You can get higher-skilled worker levy rate if your workers meet the requirements.
Requirements
To qualify, your workers must meet any of these criteria:
- Skills / education and salary
- Experience and salary
- Skills / education and experience
Skills / education and salaryShow
| Minimum years of experience |
No minimum |
| Minimum fixed monthly salary |
$1,200 |
| Skills or certification |
Educational qualification:
- Malaysia – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). For diploma or higher qualifications, upload a transcript or letter from the institution stating the course duration.
- North Asian sources (NAS) – High school certificates.
- People’s Republic of China (PRC) – Diploma.
OR
Completed:
- Composite Assessment for Generic Manufacturing (Process)
OR
Any 2 of these WSQ courses:
- Perform Blasting and Painting Work
- Perform Electrical Fitting Work
- Perform Fitting Works in Workshop
- Perform Instrumentation Fitting Work
- Perform Metal Scaffolding Work
- Perform Plant Civil Work
- Perform Plant Equipment Fitting Work
- Perform Process Pipe Fitting Work
- Perform Refractory Work
- Perform Rigger and Signalman Tasks
- Perform Rotating Equipment Fitting Work
- Perform Thermal Insulation Work
- Perform Welding
|
Experience and salaryShow
Your workers will automatically qualify for higher-skilled levy rate if they meet the following requirements:
| Minimum years of experience |
3 |
| Minimum fixed monthly salary |
$1,200 |
| Skills or certification |
Not required |
Skills / education and experienceShow
| Minimum years of experience |
3 |
| Minimum fixed monthly salary |
No minimum |
| Skills or certification |
Educational qualification:
- Malaysia – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). For diploma or higher qualifications, upload a transcript or letter from the institution stating the course duration.
- North Asian sources (NAS) – High school certificates.
- People’s Republic of China (PRC) – Diploma.
OR
Completed:
- Composite Assessment for Generic Manufacturing (Process)
OR
Any 2 of these WSQ courses:
- Perform Blasting and Painting Work
- Perform Electrical Fitting Work
- Perform Fitting Works in Workshop
- Perform Instrumentation Fitting Work
- Perform Metal Scaffolding Work
- Perform Plant Civil Work
- Perform Plant Equipment Fitting Work
- Perform Process Pipe Fitting Work
- Perform Refractory Work
- Perform Rigger and Signalman Tasks
- Perform Rotating Equipment Fitting Work
- Perform Thermal Insulation Work
- Perform Welding
|
From 1 January 2026, the higher-skilled worker levy (R1) framework will be enhanced to ensure that workers in the Process sector are equipped with relevant skills. To get R1 status and enjoy lower levy rates, all new and existing Process workers need to meet the
new R1 framework requirements by
31 December 2025.
Process workers who are currently on R1 levy tier and cannot meet the new requirements by 31 December 2025 will be automatically adjusted to basic-skilled levy (R2).
How to upgrade your worker
You need to apply to convert your worker to higher-skilled levy, and upload a copy of the worker’s educational or trade certificates for these 2 pathways:
- Skills / education and salary
- Skills / education and experience
The new levy rate will take effect on the 1st of next month.
You can check your worker’s new skill status and levy rate in WP Online.
For diploma or higher qualifications, you need to upload these additional documents:
| If worker has |
Need additional documents |
| Diploma or higher qualifications from China |
Certificate of graduation and verification proof from any of these sources:
Note: Educational certificates certified by a notary public are not accepted as a form of verification proof.
|
| Diploma or higher qualifications from other countries |
Transcript or letter from the institution stating the course duration. |
For non-English documents, you must submit a copy of the original document and an English translation. The translation can be done by a translation service provider.