When you send your Singapore Citizen or PR employees to a Intellisoft WSQ course, the government pays your company $4.50 for every hour they spend in class. On a 2-day course that's $72 per employee, often more than the course costs you after funding and SFEC.
Training a team? We'll calculate your net cost.
Tell us the courses and number of staff. We'll send you the fees after funding, the Absentee Payroll you can claim, and SFEC savings if you still have credit.
What is Absentee Payroll?
Absentee Payroll (AP) funding helps companies cover the salary cost of staff who are away at training. It's paid at a flat $4.50 per training hour attended, whatever the employee's salary, up to $100,000 per company per year. It applies to all our WSQ courses because they are SSG-funded.
Absentee Payroll you get back per employee
Absentee Payroll is based on the hours actually attended, so these are maximum amounts. Course fees are per employee, before GST.
An example: training five staff
| 5 SME employees on Data Analytics with Excel & Power BI (2 days) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Course fees (5 × $500) | $2,500.00 |
| SkillsFuture funding (70%) | − $1,750.00 |
| Your company pays | $750.00 |
| Absentee Payroll back (5 × 16 h × $4.50) | − $360.00 |
| Net cost to your company (before GST) | $390.00 |
If your company still has SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit, SFEC pays a further 90% of the $750, so the course fees drop to $75 and the Absentee Payroll more than covers them. See how SFEC works (until 30 Nov 2026) →
Who can claim?
- Companies registered in Singapore (including sole proprietors, societies and charities) that make CPF contributions for the employee.
- The employee must be a Singapore Citizen or PR on the company's payroll, and registered as company-sponsored.
- The course must be SSG-funded, like all our WSQ courses, and the employee must complete it.
How to claim Absentee Payroll
- Register your staff as company-sponsored when you book with us, using your company's UEN.
- Your staff attend and complete the course. We record their attendance.
- Submit the claim on the SkillsFuture for Business portal with Corppass after the course ends. The payout goes to your company's bank account.
Why train with Intellisoft
Government agencies, MNCs and SMEs have trained with Intellisoft for over 23 years. Classes are hands-on and led by certified trainers, so your team can use what they learn the next day.
Absentee Payroll: frequently asked questions
How much is Absentee Payroll funding?
$4.50 per training hour attended, for each eligible employee, up to $100,000 per company per calendar year.
Which courses qualify?
All SSG-funded courses, which includes every WSQ course at Intellisoft.
Which employees qualify?
Singapore Citizens and PRs on your payroll that you contribute CPF for, who attend as company-sponsored trainees.
Can we claim Absentee Payroll and SFEC for the same course?
Yes. SFEC reduces the course fee you pay, while Absentee Payroll compensates for your employee's time away from work.
How do we claim?
After the course, submit the claim on the SkillsFuture for Business portal using Corppass. You need the course details and the employee's attended hours.
Is it based on the employee's salary?
No. It is a flat $4.50 per hour for everyone, regardless of salary.
Can sole proprietors claim?
Yes, as long as the business is registered in Singapore and meets the other conditions.
Can you run a private class for our staff?
Yes. Private WSQ classes for your company still qualify for course fee funding and Absentee Payroll.
Questions about Absentee Payroll?
Ask us and a training consultant will reply within one working day. You can also call 6250 3575, WhatsApp 9066 9991 or email training@intellisoft.com.sg.
Sources: GoBusiness. Last checked October 2026. Scheme rules are set by the government and NTUC and can change, so check with us before you rely on a figure.