The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) is inviting eligible South African graduates to apply for several 24-month internship opportunities across different departments. These internships provide unemployed graduates with valuable workplace experience while receiving a monthly stipend of R8,174.75.
The internship programme is designed for graduates between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have completed the required tertiary qualifications and have not previously participated in an internship or gained formal work experience. The programme offers an excellent opportunity to develop professional skills, gain exposure to the public sector, and build experience in international trade, economics, public administration, law, accounting, and related fields.
Applications are currently open, and interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
ITAC Internship Programme Overview
- Job Type: Internship
- Internship Duration: 24 Months
- Monthly Stipend: R8,174.75
- Career Level: Internship
- Application Closing Date: 05 August 2026
- Closing Time: 12:00 PM
- Posted Date: 23 July 2026
Successful applicants will be appointed on a fixed-term internship agreement for a period of twenty-four months.
Available Internship Opportunities
Several internship positions are available in different ITAC departments. Each position has specific educational requirements depending on the area of specialization.
1. Import & Export Control Internship
Number of Positions: 1
This internship is suitable for graduates interested in trade regulation, compliance, public administration, and legal processes relating to imports and exports.
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following:
- Commerce
- Law
- Public Administration
Graduates with these qualifications will have an opportunity to gain practical experience within the Import & Export Control Department while learning about South Africa’s international trade administration processes.
2. Trade Remedies Internship
Number of Positions: 2
Graduates with strong analytical abilities and an interest in economics and financial analysis are encouraged to apply.
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in:
- Accounting
- Economics
Interns appointed in this department will gain valuable exposure to trade remedy investigations and economic analysis that support fair international trade practices.
3. Tariff Investigations I Internship
Number of Positions: 2
This internship provides an excellent opportunity for graduates interested in tariff investigations, economic research, financial analysis, and agricultural economics.
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in one or more of the following:
- Economics
- Business Economics
- Financial Accounting
- Agricultural Economics
Successful candidates will receive practical workplace experience while supporting tariff investigation activities within ITAC.
4. Office of the Chief Economist Internship
Number of Positions: 1
Graduates interested in economic research and international trade policy are encouraged to submit applications.
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with majors including:
- International Trade
- Macroeconomics
- Statistics
The internship offers practical exposure to economic research, policy development, and statistical analysis supporting South Africa’s international trade environment.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements before applying:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be between 18 and 35 years of age.
- Must possess the required Bachelor’s Degree for the specific internship.
- Must be unemployed.
- Must not have previous work experience.
- Must not have participated in any previous internship programme.
- Must be willing to sign a 24-month internship agreement if appointed.
Only applicants meeting all eligibility requirements will be considered during the recruitment process.
Employment Equity
The recruitment process will be conducted in line with ITAC’s Employment Equity requirements.
Preference may be given to the following designated groups:
- African males
- White males
- White females
- Indian males
- Indian females
- Coloured males
- Coloured females
- Persons with disabilities
Appointment decisions will remain subject to finding suitably qualified candidates for the advertised positions.
Important Information for Applicants
Applicants holding foreign qualifications must arrange for their qualifications to be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) before applying.
Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
ITAC also reserves the right not to fill any advertised position if suitable candidates are not identified during the recruitment process.
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all supporting documents are complete and accurate before submitting their applications.
Benefits of Joining the ITAC Internship Programme
The internship programme offers graduates an opportunity to transition from academic study into the professional working environment. Since many entry-level positions require previous work experience, internship programmes such as this provide valuable practical exposure that improves future employment prospects.
Interns will work alongside experienced professionals while gaining knowledge of government procedures, policy implementation, trade administration, economic analysis, and regulatory processes. The programme also allows graduates to develop communication, analytical, research, report-writing, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued across both the public and private sectors.
Receiving a monthly stipend of R8,174.75 also provides financial support during the internship period, allowing participants to focus on developing their careers while gaining meaningful workplace experience.
Who Should Apply?
This internship programme is suitable for graduates who recently completed their studies and are looking for their first opportunity to enter the labour market.
Graduates with qualifications in commerce, law, public administration, economics, accounting, business economics, financial accounting, agricultural economics, international trade, macroeconomics, or statistics are encouraged to apply if they satisfy all the eligibility requirements.
Applicants who are committed to professional development, interested in South Africa’s international trade environment, and eager to gain practical government experience may find these internship opportunities particularly beneficial.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted before:
Closing Date: 05 August 2026
Closing Time: 12:00 PM
Late applications will not be accepted.
Graduates who meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to apply as early as possible to avoid missing the application deadline. Before submitting an application, candidates should carefully review the qualification requirements for each department and ensure that all supporting documentation is included. These internships present an excellent opportunity to gain two years of valuable workplace experience, strengthen professional skills, and establish a solid foundation for future career growth within the fields of international trade, economics, public administration, accounting, law, and related disciplines.
How to Apply
Applications for the ITAC Internship Programme must be submitted online through the official International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) Careers Portal. Manual applications, emailed applications, and hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. (careers.itac.org.za)
Application Steps
- Visit the official ITAC Careers Portal using the application link below.
- Create an account if applying for the first time. Existing users can log in using their registered email address and password.
- Complete the online profile by providing accurate personal information, educational qualifications, employment history (if applicable), skills, and contact details.
- Upload all required supporting documents, including:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Certified copy of academic transcript (if available)
- SAQA evaluation certificate (for foreign qualifications only)
- Search for the relevant internship vacancy and select the department matching the qualification.
- Review all information carefully before submitting the application.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
Apply Online
Applications can be submitted through the official ITAC Careers Portal: ITAC Careers Portal
Important Notes
- Only online applications submitted through the ITAC Careers Portal will be considered. (careers.itac.org.za)
- Applications received after 05 August 2026 at 12:00 PM will not be accepted.
- Incomplete applications may be disqualified.
- Ensure all uploaded documents are clear, certified where required, and meet the application requirements.
- Applicants with foreign qualifications must obtain a SAQA evaluation certificate before applying.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application and monitor the registered email address for communication regarding the recruitment process.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid possible delays or technical issues that may occur during the final hours of the application period.