SARS Graduate Trainee Programme 2026
Twelve-month rotational graduate programme at the South African Revenue Service - Customs, Tax, Legal, IT and Risk streams with strong conversion into permanent SARS roles.
Apply on SARS careers
Status: Annual recruitment - watch SARS careers
Programme Overview
Programme Details
Why SARS?
- ✓Strong conversion to permanent posts with public service benefits
- ✓Exposure to tax modernisation, data science and digital transformation
- ✓Specialist career pathways in Tax, Customs, Legal and IT
- ✓Mentorship by senior SARS officials and exposure to SARS Commissioner’s priorities
- ✓Public service medical aid, housing allowance and pension once permanent
Entry Requirements
- ✓Completed 3-year qualification - degree, BTech or honours
- ✓Discipline relevant to SARS - Taxation, Law, Accounting, Auditing, IT, Risk, Economics, Customs
- ✓South African citizen, age 18-35
- ✓Strong academic record (typically 60%+ average)
- ✓No criminal record - SARS is a regulated employer
- ✓Strong written and verbal communication
- ✓Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply
Streams Within SARS
Tax & Revenue
Personal income tax, corporate tax, VAT, audit and compliance
Customs & Excise
Border management, trade facilitation, anti-illicit trade
Legal Services
Tax law, litigation, advance tax rulings, dispute resolution
IT & Data
Digital tax modernisation, data science, cybersecurity
Risk & Audit
Compliance risk, internal audit, integrity management
Finance & Corporate
Financial reporting, HR, communications and policy
Streams open in any year depend on SARS’s recruitment plan - check the live advert.
Programme Structure
Onboarding & induction
Weeks 1-4Cohort induction at SARS Head Office in Pretoria - SARS mandate, values, the Strategic Intent, and ethics training.
📍 SARS Head Office, Pretoria
Functional rotations
Months 2-10Structured rotations across your stream - paired with a line manager, project deliverables and KPIs.
📍 Allocated SARS branch or function
Final placement
Months 11-12High performers are absorbed into permanent SARS posts at their best-fit rotation.
📍 Permanent SARS posting
Career Pathways at SARS
High performers typically progress to:
Documents You’ll Need
- 📄Updated CV
- 📄Certified academic transcript (latest)
- 📄Certified copy of SA ID
- 📄Certified degree certificate (if already graduated)
- 📄Motivation letter
- 📄Proof of residence
- 📄Names of two academic or work references
Application Process
Watch SARS careers
SARS publishes its graduate programme on sars.gov.za and on the Government Gazette. Listings also appear on SAYouth.mobi.
Annual cycleApply online via the SARS recruitment portal
Register on the SARS e@syFile recruitment portal, complete your profile and upload your CV, transcript and motivation letter.
Within the advert windowOnline assessments
SARS uses cognitive aptitude, integrity testing and behavioural questionnaires.
After applicationPanel interview
Competency-based interview with SARS hiring managers - focused on integrity, technical knowledge and motivation.
After assessmentsVetting and security clearance
SARS runs SAPS criminal-record checks, financial vetting and a basic security clearance before any offer.
Pre-appointmentSign your trainee contract
Successful candidates sign a 12-month fixed-term contract and join the next SARS Graduate Trainee cohort.
Cohort start in advert⚠️ Important to know
• SARS does not charge an application fee - anyone asking for money is a scammer
• Adverts appear only on sars.gov.za, the Government Gazette and SAYouth.mobi
• SARS is a regulated employer - financial vetting and integrity checks are non-negotiable
• Apply for one stream that matches your qualification - scattergun applications are screened out
• SARS actively recruits women in STEM and previously disadvantaged students
Where to Find More Information
SARS - Careers
📍 Lehae La SARS, 299 Bronkhorst Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria