any previous internship programme
- Possess a National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree
- Hold qualifications in Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related field
- Have qualifications recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
- Meet the minimum NQF Level 6 or NQF Level 7 requirement
Preferred Candidates
According to SAHPRA, preference will be given to:
- Youth applicants
- Persons living with disabilities
- Candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds
- Applicants aligned with Employment Equity objectives
This reflects the organisation’s commitment to transformation and inclusive recruitment practices.
What Will Interns Do?
Successful candidates will perform a variety of administrative and regulatory support functions.
Key responsibilities include:
Application Management
- Assisting with allocation of applications
- Supporting evaluation processes
- Managing workflow activities
- Following up on outstanding evaluations
Data and Records Management
- Capturing evaluation reports
- Updating databases and tracking systems
- Maintaining records for transparency and traceability
Monitoring and Reporting
- Tracking application progress
- Producing performance reports
- Compiling operational statistics
Compliance Support
- Assisting with quality management systems
- Supporting audit processes
- Ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures
Stakeholder Coordination
- Liaising with evaluators
- Assisting technical screeners
- Supporting portfolio coordinators
- Responding to applicant queries
General Administration
- Filing and record management
- Workflow coordination
- Administrative support activities
These responsibilities provide excellent workplace exposure that can strengthen a graduate’s CV significantly.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare:
- Signed Cover Letter
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of South African ID
- Copy of Matric Certificate
- Copies of Qualifications
If you hold a foreign qualification, you must also submit:
- SAQA Evaluation Certificate
Only shortlisted candidates will later be required to provide certified copies.
How to Apply
APPLY FOR THE SAHPRA GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME 2026/2027 HERE
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Edupstairs Advice
This is one of the strongest graduate internship opportunities currently available in South Africa’s public sector.
The stipend is highly competitive, the experience is relevant across multiple industries, and the SAHPRA name carries significant credibility on a CV.
If your qualification falls within Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, Public Health, or related fields, this internship deserves serious consideration.
Do not wait until the final day to apply. Prepare your CV, cover letter, and supporting documents early so that you can submit a complete and professional application before the deadline.
Graduates who position themselves well now often gain a significant advantage when applying for permanent employment opportunities in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is this internship paid?
Yes. Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend of R16,666.66.
- How long is the internship?
The programme runs for 12 months.
- Where is the internship based?
The internship is based in Pretoria.
- Can I apply if I have completed another internship before?
No. Applicants must not have previously participated in an internship programme.
- What qualifications are accepted?
A National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related field at NQF Level 6 or 7.
- Can persons with disabilities apply?
Yes. SAHPRA encourages applications from persons living with disabilities.
- Will shortlisted candidates undergo screening?
Yes. Security checks, qualification verification, criminal checks, citizenship verification, and credit checks may be conducted.
CLOSING DATE: 15 JUNE 2026
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Disclaimer
Edupstairs is not the recruiter for this opportunity. Information provided in this article is based on the official SAHPRA internship advertisement. Applicants should always verify details and submit applications through the official recruitment channels provided by SAHPRA.
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