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Higher-skilled worker levy

Upgrading your worker to higher-skilled status will reduce your levy bill. The exact levy rate depends on your sector.

You pay a lower levy for workers with higher-skilled status.

Criteria for higher-skilled worker levy by sector

The requirements your worker must meet to be on the higher-skilled levy rate are different for each sector:

Apply for higher-skilled worker levy

For construction sector

Your worker can get higher-skilled status by completing one of the four upgrading pathways.

For process sector

Your worker can get higher-skilled status through one of the three upgrading pathways.

For manufacturing, marine shipyard or services sector

You need to apply to convert your worker to higher-skilled levy, and upload a copy of the worker’s educational or trade test certificates.

For diploma or higher qualifications, you need to upload these additional documents:

If worker has diploma or higher qualifications from Additional documents needed
China

Certificate of graduation and verification proof from one of these sources:

Note:

  • The verification proof must confirm that the qualifications are genuine and were awarded by accredited institutions.
  • Educational certificates certified by a notary public are not accepted as a form of verification proof.
Other countries/regions Transcript or letter from the institution stating the course duration.

Harbour craft industry

For harbour craft industry, you need to apply to convert your worker to higher-skilled levy and upload the following documents:

1. Trade test certificate:

Relevant convention Accepted certificates
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention
  • Valid Certificate of Competency issued under STCW'95 (II/1, II/2, II/3 and III/1, III/2, III/3, III/6 and IV/2)
  • Ratings forming part of navigational or engine room watches (Deck and Engine) and Electro Technical Officer (II/4, III/4 and III/6)
  • Able-Bodied Seaman (Deck and Engine) (STCW II/4, II/5 or III/4, III/5)
Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Cook Certificate of Proficiency

2. Verification proof from the issuing authority certifying that the certificate is authentic.

For non-English documents, please provide both the English translation and proof of professional translation service (e.g. contract for service).

Welding trade test for marine shipyard sectors

To meet the trade test component of the higher-skilled worker levy criteria, your worker’s welding trade test must be endorsed by any of these institutions: