The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission is seeking applications for its 2026 Graduate Internship Programme. Eight positions are available for unemployed South African graduates. The internships will be based at the CIPC Sunnyside Office in Pretoria.
Internship Details And Duration
The CIPC, operating under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, is offering a two-year internship for graduates in specific fields. Successful candidates will be placed in the Companies and Close Corporations Department for the full 24-month period. The monthly stipend for each intern is set at R12,000.
Applicants must be prepared to sign a Graduate Internship Programme Agreement if selected. The closing date for applications is 20 August 2026, and all applications must be submitted online.
Eligibility Criteria And Required Qualifications
To be considered, applicants must be South African citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. The programme is open to those who have completed a National Diploma or Degree in Law, Public Administration, or Business Management. Only graduates who have not previously participated in an internship and who lack relevant work experience in their field are eligible.
The minimum education level required is a Diploma or Advanced Certificate in the specified disciplines. Applicants with foreign qualifications must have them evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority.
Application Process And Documentation
Candidates are required to upload a single compressed document containing their CV, ID, academic transcript or record, and qualification. The CIPC warns that, “Failure to upload all required documents may result in the application being disqualified.” Only one upload is permitted per applicant, and all pages must be clear and readable.
Applications submitted via fax, email, post, or hand delivery will not be accepted. The official online recruitment portal is the only method for submission, and applicants must use the reference number CIP260806-1.
Selection And Employment Equity
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend interviews at a date, time, and venue determined by the CIPC. Feedback will only be provided to those who are shortlisted. The organisation states,
“CIPC is an equal-opportunity and affirmative-action employer.”
Preference may be given to candidates who will enhance representativity in accordance with the approved Employment Equity Plan.
Qualification and citizenship checks will be conducted on successful applicants. The CIPC reserves the right not to fill the advertised positions.
Support And Additional Information
Applicants experiencing technical difficulties with the online process can contact the CIPC Recruitment Office for assistance. The contact numbers provided are 087 743 7074, 087 743 7075, 087 743 7197, and 087 260 1554.
The internship is designed to provide practical workplace experience linked to academic studies. According to the CIPC, the programme aims to help graduates “gain practical workplace exposure, apply knowledge gained during their studies, develop work-related skills, and build experience relevant to their qualifications.”