The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is inviting applications for the National Department of Forestry Internships 2026.
The internship programme is open to unemployed South African graduates and offers placements across multiple provinces. These placements are located within regional offices, forestry estates, environmental management units, and administrative divisions of the department.
The programme runs for 24 months and forms part of the department’s graduate internship intake for 2026.
Placements are available in several provinces, including:
- Gauteng
- Limpopo
- North West
- Free State
- Mpumalanga
- Eastern Cape
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Northern Cape
- Western Cape
Interns will be placed in different departments depending on their qualification field and the available internship reference number.
Who can apply
The programme is open to graduates who meet the eligibility requirements specified by the department.
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be unemployed graduates
- Hold a relevant tertiary qualification related to the internship field
- Be available for the full 24-month internship duration
Candidates must also meet the specific qualification requirements linked to the internship reference number they are applying for.
Qualification Requirements
The department is offering placements across multiple academic disciplines. Applicants must possess a qualification that aligns with the field.
Fields of study include:
- Journalism
- Public Relations
- Communications
- Forestry
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Management
- Biological Science
- Nature Conservation
- Public Administration
- Public Management
- Financial Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Business Administration
- Human Resource Management
- Information Technology
- Computer Science
- Multimedia
- Marketing
- Project Management
- GIS and Cartography
- Chemical Engineering
- Marine Science
- Aquaculture
- Zoology
- Botany
- Environmental Law
- Internal Auditing
- Risk Management
- Development Studies
- Transport Management
- Climate Science
- Social Sciences
Some require specialised majors such as:
- Silviculture
- Forest Management
- Environmental Monitoring
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Data Analytics
- Programming
- Cyber Security
- Ecology
- Environmental Law
Applicants must ensure that their qualification matches the requirements of the specific reference number.
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Programme Duration and Intake Year
- Programme duration: 24 months
- Intake year: 2026
- Programme type: Graduate internship
Internship placements will take place across regional offices, forestry estates, environmental management units, and administrative offices of the department.
The advert confirms that the programme is a graduate programme. The stipend details are typically outlined in the official government framework.
Documents Required
Applicants may be required to submit the following documents during the application process:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Academic transcripts
Applicants should ensure that all supporting documentation is attached when submitting their application.
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official application platform.
Applicants should:
- Visit the official application page
- Select the relevant internship reference number
- Complete the online application form
- Upload all required supporting documentation
- Submit the application before the closing date
Applicants should carefully review the requirements for the specific reference number before submitting their application.
Closing Date
31 March 2026
Applications received after the closing date may not be considered.
FAQ’s
How long is the National Department of Forestry internship programme?
The internship programme runs for 24 months.
Where is the programme located?
Internship placements are available across multiple provinces in South Africa, including Gauteng, Limpopo, Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.
What qualifications are required?
Applicants must have a relevant tertiary qualification aligned with the specific reference number.
Can graduates from different fields apply?
Yes. The programme includes internships in several disciplines, including environmental science, forestry, IT, finance, communications, public administration, and more.
How do applicants apply?
Applications must be submitted through the official application portal by selecting the relevant reference number.
Final Thoughts
The National Department of Forestry Internships 2026 offers placements across multiple provinces and disciplines for unemployed graduates.
Applicants should carefully review the reference numbers and qualification requirements before submitting an application. Applications must be completed before the closing date of 31 March 2026.
