For many Malaysian employers, part of the cost of training is already covered — through the levy paid each month to the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp). Used well, that levy is one of the most practical ways to build workforce capability without adding to your training budget. This guide explains, in plain language, how HRD Corp claimable training works: who contributes, how much, what you can claim, and how to make a claim step by step.
In short: if your company pays the HRD Corp levy, you can use it to fund approved training — often at little or no net cost to the business — by applying for a grant before the programme begins.
What “HRD Corp claimable” means
When a programme is described as HRD Corp claimable, it means eligible employers can apply to offset the cost of that programme against their HRD Corp levy. Because the levy is money you have already contributed, approved training effectively draws on funds you have set aside — which is why many employers treat it as a “use it or lose it” budget rather than an optional extra. All ApexOne programmes are HRD Corp claimable, and we provide the documentation you need to support your application and claim.
Who pays the levy — and how much
The levy applies to registered employers in the sectors covered by the relevant legislation. Two things determine your position: how many Malaysian employees you have, and the contribution rate that follows from it.
- 10 or more Malaysian employees — registration is mandatory, and the levy is 1% of each employee’s monthly wages.
- 5 to 9 Malaysian employees — registration is optional, at a reduced levy of 0.5% of monthly wages.
The levy is generally calculated on fixed monthly wages and does not include allowances, overtime, or other non-fixed payments. Rates and sector coverage can change, so confirm your exact position with HRD Corp.
What you can use the levy for
The levy is designed to fund employee training and development. In practice, employers most commonly use it for course and programme fees for approved training — whether public programmes with open enrolment or in-house programmes delivered to a single organisation. Certain related training costs may also be supported under specific schemes; HRD Corp sets the current limits and allowable items.
The scheme most employers use: SBL-Khas
Most claimable training runs through the SBL-Khas scheme, listed on the HRD Corp portal under “HRD Corp Claimable Courses”. Its advantage is simple: once your grant is approved, the training fee is settled against your levy account, so there is often little or no upfront cost to the business for the approved amount. Applications are made through HRD Corp’s e-TRiS portal.
How to claim, step by step
- Confirm your levy status. Make sure your company is registered with HRD Corp and your levy account is active and in good standing.
- Choose an approved course and provider. The programme must be delivered by an HRD Corp registered training provider. ApexOne is a registered provider, and our programmes are claimable.
- Apply for the grant on e-TRiS — before the course starts. Log in, go to Application → Grant → Apply Grant, choose the HRD Corp Claimable Courses scheme, and enter the provider, programme, dates, location, and trainee details.
- Attach supporting documents. Typically the invoice or quotation, the trainer’s profile, and the course schedule or content — then complete the declaration.
- Submit and wait for approval. A grant officer reviews the application. Allow lead time; approvals commonly take around two weeks, so apply well before the start date.
- Run the training, then submit your claim. After the programme, submit the claim with attendance records and the tax invoice. The approved fee is debited from your levy account.
The single most important rule: apply for grant approval before the training takes place. Applications submitted after a programme has already run are the most common reason claims are refused.
Common reasons claims are rejected
- Applying for the grant after the training has already happened.
- Using a provider that is not registered with HRD Corp.
- Missing or incomplete documents — invoice, trainer profile, or course outline.
- Exceeding the participant limits for the programme type.
- Details on the application not matching the training actually delivered.
Applying early and keeping your paperwork tidy avoids almost all of these.
Using your levy for in-house training
If several people need the same capability, in-house (corporate) training is usually the most cost-effective way to use your levy: one approved programme, delivered to your team, on your schedule, and shaped around your organisation’s real gaps. It is claimable in the same way as public programmes. ApexOne designs and delivers HRD Corp claimable in-house training across leadership, digital, and technical skills — and we handle the documentation your claim needs.
Before you apply: a quick checklist
- Company registered with HRD Corp and levy account active.
- Programme and provider confirmed — and the provider is HRD Corp registered.
- Quotation or invoice, trainer profile, and course outline ready.
- Grant application submitted on e-TRiS before the start date.
- Attendance records and tax invoice kept for the post-training claim.
Frequently asked questions
What does “HRD Corp claimable” mean?
It means an eligible employer can apply to offset the cost of that training programme against the HRD Corp levy they already contribute. Approved training therefore draws on funds you have set aside, often at little or no net cost to the business.
Who has to register with HRD Corp?
Employers with 10 or more Malaysian employees in covered sectors must register and contribute a levy of 1% of monthly wages. Employers with 5 to 9 Malaysian employees may register voluntarily at a reduced rate of 0.5%.
How much is the HRD Corp levy?
It is 1% of monthly wages for employers with 10 or more Malaysian employees, or 0.5% for smaller employers that register voluntarily. It is generally calculated on fixed wages and excludes allowances and overtime.
What is the SBL-Khas scheme?
SBL-Khas, shown on the HRD Corp portal as HRD Corp Claimable Courses, is the scheme most employers use. Once a grant is approved, the training fee is settled against your levy account, so there is often no upfront cost for the approved amount.
Do I apply for the grant before or after the training?
Before. You must apply for grant approval on the e-TRiS portal before the programme start date. Applying after the training has already taken place is the most common reason claims are rejected.
What can the levy be used to claim?
Mainly the fees for approved training programmes, delivered publicly or in-house by an HRD Corp registered provider. Certain related costs may be supported under specific schemes, and HRD Corp sets the current limits.
Can I use HRD Corp for in-house training?
Yes. In-house training for your own team is claimable in the same way as public programmes, and it is often the most cost-effective use of your levy when several people need the same skills.
Why do claims get rejected?
The usual causes are applying after the training has already run, using a provider that is not registered with HRD Corp, incomplete documents, or exceeding participant limits. Applying early with complete paperwork avoids most problems.
Talk to us
If you would like help identifying the right programme for your team — or getting the documentation right for a claim — browse our programmes or talk to us. We work with HRD Corp claimable training every day.
This guide is general information, not formal advice. HRD Corp’s rules, rates, and schemes can change; always confirm the current requirements on the official HRD Corp website (hrdcorp.gov.my) or with HRD Corp directly before you apply.