Published: 18 September 2026
Last checked: 20 September 2026
Editorial review completed: 20 September 2026
Closing date: 05 October 2026 at 23:59
Advertisement status: Open at the time of the editorial review
Amended advertisement: No amendment statement appears in the CPSI Annexure B reviewed for this guide
Withdrawal: No withdrawal statement appears in the CPSI Annexure B reviewed for this guide
Employer: Centre for Public Service Innovation, CPSI
Circular: DPSA Circular 34 of 2026, Annexure B
Employment type: 24-month internship contract
Location: Pretoria
Salary: R98,097 per annum
Application method: CPSI eRecruitment
Official application portal: https://erecruitment.cpsi.co.za/
Download DPSA Circular 34 of 2026 PDF
Download the official DPSA Circular 34 of 2026 PDF
The Department of Public Service and Administration lists Circular 34 of 2026 with a posting date of 18 September 2026. The official page lists Centre for Public Service Innovation among the national departments covered by the circular. (DPSA)
The CPSI advertisement appears as Annexure B on pages 9 and 10 of the circular. The official document identifies the CPSI application route, closing date and two internship opportunities.
Before You Apply
Finding the CPSI internships in DPSA Circular 34 of 2026 is only the starting point.
During the editorial review of Annexure B, the first detail worth stopping on was the application method. CPSI does not direct these applicants to send their applications to an ordinary department email address. The advertisement specifically says applications must be submitted through CPSI eRecruitment and excludes emailed, hand-delivered, posted and couriered applications. It also sets the deadline at 05 October 2026 at 23:59.
The next detail is the internship history requirement. CPSI states that candidates who previously participated in an internship programme in any Government Department will not be considered.
Then there is the Z83 process. The general DPSA circular gives standard Z83 directions, yet the CPSI advertisement provides a department-specific instruction. CPSI says the required information will be entered into the online system and a form will then be generated. Applicants therefore do not need to upload a separately completed and signed new Z83 form for this CPSI process.
Those three details change the practical way you should approach this advertisement.
This page therefore works as an application guide, not as a copy of the vacancy notice.
About DPSACircular.co.za
DPSACircular.co.za is an independent South African job information website covering DPSA Vacancy Circulars, government vacancies, internships and related application guidance.
DPSACircular.co.za is not the official DPSA website.
DPSACircular.co.za does not accept, process, assess, shortlist or decide government job applications.
The website provides independent explanations of government advertisements to help readers understand requirements and application instructions before using the relevant official recruitment channel.
Disclaimer
This article is an independent information guide.
The official government advertisement remains the final source for vacancy details, eligibility, application instructions and closing dates.
DPSACircular.co.za does not guarantee shortlisting, an interview, appointment or employment.
Why This Post Was Published
Government vacancy circulars contain advertisements from different departments, and the application instructions are not always identical.
DPSA itself states that although the vacancy circular is issued by the Department of Public Service and Administration, the department is not responsible for the content of individual advertisements. Enquiries about an advertisement must be addressed to the relevant advertising department. (DPSA)
The CPSI advertisement demonstrates why this distinction matters.
A reader might find the internship inside a DPSA circular and assume the usual application process applies. The CPSI advertisement instead directs applicants to its own eRecruitment platform.
This guide brings those department-specific details together, explains their practical meaning and helps readers avoid mistakes before submission.
Editorial Review Method
DPSACircular.co.za reviewed the CPSI section of DPSA Circular 34 of 2026 rather than relying on a third-party summary.
The review checked:
Position titles
Reference numbers
Contract duration
Salary
Location
Educational requirements
Unemployment requirement
Previous government internship condition
Application method
Closing date
Z83 instructions
Foreign qualification requirements
Certified document instructions
Selection checks
Reference requirements
Post-appointment obligations
Recruitment-related cost provisions
The review also checked the current CPSI eRecruitment platform because the vacancy advertisement directs applicants there. The current CPSI portal provides an online registration and application process and lists profile fields and attachment requirements. (CPSI e-Recruitment)
This distinction is important. The vacancy advertisement is the primary source for the advertised post, while the live CPSI recruitment portal shows how the online system currently operates.
What DPSA Circular 34 of 2026 Says About CPSI
The official DPSA page states that Circular 34 of 2026 was posted on 18 September 2026 and lists the Centre for Public Service Innovation among the national departments. (DPSA)
The full circular index identifies CPSI as Annexure B and places the advertisement on pages 9 and 10.
The CPSI Annexure B advertisement states that:
Applications must be submitted through CPSI eRecruitment.
Email applications will not be considered.
Hand-delivered, posted and couriered applications will not be considered.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
The closing date is 05 October 2026 at 23:59.
The advertisement also states that CPSI reserves the right not to fill a post, withdraw a post, place a post on hold or re-advertise a post.
That wording is important when reporting the advertisement status. A third-party website should not state that a post is permanently guaranteed to remain open. The safest editorial wording is to give the status at the time the page was checked and tell readers to confirm the official source before applying.
About the Centre for Public Service Innovation
The CPSI advertisement identifies the Centre for Public Service Innovation as a National Government Component listed in Part A of Schedule 3 of the Public Service Act and reporting to the Minister for the Public Service and Administration.
The advertisement describes CPSI’s role in public service reform and transformation through innovation. Its listed functions include providing advice and research, creating an environment that supports innovation, developing and managing innovation projects, and implementing special projects.
That context is useful when reading the two internship opportunities.
The Internal Audit internship involves audit plans, audit projects, audit engagements, reporting, audit committees and audit findings.
The Legal Services internship involves legal opinions, litigation matters, contracts, service level agreements, legislation and legislative reform.
The duties therefore provide more information than the internship titles alone.
CPSI Internship Programme 2026/27
CPSI states that its 2026/27 internship programme provides graduates with opportunities to gain work experience related to their studies or after completing their studies.
One requirement applies to the internship programme as a whole.
Candidates who previously participated in an internship programme in any Government Department will not be considered.
This should be checked before you begin the online application.
Vacancy Summary
| Internship | Reference | Contract | Salary | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intern: Internal Audit | 0003/2026 | 24 months | R98,097 per annum | Pretoria |
| Intern: Legal Services | 0004/2026 | 24 months | R98,097 per annum | Pretoria |
Source: CPSI Annexure B, DPSA Circular 34 of 2026.
Intern: Internal Audit, Ref No. 0003/2026
The Internal Audit opportunity is a 24-month contract based in Pretoria.
The advertised salary is R98,097 per annum.
Internal Audit Requirements
The advertisement requires:
Senior Certificate or Grade 12 certificate.
A recognised National Diploma or Degree at NQF Level 6 or 7 in Internal Audit.
Applicants must be unemployed.
Siyakhula Student Membership Programme or Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa membership is listed as an added advantage.
What the Internal Audit Duties Mean
The duties mention development of internal audit plans, audit project planning, execution of audit engagements, reporting, support to audit committees and follow-up of audit findings.
The advertisement also identifies computer literacy, teamwork, interpersonal skills, communication, confidentiality, client orientation and professional conduct as part of the personal profile.
There is a useful application lesson here.
Do not read only the qualification line and move directly to the application form.
Read the duties as well.
For example, a graduate who has completed Internal Audit assignments involving controls, audit planning, evidence gathering, analysis or reporting should understand how those academic activities relate to the advertised duties.
The distinction matters because academic work should be described honestly as academic work. It should not be presented as employment experience.
CPSI also states that qualification and study information forms part of the verification process.
Internal Audit Enquiry
James Agenbag
Telephone: (012) 336 1420.
Intern: Legal Services, Ref No. 0004/2026
The Legal Services opportunity is also a 24-month contract based in Pretoria.
The advertised salary is R98,097 per annum.
Legal Services Requirements
The advertisement requires:
Senior Certificate or Grade 12 certificate.
A recognised NQF Level 7 degree in Law.
Applicants must be unemployed.
Practical Legal Training is listed as an added advantage.
