Circular 40 of 2026: entry-level government posts and graduate internships

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has published Public Service Vacancy Circular 40 of 2026. This summary lists the posts in the circular that suit school leavers and new graduates: clerk, secretary, driver, cleaner and general worker posts, plus 20 graduate internship places at the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR).

Each department handles its own applications. Quote the exact reference number and use the application address given for each post below.

Key facts

• Circular: Public Service Vacancy Circular 40 of 2026
• Closing date: 20 November 2026 for most posts, and 30 November 2026 for the Western Cape posts
• Clerk and secretary salary: R237,453 a year (Level 5)
• Cleaner, general worker and labourer salary: R144,024 a year (Level 2)
• DMPR internship stipend: R8,174.75 a month
• Application form: the new Z83 form, signed and dated, with a detailed CV

DMPR Graduate Internship Programme

DMPR is inviting South African graduates to its Graduate Internship Programme for 2026/2027 – 2027/2028. Every place is one intern and pays R8,174.75 a month. Interns arrange their own accommodation and transport.

• Environmental Science (3 places), Pretoria: Refs DMPR/INT/2026/001, 002 and 003. Degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Management.
• Legal (Criminal Enforcement), Pretoria: Ref DMPR/INT/2026/004. LLB.
• Community Development (Social and Labour Plan, 5 places): Emalahleni (005), eThekwini (006), Polokwane (007), Kimberley (008) and Braamfontein (009). Degree in Development Studies, Community Development or Social Science.
• Mine Economics (3 places): Gqeberha (010), Klerksdorp (011) and Kimberley (012). National Diploma or Degree in Geology.
• Mineral Information Management (GIS, 2 places): Northern Cape (013) and Free State (014). National Diploma or Degree in GIS/Cartography, Town and Regional Planning, Geomatics or Environmental Sciences.
• Occupational Medicine and Occupational Hygiene (2 places), Pretoria: Refs 015 and 016. Degree in Statistics or Applied Statistics.
• Human Resource Development, Pretoria: Ref 017. National Diploma in HR Development, Management of Training or HR Management.
• Occupational Health and Safety, Pretoria: Ref 018. National Diploma or Degree in Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety or Safety Management.
• Communications, Pretoria: Ref 019. National Diploma or Degree in Communication, Public Relations, Media Studies, Marketing or Journalism.
• System Development and Maintenance (IT), Pretoria: Ref 020. National Diploma or Degree in IT, Computer Science, Business Information or Business Intelligence.

Applicants who have already taken part in another government internship programme will not be considered. Students who need workplace experience to finish their qualification must attach a letter from their institution.

How to apply: use the DMPR e-Recruitment System, or post/courier your application to Private Bag X59, Pretoria, 0001, or hand-deliver it to Trevenna Campus, Pretoria.

The same circular also advertises the DMPR Learner Inspector Programme (Mine Health and Safety). See the Learner Inspector listing for details.

DMPR clerk posts

• Administration Clerk, Braamfontein (Gauteng regional office): Ref 0112. Grade 12 and a valid driver's licence.
• Registry Clerk, Cape Town: Ref 0110. Grade 12.
• Registry Clerk, Braamfontein: Ref 0111. Grade 12.

Apply through the same DMPR e-Recruitment System or postal address as the internships.

South African Police Service (SAPS)

These are public service (not police officer) posts.

• Administration Clerk (2 posts), Corporate Communication and Liaison, Pretoria: Refs CCL 03/2026 and CCL 04/2026. Grade 12. Email MashiloaneK@saps.gov.za.
• Secretary, Corporate Communication and Liaison, Pretoria: Ref CCL 05/2026. Grade 12. Email MashiloaneK@saps.gov.za.
• General Worker (2 posts), Pretoria: Ref CCL 06/11/2026. Grade 10. Email PretoriusK@saps.gov.za.
• Secretary (2 posts), Presidential Protection Service, Pretoria: Refs PPS 15/2026 and PPS 16/2026. Grade 12. Email MnyalatyhoLL@saps.gov.za, SekwapeND@saps.gov.za, SibandeK@saps.gov.za or ModihaI@saps.gov.za.
• Supply Chain Clerk (Loss Management), Presidential Protection Service, Pretoria: Ref PPS 18/2026. Grade 12. Same email addresses as the PPS secretary posts.
• Human Resource Clerk, Presidential Protection Service, Cape Town: Ref PPS 17/2026. Grade 12. Email KamanaEN@saps.gov.za, TeyiseS@saps.gov.za or cpt-ppu@saps.gov.za.
• Administration Clerk, North West, Mmabatho: Ref NW TMS 02/10/2026. Grade 12. Email rampaiam@saps.gov.za or DikaneK@saps.gov.za.
• Labourer, North West ICT Unit, Phokeng: Ref NW TMS 03/10/2026. ABET Level 4 or Grade 9. Same North West email addresses.

