Absentee Payroll (AP) funding is one of the most overlooked yet powerful ways to reduce training costs in Singapore. If your employees are attending SkillsFuture-approved courses during working hours—and you’re paying them as usual—you can actually claim back a portion of those wages.
But many businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are still unsure about one thing:
“How do I calculate my claim amount?”
That’s where this article comes in. We’ll break down how AP funding works, walk you through a simple formula, and even give you a free absentee payroll funding calculator to estimate your claims in seconds.
What Is Absentee Payroll (AP) Funding?
Absentee Payroll funding is a grant offered by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to help employers offset the cost of paying employees while they’re away for training.
To qualify for AP funding:
- The employee must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- The training must be SSG-approved
- The employee must be attending during paid working hours
- The employer continues to pay the employee’s salary as usual
So, if your team is upgrading their skills through courses supported by SkillsFuture, you could be reimbursed for some of the time they spend away from their desk.
How Is AP Funding Calculated?
Here’s the core formula used to compute your claim:
AP Funding = Hourly Basic Salary × Training Hours × Funding Rate
Let’s break that down:
- Hourly Basic Salary = Monthly Basic Salary ÷ 26 working days ÷ Number of working hours per day (typically 8)
- Training Hours = Total number of hours the employee spends in approved training
- Funding Rate = Up to $4.50/hour, capped at 80% of the hourly wage
Example:
If an employee earns $3,000/month and attends a 16-hour course:
- Hourly Rate ≈ $3,000 ÷ 26 ÷ 8 = $14.42
- Funding Rate = 80% of $14.42 = $11.54 (but capped at $4.50)
- Claim = $4.50 × 16 = $72.00
Try Our Absentee Payroll Funding Calculator
Instead of crunching numbers manually, use our absentee payroll funding calculator to get a quick estimate of how much support your company can receive.
Absentee Payroll Funding Calculator
Estimated AP Claim: SGD 0.00
This simple absentee payroll funding calculator will help HR professionals, finance managers, and business owners get a quick idea of how much they can claim—before submitting through SkillsFuture’s TPGateway.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
- Always retain salary records, payslips, and attendance sheets for audits
- Claims must be submitted via TPGateway within 120 days from course end
- Final disbursement may vary depending on course eligibility and funding tier
The calculator provides an estimate only—it’s always best to double-check with your training provider or SSG if you’re unsure.
Make Training Grants and Payroll a Breeze with HRMLabs
Managing training claims, tracking training hours, and calculating payroll can be a hassle—especially for SMEs or companies with hybrid teams. That’s why many businesses in Singapore trust HRMLabs.
HRMLabs is a comprehensive HR and payroll platform designed to simplify:
- Salary calculation and CPF contributions
- Attendance tracking and leave approvals
- Employee training records and claim documentation
It’s the perfect system to complement your training efforts—and ensure you never miss an AP claim again. Contact us to learn more about HRMLabs.
Final Thought
Absentee Payroll Funding is a practical, government-backed benefit that supports both skills upgrading and cost-saving—yet many employers still don’t take full advantage of it. Whether you’re an HR manager, payroll executive, or business owner, understanding how to calculate it gives you a financial edge.
Use our absentee payroll funding calculator to estimate your potential claims. And remember: supporting your employees’ growth shouldn’t cost you more—it should make your business stronger.