What the Legal Services Duties Mean
The duties include exposure to drafting legal opinions, litigation matters, contracts, service level agreements, legislation related to public administration, legislative advice and legislative reform.
The role also refers to regulations, the Public Administration Management Amendment Act, the Public Service Act, related regulations, handbooks, determinations and directives.
For a law graduate, this provides useful context before applying.
The internship is presented as exposure to public administration legal work rather than a generic law placement.
A reader should therefore compare the advertised duties with genuine academic or practical exposure in areas such as legislation, legal research, drafting, contracts and public-sector law.
Legal Services Enquiry
Peter Mashala
Telephone: (012) 336 1000/1176.
What the Requirements Mean
Grade 12 or Senior Certificate
Both internships include a Grade 12 or Senior Certificate requirement.
The tertiary qualification requirement also applies, so Grade 12 alone does not satisfy the complete educational requirement.
Relevant Qualification
Internal Audit requires a qualification in Internal Audit at NQF Level 6 or 7.
Legal Services requires an NQF Level 7 degree in Law.
The qualification field therefore matters.
Do not assume a related qualification automatically meets the advertised wording.
Unemployed Status
Both internship advertisements state that applicants must be unemployed.
Added Advantage
IIASA or Siyakhula membership is an added advantage for Internal Audit.
Practical Legal Training is an added advantage for Legal Services.
An added advantage should not be treated as a substitute for the stated core qualification requirements.
Who Should Apply?
This guide is relevant to applicants who meet the specific requirements of one of the two CPSI internships.
Before beginning the application, check:
Your qualification matches the relevant field.
You hold the required Grade 12 or Senior Certificate.
You are unemployed.
You have not previously participated in a Government Department internship.
You understand the positions are based in Pretoria.
You understand the contract lasts 24 months.
You are prepared to use CPSI eRecruitment.
You have accurate personal, educational and reference information.
You are prepared for the selection and verification requirements described in the advertisement.
Who Should Not Apply?
You should not apply for an internship where you do not meet the stated qualification requirements.
You should also not ignore the unemployment requirement.
Applicants who previously participated in an internship programme in any Government Department should pay particular attention to the CPSI exclusion.
You should not send the application by email, post, courier or hand delivery because CPSI expressly excludes those routes.
How to Apply Through CPSI eRecruitment
CPSI directs applicants to:
https://erecruitment.cpsi.co.za/
The live CPSI eRecruitment site provides a registration process and asks users to create an online profile. It currently lists secondary and tertiary qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, references and attachments as part of the profile process. (CPSI e-Recruitment)
The current portal also states that applications require attachments and lists documents such as a detailed CV, identity document, matric certificate and qualifications among the attachment categories shown by the system. (CPSI e-Recruitment)
The vacancy-specific advertisement remains the primary source for the CPSI post.
This produces an important practical rule:
Use the online portal as the submission environment, but read the vacancy-specific instructions before uploading documents.
The Annexure B advertisement specifically says you do not need to upload a separately completed and signed new Z83 form because the required information is captured through the system and a form is generated.
Z83 Instructions Explained
The general DPSA circular states that applications normally use the new Z83 and that applicants should forward applications to the department where the vacancy exists.
The CPSI advertisement provides a department-specific process.
CPSI states that the information required on the new Z83 will be uploaded through the online application process and a form will then be generated.
You therefore do not need to upload a separately completed and signed new Z83 form for this CPSI application.
CPSI also warns that failure to upload all required information could lead to disqualification during selection.
This is one of the most important areas where a generic government application guide should not replace the specific advertisement.
Foreign Qualifications and SAQA
CPSI states that applicants are responsible for having foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority at their own expense.
The advertisement also states that the instruction includes O and A level certificates.
Applicants with foreign qualifications should therefore review this requirement early.
Waiting until the final stage of recruitment to investigate qualification recognition creates an avoidable problem.
Certified Documents
The advertisement states that only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified documents on or before the interview following communication from Human Resources.
This creates two separate stages.
