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 EDG or MRA, 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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SFEC · SkillsFuture Singapore
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.