Ref: WSS · SWDA / WSG · reviewed 05 Jul 2026
Workfare Skills Support (employer-sponsored track)
When you send lower-wage staff for approved training, WSS reimburses 95% of their hourly salary while they are in class - far above the standard S$4.50/hour Absentee Payroll. It is the cheapest way in Singapore to upskill your ops, retail, F&B and cleaning teams.
S$13/hour per eligible trainee, within the S$100,000/year enterprise AP cap
Who qualifies
- ✓Employers sponsoring lower-wage staff for SWDA-funded courses
- ✓Employee must be a Singapore Citizen aged 30+ (or person with special needs aged 13+)
- ✓Employee earns not more than S$2,500/month gross
- ✓Standard AP conditions apply: full sponsorship, CPF contributions, course completion
What it pays for
- 95% of the employee's wages for hours spent in approved training
- Stacks with the course-fee subsidies (up to 90% Tier 1 for SMEs)
- Applies automatically through the same AP claim process - no separate WSS application for employers
- Self-sponsored workers get separate allowances (S$6/hr rising to S$10.50/hr from July 2026) and the new WSS Level-Up tier opened 9 Feb 2026
How to apply
Ongoing; enhanced rates in force since 1 July 2023, still current in 2026 with further allowance increases from July 2026
- 1Confirm the staff member meets the Workfare criteria (age 30+, ≤S$2,500/month)
- 2Enrol them in an SWDA-funded course (Tier 1 or 2)
- 3Complete the normal Absentee Payroll claim after the course - the enhanced 95% rate is applied for eligible workers
- 4Funds disbursed to corporate PayNow
Advisor's note
The S$2,500/month threshold is gross salary and the 95% rate is applied per eligible worker automatically in the AP claim - many bosses never notice they got the enhanced rate. One worker can only draw one wage compensation (AP, salary support or allowance) for the same hours.
Planning a digitalisation or overseas-expansion project? Those usually run under the EDG grant or the MRA grant, which our team delivers end to end.
Common questions
How much does the WSS cover?
Absentee Payroll at 95% of hourly basic salary, capped at S$13 per training hour (vs the standard S$4.50/hour), s$13/hour per eligible trainee, within the S$100,000/year enterprise AP cap. When you send lower-wage staff for approved training, WSS reimburses 95% of their hourly salary while they are in class - far above the standard S$4.50/hour Absentee Payroll. It is the cheapest way in Singapore to upskill your ops, retail, F&B and cleaning teams.
Who is eligible for the WSS?
Employers sponsoring lower-wage staff for SWDA-funded courses Employee must be a Singapore Citizen aged 30+ (or person with special needs aged 13+) Employee earns not more than S$2,500/month gross Standard AP conditions apply: full sponsorship, CPF contributions, course completion
What does the WSS pay for?
95% of the employee's wages for hours spent in approved training Stacks with the course-fee subsidies (up to 90% Tier 1 for SMEs) Applies automatically through the same AP claim process - no separate WSS application for employers Self-sponsored workers get separate allowances (S$6/hr rising to S$10.50/hr from July 2026) and the new WSS Level-Up tier opened 9 Feb 2026
How do I apply for the WSS?
1. Confirm the staff member meets the Workfare criteria (age 30+, ≤S$2,500/month) 2. Enrol them in an SWDA-funded course (Tier 1 or 2) 3. Complete the normal Absentee Payroll claim after the course - the enhanced 95% rate is applied for eligible workers 4. Funds disbursed to corporate PayNow
How long does the WSS take?
Ongoing; enhanced rates in force since 1 July 2023, still current in 2026 with further allowance increases from July 2026
Find out what the WSS will co-fund for you.
15 minutes on WhatsApp. We check your eligibility, the realistic support amount, and whether a different grant fits better. No fee, no obligation.
WhatsApp us nowOften claimed together
ETSS / AP Funding · SWDA (merged SkillsFuture Singapore + Workforce Singapore)
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SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit
A S$10,000 credit that offsets 90% of out-of-pocket costs on supportable enterprise and workforce transformation programmes, stacking ON TOP of existing grant support.