The first stage is the online application.
The later stage is document verification for shortlisted applicants.
Keep your original academic and identification records organised so you are ready if CPSI requests certification.
Selection and Screening
The CPSI advertisement goes beyond the basic application requirements.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo:
A practical exercise.
An integrity and ethical conduct assessment.
Personnel suitability checks.
Criminal record verification.
Citizenship or permanent residency verification.
Financial records checks.
Qualification and study verification.
Reference checks.
CPSI also states that applicants could be required to give consent for access to social media accounts.
This changes how an applicant should prepare.
Treat every field in the application as a formal record.
Check names.
Check dates.
Check qualification details.
Check reference details.
Check your contact information.
Keep the information consistent with your supporting records.
The application should describe your real background rather than trying to create an impressive version of your history.
Application Checklist
Before submission, check the following.
Eligibility
☐ Correct internship selected
☐ Correct qualification confirmed
☐ Grade 12 or Senior Certificate confirmed
☐ Unemployed status confirmed
☐ Previous government internship history checked
☐ Pretoria work location understood
☐ 24-month contract understood
Application information
☐ Correct reference number entered
☐ Personal details checked
☐ Qualification information checked
☐ Contact details checked
☐ Reference information completed
☐ Reference email addresses included
☐ Required attachments prepared
Submission
☐ CPSI eRecruitment used
☐ No email submission made
☐ No postal, courier or hand delivery submission made
☐ Application reviewed before final submission
☐ Submission record retained
☐ Closing date and time checked
Common Application Mistakes
Applying through the wrong channel
The advertisement specifically excludes applications sent by email, post, courier or hand delivery.
Treating all DPSA advertisements as having identical application processes
They do not.
The general DPSA circular provides general directions, while individual departments provide department-specific instructions. CPSI is one example. (DPSA)
Assuming a general Z83 guide overrides the CPSI instructions
The CPSI advertisement specifically explains how Z83 information is handled inside its online process.
Ignoring the previous government internship restriction
CPSI states that applicants who previously participated in a government department internship will not be considered.
Treating an added advantage as a compulsory requirement
The wording for IIASA membership and Practical Legal Training is “added advantage”, not the core qualification wording.
Leaving information incomplete
CPSI warns that incomplete required information could lead to disqualification during selection.
Waiting until the closing evening
The deadline is 05 October 2026 at 23:59.
Starting early gives you time to deal with profile creation, document preparation and technical issues on the portal.
A Practical Way to Prepare Your Application
The easiest way to approach this advertisement is to break the process into three checks.
First, check whether you qualify.
For Internal Audit, compare your qualification with the exact Internal Audit requirement.
For Legal Services, compare your qualification with the NQF Level 7 law requirement.
Then check the unemployment and previous government internship conditions.
Second, study the duties.
This step helps you understand whether your academic background connects to the actual internship.
An Internal Audit applicant should look closely at audit planning, engagements, reporting and audit findings.
A Legal Services applicant should look closely at legal opinions, litigation, contracts, public administration legislation and legislative reform.
Third, check the application method.
CPSI does not leave the method open to interpretation. The advertisement directs applicants to its eRecruitment system.
This approach is based on the structure of the actual advertisement rather than a generic recruitment checklist.
What Stands Out From the CPSI Advertisement
During the editorial review, four details stood out.
The first is the dedicated eRecruitment route.
The second is the previous government internship restriction.
The third is the specific Z83 process.
The fourth is the level of screening applied to shortlisted candidates.
Those details matter because they affect the application before the reader reaches the interview stage.
A general article titled “How to Apply for Government Jobs” would not explain those details accurately enough.
This is why the guide focuses on what CPSI itself says.
What Happens After You Apply?
CPSI states that correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates.
The advertisement says applicants who have not been contacted within three months after the closing date should accept that their application was unsuccessful.
Shortlisted candidates should also be prepared for the practical exercise, integrity assessment, personnel suitability checks and document verification described in the advertisement.
A successful candidate is expected to enter into an employment contract and performance agreement within three months of appointment.
A financial interest declaration is required within one month of appointment and annually afterwards.
The advertisement also states that CPSI will not meet travel and subsistence costs connected to recruitment, relocation or resettlement costs for shortlisted and successful candidates because of budget cuts.
Salary and Contract Period
Both internships are advertised as 24-month contracts.
Both have a salary of R98,097 per annum.
Both are based in Pretoria.
The positions are presented in the circular as internships for the 2026/27 programme, rather than as permanent appointments.
Official Source
Official DPSA Circular 34 page:
https://www.dpsa.gov.za/newsroom/psvc/circular-34-of-2026/
Official full Circular 34 PDF:
https://www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/documents/vacancies/2026/PSV%20CIRCULAR%2034%20of%202026.pdf
Official CPSI Annexure B PDF:
https://www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/documents/vacancies/2026/34/b.pdf
Official CPSI eRecruitment:
https://erecruitment.cpsi.co.za/
The DPSA states that enquiries about individual advertisements should go to the relevant advertising department. (DPSA)
For these internships, the relevant organisation is CPSI.
Source Hierarchy
Primary vacancy source:
DPSA Circular 34 of 2026, CPSI Annexure B.
Official application source:
CPSI eRecruitment portal.
Official employer information:
Centre for Public Service Innovation.
Independent editorial source:
DPSACircular.co.za.
The independent article should explain the official material without replacing it.
Internal Linking
Use internal links to relevant existing DPSACircular.co.za pages where those pages already exist.
Recommended anchor topics include:
Department of Agriculture Vacancies
Department of Basic Education Vacancies
Department of Correctional Services
Department of Defence Vacancies
Department of Employment and Labour Vacancie
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Vacancies
Department of Higher Education and Training Vacancies
Department of Home Affairs Vacancies
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Vacancies
Department of Land Reform and Rural Development Vacancies
Department of Public Service and Administration Vacancies
Department of Tourism Vacancies
Department of Water and Sanitation Vacancies
Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Vacancies
Government Technical Advisory Centre
Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services Vacancies
Latest DPSA Circular PDF Download
National Treasury Vacancies
Office of the Chief Justice Vacancies
South African Police Service Jobs and Vacancies
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is DPSA Circular 34 of 2026?
DPSA Circular 34 of 2026 is a Public Service Vacancy Circular containing government vacancy advertisements. The official DPSA page gives its posting date as 18 September 2026. (DPSA)
2. Does Circular 34 of 2026 include CPSI internships?
Yes. The official circular index identifies Centre for Public Service Innovation as Annexure B on pages 9 to 10.
3. Which CPSI internships are advertised?
The CPSI section contains Intern: Internal Audit, reference 0003/2026, and Intern: Legal Services, reference 0004/2026.
4. What is the salary for the CPSI internships?
Both internships advertise R98,097 per annum.
5. Where are the internships based?
Both are based in Pretoria.
6. How long are the contracts?
Both internship contracts are 24 months.
7. When do CPSI applications close?
The closing date is 05 October 2026 at 23:59.
8. How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted through CPSI eRecruitment.
9. Are email applications accepted?
No. The CPSI advertisement excludes email, hand delivery, post and courier submissions.
10. What is required for Internal Audit?
Applicants need Grade 12 or a Senior Certificate, a recognised National Diploma or Degree at NQF Level 6 or 7 in Internal Audit, and unemployed status.
11. What is required for Legal Services?
Applicants need Grade 12 or a Senior Certificate, a recognised NQF Level 7 degree in Law, and unemployed status.
12. Is IIASA membership compulsory?
The advertisement lists Siyakhula Student Membership Programme or IIASA membership as an added advantage.
13. Is Practical Legal Training compulsory?
The advertisement lists Practical Legal Training as an added advantage for Legal Services.
14. Do I need to upload a signed Z83 form?
The CPSI advertisement states that the required Z83 information is captured through the online system and a form is generated. Applicants therefore do not need to upload a separately completed and signed new Z83 form for this process.
