🏗 Singapore Construction Levy & Skill Level Guide (MOM 2025)

The levy rate that employers pay for construction-sector Work Permit holders depends on the worker’s skill level — as classified by MOM.

🔹 Construction Levy Rates (2025)

✅ Employers save more when hiring/upgrading R1 workers
✅ Workers gain better job security through upskilling

🎓 Understanding the Upgrade Pathways to “R1” Status

MOM & BCA recognize several routes for construction workers to qualify as Higher-Skilled (R1). Here are the major pathways:

1. Direct R1 Pathway

A worker can move into R1 status without going through the usual trade-experience route if they satisfy both:

• Hold a recognized technical or academic certificate, and 
• Draw a fixed monthly salary of at least S$1,600. 

Recognized Certificates Include:

• Diploma in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering 
• NTC-2 / ITI Certificates in Construction Trades 
• Polytechnic Diplomas or equivalent from approved local or overseas institutions
  You can view the full list on the BCA “Recognised Qualifications for Direct R1 Pathway” page. 

Important to Note:

• Passing SEC(K) alone — even at a higher grade — does not qualify for this pathway. 
• Example scenarios: 

2. Multi-Skilling Pathway

Here, a worker upgrades to R1 by acquiring two or more trade certifications (often via the trade test route) and achieving the required competency across multiple trades.

• Typical route: Worker starts as R2, gains first trade certification (SEC(K)), then takes a second trade test or certificate to become “multi-skilled”. 
• Once multi-skilled, the levy rate drops accordingly (lowest R1 tier). 
• This route emphasizes broadening the worker’s skill set across trades rather than relying on an academic certificate. 

3. Core Trade / MBF (Man-Year Entitlement Waiver) Pathway

This pathway involves participation in recognized schemes under BCA’s upgrading framework:

• Core Trade: A competency-based registration scheme that encourages upgrading of skilled workers and firms. 
• MBF (Man-Year Entitlement Waiver): A waiver scheme for firms meeting productivity and workforce upgrades. 
• Employers who bring workers under these schemes may help those workers move into R1 classification. 
• The key benefit: firms that commit to upgrading and productivity allow the workers to qualify for the lower R1 levy band. 

🧭 Choosing the Right Pathway

• Direct R1 Pathway: Best suited for workers who already hold strong technical/academic credentials and meet the salary threshold. 
• Multi-Skilling Pathway: Ideal for those who begin at trade-level and want to broaden into multiple trades. 
• CoreTrade/MBF Pathway: Suitable for firms with structured upgrade programmes and for workers participating under those employer-led schemes. 

💡 Why It Matters

• For Employers:
  Hiring or upgrading workers to R1 status helps you enjoy lower monthly levies, a more skilled workforce, and may support your applications for productivity/upgrade incentives. 
• For Workers:
  Upgrading to R1 brings faster renewal chances, better salary prospects, and a clearer career progression path in Singapore’s construction sector. 

🧰 Skillsfirst Jobs — Connecting Skilled Workers & Employers

At Skillsfirst Jobs, we help employers build compliant, cost-efficient teams with qualified construction talent.
We also guide workers to upgrade their skills and qualify for R1 status through training, certifications, or participating in recognised pathways.

👉 Visit our portal: https://singaporeworkpermitonly.com
Find ready-to-hire construction candidates with verified skills, safety courses, and work permit details.