If you are an unemployed South African graduate searching for a government internship that offers real, practical work experience in trade, economics, or law, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has opened its Graduate Internship Programme. While the official reference numbers for this intake are labelled 2026, the programme runs for 24 months, meaning successful interns will still be working, learning, and building their CVs well into 2027 and 2028. This makes it one of the most relevant graduate opportunities to know about right now if you are planning your career for 2027.
This article breaks down everything you need to know: what ITAC does, which internship positions are open, who qualifies, how much you’ll be paid, and exactly how to submit your application before the deadline closes.
What Is ITAC?
The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa is a statutory body that falls under South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). ITAC exists to create a fair and efficient trading environment for South Africa and the wider Southern African Customs Union (SACU) region.
In practice, this means ITAC is responsible for:
- Customs tariff investigations — reviewing and adjusting import duties to protect and grow local industries
- Trade remedies — investigating unfair trade practices such as dumping and subsidised imports
- Import and export control — managing permits and controls on goods entering and leaving South Africa
- Economic analysis and trade monitoring — tracking how global and domestic trends affect South African industries
Interning at ITAC gives graduates rare, hands-on exposure to how a country actually regulates and protects its economy on the international stage — experience that looks excellent on any CV, whether you go on to work in government, law, banking, or the private sector.
Why This Matters for the 2027 Job Market
South Africa’s graduate unemployment rate remains high, and internships like this one are designed specifically to bridge the gap between finishing a degree and gaining your first formal work experience. Because ITAC’s internship contracts run for a full 24 months, anyone accepted into the current intake will carry that experience — and the professional network that comes with it — directly into 2027 and beyond. For graduates thinking strategically about where they want to be in 2027, applying now is the move.
ITAC Internship Positions Currently Open
ITAC has advertised six internship positions across four reference numbers. All positions share the same stipend, duration, and closing date, so if you qualify for more than one, you can apply to all of them.
1. Internship: Import and Export Control (X1)
Reference: ITAC07/2026 Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Law, or Public Administration
2. Internship: Trade Remedies I and II (X2)
Reference: ITAC06/2026 Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s degree majoring in Accounting and Economics
3. Internship: Tariff Investigations I and II (X2)
Reference: ITAC05/2026 Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s degree majoring in Economics, Business Economics, Financial Accounting, and/or Agricultural Economics
4. Internship: Economic Analysis and Trade Monitoring (X1)
Reference: ITAC04/2026 Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Economics majoring in International Trade, Macroeconomics, and Statistics
Graduates from commerce, law, economics, accounting, and public administration backgrounds all have a realistic entry point into this programme, which is part of what makes it such a broad opportunity.
Stipend and Duration
- Monthly Stipend: R8,174.75
- Duration: 24 months (fixed-term internship agreement)
- Location: South Africa (ITAC head office)
This is a meaningful stipend for a graduate internship, and the two-year duration gives interns far more depth of experience than the typical 6- or 12-month programme offered elsewhere.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Requirements)
Before applying, make sure you meet all of the following criteria:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be between 18 and 35 years old
- You must hold the relevant Bachelor’s degree for the specific position you’re applying to (see qualifications above)
- You must be unemployed at the time of application
- You must have no prior work experience, including no previous internships
- If you studied outside South Africa, your qualification must be evaluated by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) before you apply
Successful applicants will be required to sign a formal internship agreement with ITAC before starting.
Employment Equity Note
In line with ITAC’s Employment Equity requirements, preference will be given to African males, White males, White females, Indian males, Indian females, Coloured males, Coloured females, and persons with disabilities. ITAC also reserves the right not to fill a position if no suitable candidate is identified.
Closing Date
Applications close on 5 August 2026 at 12:00 pm (midday).
Late applications — whether submitted by email, hand-delivered, or through any channel other than the official portal — will not be considered. Don’t wait until the last day; online portals can be slow to process during high-traffic periods close to the deadline.
How to Apply for the ITAC Internship
ITAC only accepts applications through its official online recruitment portal. Manual submissions, emailed CVs, and hand-delivered applications are explicitly rejected, so make sure you apply the right way.
Steps to apply:
- Go to the official ITAC careers portal (link below)
- Find the internship reference number that matches your qualification
- Click “Apply Now” on that listing
- Create a profile and upload the required documents (CV, certified copy of ID, certified copy of qualification, and academic transcript)
- Submit your application before the closing date and time
- Save or screenshot your confirmation for your records
Official Application Link
You can view all open ITAC internship positions and apply directly here:
👉 https://careers.itac.org.za/
This is ITAC’s official recruitment portal — always apply through this link directly rather than third-party job boards to avoid scams or outdated listings.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Match your qualification exactly to the reference number you’re applying for — ITAC is specific about which majors qualify for each role.
- Prepare certified documents in advance. Certification can take a few days, so don’t leave this to the last minute.
- Write a focused CV. Highlight academic projects, research, or coursework related to trade, economics, tariffs, or law, even if you have no formal work experience yet.
- Apply to multiple positions if you qualify for more than one — there’s no penalty for submitting more than one application.
- Double-check the closing time, not just the date. The portal closes applications at exactly 12:00 pm on 5 August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate “2027” ITAC internship intake? Not yet. The current intake is officially referenced as the 2026 programme, with applications closing in August 2026. Because the contracts run for 24 months, interns selected now will be working through 2027 and into 2028. ITAC typically opens its next new intake of applications the following year, so a distinct “2027” advertised round would only be expected around mid-to-late 2027.
Do I need experience to apply? No. In fact, ITAC requires that you have no prior work experience or internships — this programme is specifically for graduates entering the workforce for the first time.
Can I apply if my degree is still in progress? No. You need to already hold the relevant Bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
Is the stipend taxable? Internship stipends in South Africa are generally treated as income and may be subject to standard tax rules depending on the total amount earned. Check with a tax practitioner or SARS if you’re unsure how it affects your specific situation.
What happens after the internship ends? There’s no guarantee of permanent employment at ITAC after the 24 months, but successful interns gain valuable, government-level experience in trade administration, economics, or law — experience that significantly strengthens future job applications.
Final Thoughts
The ITAC Graduate Internship Programme is a genuine opportunity for South African graduates in commerce, law, economics, accounting, and public administration to gain two full years of meaningful, paid experience inside a national trade authority. With six positions open at once and a shared closing date, this is an efficient opportunity to apply to more than one role if you qualify.
Don’t miss the deadline — applications close 5 August 2026 at 12:00 pm, and only submissions through the official portal will be considered.
Apply now: https://careers.itac.org.za/
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