The SAPS posts close at 16:00 on 20 November 2026. Use a separate Z83 for each post.

Other national departments and entities

• Department of Defence, Administration Clerk: Production, Erasmuskloof (Pretoria): Ref DPSP 34/40/26. Grade 12, no experience required. R237,453 – R279,708 a year. Email Elinah.Jele@dod.mil.za or Koena.Nkoana@dod.mil.za by 16:00 on 20 November 2026.
• Department of Electricity and Energy, Registry Clerk (2 posts), Pretoria: Ref DEE2026/025. Grade 12, a Records and Archive Management certificate and a driver's licence. Email Vacancies2@dee.gov.za.
• Department of Electricity and Energy, Driver/Messenger (2 posts), Pretoria: Ref DEE2026/026. Grade 10 and a valid driver's licence. R201,093 a year. Email Vacancies3@dee.gov.za.
• Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, Registry Clerk, Pretoria: Ref 3/1/1/1/2026/338. Grade 12. Email Post338@dlrrd.gov.za by 16:00 on 20 November 2026.
• Limpopo-Olifants Catchment Management Agency, Administration Clerk (2 posts each): Polokwane (LOCMA 45), Bronkhorstspruit (LOCMA 46) and Hartbeespoort (LOCMA 47). Grade 12. Apply online only at the Department of Water and Sanitation e-Recruitment portal.
• Northern Cape Rural TVET College, Administrative Clerk: Finance, Kathu Campus: Ref NCRTVET/797/10/2026/SUP/GASS/KAT/02. Grade 12.
• Northern Cape Rural TVET College, Cleaner: De Aar Campus (NCRTVET/758/10/2026/SUP/GASS/DAR/01 and NCRTVET/786/10/2026/SUP/GASS/NAM/07) and Kuruman Campus (NCRTVET/729/10/2026/SUP/GASS/KUR/01). Must be able to read and write.

Northern Cape Rural TVET College applications are submitted online at the college's application portal.

Western Cape Government (closes 30 November 2026)

• Western Cape Mobility Department, Administration Clerk: Strategic Support, Cape Town: Ref WCMD 73/2026. Grade 12.
• Western Cape Mobility Department, Administration Clerk: Fleet Risk Management (2 posts), Maitland: Ref WCMD 10/2025 R1. Grade 12.
• Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, Road Worker, Caledon: Ref DOI 154/2025 R1. ABET Level 2 or Grade 5 (able to read and write). R170,226 – R200,523 a year. Local community members get preference.

The Mobility Department posts are online applications only, through Western Cape Government e-Recruitment. For the Road Worker post, email a Z83 and CV (maximum 5 pages) to westerncape@respond.co.za with the reference number in the subject line.

Minimum documents for most posts

• A completed and signed new Z83 form, one per post
• A detailed CV with your qualifications, training and any experience
• Certified copies of qualifications and ID are usually requested only from shortlisted candidates. Some departments ask for them upfront, so read the full advert before you apply

Applications sent on the old Z83 form, or one Z83 used for several posts, may be disqualified.

Employment equity

Departments in the circular state that they aim to promote representivity (race, gender and disability) in line with their employment equity plans. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the DMPR internships.

How to apply

1. Find the post and reference number above. 2. Download the full advert from the DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circulars page and read the department's notes. 3. Complete the new Z83 and attach your CV. 4. Submit it to the email address, online portal or physical address listed for that post.

If you do not hear back within three months of the closing date, the department considers your application unsuccessful.

Government posts never require payment. Do not pay anyone who offers to secure a post for you.

Closing date: 20 November 2026 for most posts and 30 November 2026 for the Western Cape posts. Late applications are not considered, so it is the applicant's responsibility to apply before the deadline.