15. What if I previously completed a government internship?
CPSI states that candidates who previously participated in an internship programme in any Government Department will not be considered.
16. Do foreign qualifications need SAQA evaluation?
Yes. CPSI states that foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA at the applicant’s own expense.
17. Will shortlisted applicants submit certified documents?
Yes. CPSI states that only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified documents on or before the interview after communication from Human Resources.
18. What checks are part of selection?
CPSI lists a practical exercise, integrity and ethical conduct checks, personnel suitability checks, criminal records, citizenship or permanent residency verification, financial records, qualification and study verification and reference checks.
19. Does CPSI check references?
Yes. The advertisement states that reference checks will be conducted and asks applicants to include reference email addresses.
20. What happens if CPSI does not contact me?
The advertisement says correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates and states that applicants who have not been contacted within three months after the closing date should accept that their application was unsuccessful.
About the Author
Author: Godwin Samuel
Godwin Samuel is the publisher and editor associated with DPSACircular.co.za. His editorial work focuses on South African public-sector vacancy information, government recruitment notices and practical application guidance.
For this type of article, the author’s role is not to act as a recruiter or government official.
The editorial process focuses on locating the primary advertisement, checking the details that affect eligibility and application, and explaining those details without presenting DPSACircular.co.za as the employer.
Editorial Review
DPSACircular.co.za reviewed the CPSI advertisement against the official DPSA Circular 34 of 2026.
The review focused on the advertised positions, reference numbers, salary, contract duration, location, qualification requirements, unemployment requirement, application method, closing date, Z83 process, foreign qualification requirements, document verification, selection conditions and reference requirements.
The official CPSI advertisement confirms the Internal Audit opportunity as reference 0003/2026 and the Legal Services opportunity as reference 0004/2026. Both have 24-month contracts, R98,097 per annum and Pretoria as the centre.
The official CPSI eRecruitment site was also checked because the advertisement directs applicants to that system. The current portal provides online registration, profile creation and document attachment functions. (CPSI e-Recruitment)
How This Guide Was Produced
This guide was built from the primary government source rather than from another job website.
The editorial review followed this process:
The official DPSA Circular 34 page was checked for the posting date and CPSI listing.
The official Circular 34 PDF was checked for Annexure B.
The two CPSI pages were reviewed for application instructions, programme conditions, requirements, duties and selection instructions.
The CPSI eRecruitment portal was checked for the current online application workflow and attachment fields.
The information was then reorganised into a guide designed to answer practical questions an applicant faces before submission.
The article does not reproduce the official PDF.
The official advertisement remains the final authority.
Why This Article Does Not Copy the Vacancy PDF
The government advertisement already provides the original vacancy information.
Repeating the same text does not give the reader enough additional value.
This guide adds:
Interpretation of the requirements.
Explanation of the application route.
Comparison between the general DPSA process and CPSI’s department-specific process.
Practical preparation steps.
Explanation of the Z83 handling.
Explanation of screening and verification.
Common application errors.
A source hierarchy.
An editorial review record.
That is why this page should contain CPSI-specific editorial work rather than simply swapping the employer name inside a generic DPSA article template.
Keeping the Page Accurate
Last checked: 20 September 2026.
The editorial review date should only change after the page has been substantively checked or updated.
Before application, readers should check the official DPSA page and CPSI eRecruitment portal again because CPSI expressly reserves the right to withdraw, hold or re-advertise positions.
Final Application Check
Before you submit the CPSI application, confirm:
- Your qualification matches the chosen internship.
- You meet the Grade 12 and tertiary qualification requirements.
- You are unemployed as required by the advertisement.
- You have checked the previous Government Department internship restriction.
- You have the correct reference number.
- You have completed the CPSI eRecruitment profile accurately.
- You have prepared the required attachments shown by the recruitment system.
- You have checked your reference information and email addresses.
- You have reviewed the application before submitting.
- You are submitting before 05 October 2026 at 23:59.
The official CPSI advertisement states that late applications will not be considered.
The official source remains the final authority.
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