Are you a recent graduate or a postgraduate looking to gain valuable work experience in a professional environment? An internship at the Auditor‑General of South Africa (AGSA) is an outstanding opportunity to develop your skills while contributing to public sector transparency and accountability. In this post, we cover key internship opportunities at AGSA, eligibility, application process, responsibilities, and how to stand out.
What AGSA Internships Are Available?
AGSA currently offers Human Resources Internship Positions (six posts) based in Gauteng, hosted on a two-year fixed-term contract (FTC) basis. These are ideal for students or recent grads in HR, Industrial & Organisational Psychology, or Social Sciences fields
Internships are rotational, exposing participants to key HR functions like:
- Talent acquisition and recruitment,
- Learning & development coordination,
- Performance management support,
- Employee engagement initiatives,
- Stakeholder communication and HR admin
While HR roles are explicitly advertised, AGSA also offers vacation work and the Graduate Trainee (learnership) programme, including the SAICA-accredited Trainee Auditor Programme and LEAP vacation work—though these target accounting/CTA students or recent grads
Who Should Apply?
For HR Internships:
- South African citizens (or permanent residents).
- A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial & Organisational Psychology, Social Science, or related field
- Strong organisational, administrative, and MS Office skills.
- Some understanding of labour laws and HR practices.
- Aptitude for learning, teamwork, and employee service support
For Accounting-Related Internships / Learnerships:
- Recent graduates with BCom (Honours) in Accounting, or CTA students.
- Strong academic record in accounting/finance.
- Passion for public sector accountability and auditing.
- South African citizen or permanent resident
Application Period & Deadlines
- HR internship: Applications for 2025 closed on 23 April 2025 (via Edupstairs/AGSA)
- Graduate trainee / SAICA-accredited programmes typically open mid-year—closing dates vary. AGSA’s official careers portal is the central point for applications
- Vacation work (LEAP) has its own cycle, typically around August 2025, as indicated on AGSA’s graduate recruitment siteAGSATalent.
Check AGSA’s official careers site and AGSA Talent Blog regularly for updates
Application Requirements & Process
Required Documents:
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified academic transcripts or degree certificate
- Motivation/cover letter tailored to the specific internship pathway
How to Apply:
- Visit the AGSA Careers Portal or authorized recruitment site.
- Register and set up your applicant profile.
- Upload required documents in PDF format (labelled, clear scans).
- Complete all sections of the application form accurately.
- Submit before the closing date, and keep confirmation of submission
Selection Steps:
- Initial screening for eligibility and document completeness.
- Shortlisted applicants may be asked to do:
- Written assessments (logic, reasoning, or work-related scenarios).
- Group exercises or interviews.
- Situational judgment tests, especially on ethics and public accountability alignment
- Final notification via email or phone, followed by orientation details
What You’ll Gain From an AGSA Internship
For HR Interns:
- Real-world exposure to HR cycles across recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and organisational development.
- Two-year rotational placement across multiple HR sub-functions
- Mentorship, performance feedback structures, and inclusive workplace experience.
For Accounting Trainees:
- Work within audit teams at national/provincial/municipal audits.
- Hands-on audit planning, field visits, financial statement reviews, and public-sector audit findings preparation
- Support on-the-job training aligned with SAICA-accredited pathways.
How to Make Your Application Stand Out
- Submit early and ensure PDFs are professional, labelled, and under size limits.
- Tailor your motivation letter: showcase your interest in public service, governance, or learning agility.
- Highlight relevant academic performance or extracurricular experience.
- Emphasize your commitment, reliability, teamwork, and ability to uphold public accountability.
- Prepare for assessments: brush up on analytical reasoning, ethics scenarios, and HR or audit basics depending on pathway.
Example: HR Internship Responsibilities
- Assist recruitment: posting job ads, screening resumes, scheduling interviews.
- Support employee onboarding and induction programs.
- Track performance management cycles and appraisal documentation.
- Coordinate learning interventions and maintain HR records.
- Facilitate employee engagement events or transformation initiatives
- Provide administrative support across HR workflows.
Final Thoughts
AGSA internships offer valuable exposure whether you are pursuing HR, accounting, or public service interests. The organisation’s structured programmes—especially the SAICA-accredited Trainee Auditor Programme and HR internships—provide practical experience, mentorship, and a clear foundation for future public sector careers.
If you missed 2025’s deadlines, start preparing now for the next cycle—AGSA tends to open applications annually around mid-year. Bookmark the official careers portal and set reminders to ensure you’re ready when the opportunity opens.
Would you like help crafting your motivation letter or preparing documents for your AGSA internship application? Let me know—I’d be happy to help!