SAPS SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme 2026: 24-Month Opportunity for Unemployed Graduates
The South African Police Service has opened applications for the SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme 2026, offering unemployed graduates the chance to gain valuable workplace experience in the safety and security sector.
This opportunity is funded by the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority and forms part of South Africa’s National Skills Development Strategy and Human Resource Development Strategy. The aim is simple but powerful: help graduates move from theory into real work environments.
The internship runs for 24 months and places graduates across different divisions within SAPS. During this period, interns gain practical exposure in areas such as social work, psychological support, crime intelligence analysis, auditing, and risk management.
For graduates who want to build a career in the security sector while gaining hands-on professional experience, this programme can open important doors.
Programme Overview
The internship is structured as a Workplace Integrated Learning programme, allowing graduates to apply their academic knowledge in real operational environments.
Key details of the programme include:
Programme Type: Workplace Integrated Learning Internship
Duration: 24 months
Funding: SASSETA
Sector: Safety and Security
Stipend: Determined by SASSETA
Interns will work in various SAPS departments while learning from experienced professionals and contributing to ongoing programmes that support the organisation.
General Requirements
To qualify for the SAPS SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme, applicants must meet several requirements.
Applicants must:
Be a South African citizen
Be between 18 and 35 years old
Have a National Senior Certificate (Matric) or NCV Level 4
Be unemployed at the time of application
Have no criminal record or pending criminal cases
Never have participated in a similar internship programme
Apply for a maximum of three internship positions
Each position requires a separate application form, so candidates must ensure they submit individual applications if applying for multiple roles.
Social Work Internships (16 Positions)
The Social Work Internship falls under the Learner Support division and focuses on supporting employee wellbeing within SAPS.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must hold:
A BA Degree in Social Work (NQF Level 6 or higher)
Candidates must also be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions.
Internship Locations
Bhisho – 2 positions
Bishop Lavis – 2 positions
Graaff-Reinet – 2 positions
Mthatha – 2 positions
Oudtshoorn – 2 positions
Ulundi – 2 positions
Tshwane – 2 positions
Phillipi – 2 positions
Key Duties
Interns will assist with:
Providing occupational social work services
Supporting employee wellness programmes
Implementing preventative and restorative social work interventions
These roles are designed to strengthen employee wellbeing within SAPS while giving graduates valuable professional experience.
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Psychologist / Trauma Counsellor Internships (13 Positions)
These internships focus on psychological support services for SAPS members who work in high-pressure environments.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must have:
An Honours Degree or B.Psych Degree in Psychology
Candidates must also be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Interns will be involved in:
Providing counselling and psychological support
Facilitating employee wellness programmes
Conducting organisational mental health interventions
Locations
Bhisho – 3 positions
Bishop Lavis – 1 position
Graaff-Reinet – 1 position
Mthatha – 1 position
Oudtshoorn – 1 position
Ulundi – 1 position
Tshwane – 3 positions
Phillipi – 2 positions
Crime Intelligence Analyst Internships (8 Positions)
The Crime Intelligence division offers internships for graduates interested in intelligence analysis and crime prevention.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must have a National Diploma or Degree in one of the following fields:
Sociology
Criminology
Political Science
Internship Locations
Bloemfontein
Johannesburg
Durban
Polokwane
Nelspruit
Kimberley
Potchefstroom
Bishop Lavis
Key Duties
Interns will support intelligence operations by:
Assisting with intelligence analysis
Producing risk and threat reports
Supporting crime intelligence operations
This role gives graduates insight into how intelligence supports crime prevention strategies.
Internal Audit Internships (9 Positions)
The Internal Audit section focuses on compliance, governance, and financial oversight.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must hold a Diploma or Degree in:
Internal Audit
Accounting
Financial Management
Commerce
Information Technology
Internship Locations
Pretoria
Polokwane
Potchefstroom
Bloemfontein
Durban
Cape Town
Kimberley
Nelspruit
East London
Responsibilities
Interns will help with:
Risk assessments
Audit reviews
Audit reporting and documentation
These internships provide valuable exposure to risk-based auditing practices.
Risk Management Practitioner Internships (2 Positions)
These internships are based at Head Office in Pretoria and focus on strengthening organisational risk management systems.
Qualification Requirements
Degrees in the following fields are accepted:
Risk Management
Internal Auditing
Cost and Management Accounting
Finance
Business Continuity Management
Responsibilities
Interns will assist with:
Developing risk management frameworks
Supporting business continuity planning
Preparing risk management reports
Integrity Management Practitioner Internships (2 Positions)
These roles also take place at Head Office in Pretoria and focus on ethics and accountability within SAPS.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must have qualifications in areas such as:
Public Administration
Public Management
Human Resource Management
Internal Audit
Risk Management
Forensic Investigation
Law and Policing
Responsibilities
Interns will assist with:
Ethics and integrity investigations
Analysis of corruption and misconduct cases
Ethics awareness programmes
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documents:
Official SAPS Graduate Recruitment Application Form
Updated Curriculum Vitae
Uncertified copy of ID document
Matric certificate
Academic qualifications
Statement of results
Applications submitted by email or fax will not be accepted.
All applications must be posted or hand delivered to the relevant SAPS offices listed in the official advertisement.
Important Notes for Applicants
Shortlisted candidates will undergo fingerprint screening and security vetting. Interviews will also be conducted as part of the selection process.
Successful applicants will sign a 24-month internship contract funded by SASSETA.
Completing the programme does not guarantee permanent employment, but it provides valuable work experience in the safety and security sector.
How to Apply
NB. For Position names, Reference Numbers and information on How to Apply, click the link given below
SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme.pdf
For the correct position names, reference numbers, and submission addresses, applicants should consult the official SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme advertisement document.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the SAPS SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme is 13 March 2026.
Applicants who do not receive feedback within three months after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.
Conclusion
The SAPS SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme offers graduates a rare chance to gain structured professional experience inside one of the country’s most important public institutions.
With placements across social work, psychology, intelligence analysis, auditing, and risk management, the programme provides a practical learning environment where graduates can develop real workplace skills.
For young professionals interested in contributing to the safety and security sector while building their careers, this internship could become a powerful starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the SAPS SASSETA internship?
South African graduates between the ages of 18 and 35 who are unemployed and meet the qualification requirements for the specific internship role.
How long does the internship last?
The internship programme runs for 24 months.
Is there a stipend for interns?
Yes. Interns receive a stipend determined by SASSETA.
Can I apply for more than one internship position?
Yes. However, applicants may apply for a maximum of three positions, and each application must include a separate application form.
Does completing the internship guarantee a job at SAPS?
No. Completing the internship does not guarantee permanent employment, but it provides valuable experience that can help graduates build their careers.
