The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is recruiting young graduates into its Graduate in Training Programme for 2026, a structured route into a career in the public sector. The programme is aimed at final-year students and unemployed graduates aged 18 to 35 who want to gain professional experience and grow within one of the country’s most important institutions. No prior work experience is required. Applications are managed through the official SARS e-recruitment portal, and you should apply as soon as a relevant post is advertised.
About the SARS Graduate in Training Programme
SARS is the national tax authority responsible for collecting revenue and administering customs for South Africa, and its work directly funds schools, hospitals, grants and infrastructure across the country. To secure its future skills, SARS has rebuilt its Graduate in Training Programme as a long-term feeder system that brings young, emerging talent into the organisation.
The programme is designed to take graduates who have completed their tertiary education and develop them into capable professionals who can support the institution over the coming years. It currently runs through two main streams – a general Graduate Development Programme and a Chartered Accountant Training Programme that is accredited by SAICA. For a young South African, joining SARS as a graduate trainee means working alongside experienced professionals, building practical skills in a respected national body, and gaining the kind of experience that opens doors throughout the public and private sectors.
What You Will Gain
- Structured workplace training within a leading national institution
- Practical experience that strengthens your CV and career prospects
- Exposure to professionals and mentors across tax, customs and corporate functions
- A potential long-term career path inside SARS
- For accounting graduates, a SAICA-accredited Chartered Accountant Training Programme stream
Who Can Apply
- You must be a South African citizen
- You should be between the ages of 18 and 35
- Final-year students at higher education institutions and unemployed graduates may apply
- No work experience is required for the graduate trainee programme
- For learnership-style streams, a relevant degree or diploma (NQF 6 or 7) completed within the last two years may be required
- You should currently be unemployed and available to start the programme
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Required Documents
- An updated, comprehensive CV
- A certified copy of your South African ID
- Certified copies of your qualifications and academic transcripts
- Any additional documents requested in the specific advert you apply for
How to Apply
- Prepare your CV, certified ID and certified academic records in advance.
- Visit the official SARS careers and vacancies portal and create an e-recruitment profile.
- Search for the Graduate in Training or Graduate Development opportunities that match your qualification.
- Complete the online application and upload all required documents.
- Submit before the closing date shown on that specific advert and save your confirmation.
Closing Date
Each SARS Graduate in Training opportunity has its own closing date, published on the specific advert in the SARS e-recruitment portal. Apply as soon as a relevant post opens. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
South Africa produces thousands of graduates every year, yet many of them sit at home because employers want experience that first-time job seekers simply cannot have. Graduate programmes like this one break that cycle by giving young people their first real, paid, professional experience.
Joining SARS is especially valuable because it is a respected national institution, and the skills you build in tax, finance, customs or administration are recognised across both the public and private sectors. For an unemployed graduate, this is a chance to turn a qualification into a working career, to build a professional network, and to step into a role that contributes directly to the country. Opportunities like this are competitive, so a strong, complete application matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need work experience to apply?
No. The Graduate in Training Programme is aimed at final-year students and unemployed graduates, and no prior work experience is required.
What qualifications do I need?
You need a completed or final-year tertiary qualification. Some streams ask for a relevant degree or diploma at NQF level 6 or 7 completed within the last two years.
Is there an age limit?
SARS supports youth employment and encourages applications from people between the ages of 18 and 35.
Where do I apply?
All applications are submitted online through the official SARS e-recruitment portal on the SARS careers website. Each advert lists its own closing date.
