How to Use Your Remaining HRDF Levy Before Year End (2026)
Strategic tips for maximising your HRDF levy investment with high-impact training programmes before Q4 ends.
HRDF levy does NOT expire annually — it carries forward. However, strategic year-end training maximises your investment. Focus on high-impact programmes like leadership, digital skills, and compliance training before Q4 ends.
Myth vs Reality: HRDF Levy Year-End
Myth
"HRDF levy expires at the end of the year — use it or lose it."
Reality
HRDF levy carries forward indefinitely. There is no annual expiry. Your accumulated balance remains available until you use it for approved training claims.
Why Year-End Still Matters
While levy does not expire, year-end is the ideal time to align training with annual reviews, prepare employees with new skills for the coming year, and ensure compliance certifications are up to date.
Year-End Training Planning Checklist
Check your current levy balance
Log in to e-TRiS and check your available balance. This determines how much training you can fund before year end. Include any pending claims that may still be processed.
How to check levy balance →Review mandatory compliance gaps
Check if any safety certifications are expiring or new employees need initial training. Mandatory training should be prioritised over discretionary programmes.
Identify high-impact quick-win programmes
Focus on 1–2 day programmes that deliver immediate value. Leadership, digital skills, and communication training typically have the fastest ROI and can be scheduled quickly.
Book training providers early
Q4 is peak season for corporate training. HRDF-registered providers get booked quickly in October–December. Confirm dates and e-TRiS registration at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
Submit applications on e-TRiS before training
For SBL-Khas, submit the application before or on the training start date. Do not wait until after training to submit — this risks late submission or rejection.
Plan claim submission within 30 days
Ensure your HR team is ready to submit the claim with all documents within 30 days of training completion. For December training, claims may extend into January but should still meet the deadline.
Quick-Win Training Ideas for Year End
| Training Type | Duration | Est. Cost | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leadership Workshop (1–2 days) | 1–2 days | RM1,500–RM3,000/pax | High — develops future leaders and improves team performance |
| Digital Skills (Excel, Power BI) | 1–2 days | RM800–RM1,500/pax | High — immediate productivity gains across all departments |
| Communication & Presentation Skills | 1 day | RM800–RM1,200/pax | Medium — improves client-facing and internal communication |
| Safety Compliance (Fire, First Aid) | 1 day | RM300–RM800/pax | Mandatory — fulfils legal compliance requirements |
| AI & ChatGPT for Business | 1 day | RM1,000–RM2,000/pax | High — prepares workforce for AI-driven workflows |
| Team Building (Structured) | 1–2 days | RM500–RM1,500/pax | Medium — improves collaboration and morale |
| Project Management Fundamentals | 2 days | RM1,500–RM2,500/pax | High — improves delivery and resource management |
| ESG & Sustainability Awareness | 1 day | RM800–RM1,500/pax | Growing — meets Bursa Malaysia reporting requirements |
*All programmes above are typically HRDF claimable under SBL-Khas when conducted by registered providers.
Tips to Maximize Your HRDF Levy
Group employees for cost efficiency
Send multiple employees to the same programme to share trainer and venue costs. A 20-pax group training is significantly more cost-effective per head than individual enrollments.
Combine mandatory + optional training
Pair required compliance refreshers with high-value development programmes. This ensures you meet legal requirements while also investing in growth.
Consider multi-day programmes for deeper impact
A 2–3 day programme costs more per session but delivers deeper skill development and better ROI than multiple disconnected 1-day workshops.
Use online training to cover more employees
Virtual training eliminates venue and travel costs, allowing you to train more employees with the same levy balance. Especially effective for digital skills and soft skills.
Key Deadlines to Remember
- SBL-Khas Application: Submit before or on the training start date. For December training, do not wait until January.
- Claim Submission: Within 30 days of training completion. December training claims are due by late January.
- Provider Availability: Book Q4 training by early October. Popular providers get fully booked by November.
- Budget Planning: Start 2026 training budget planning in November to have programmes lined up for January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HRDF levy expire at the end of the year?
No, HRDF levy does NOT expire. Your accumulated balance carries forward from year to year indefinitely. However, strategic use of your levy throughout the year ensures your workforce benefits from continuous development rather than a last-minute rush.
Why should I plan training before year end if the levy does not expire?
While the levy carries forward, year-end is an ideal time to use your training budget because: (1) you can align with annual performance reviews, (2) new skills are ready for the new year, (3) Q4 planning ensures you have a training roadmap for the following year, and (4) unused levy represents missed development opportunities.
Can I submit HRDF claims in January for December training?
Yes, you can. The 30-day claim submission window starts from the training completion date, not the calendar year. If training ends on 15 December, you have until mid-January to submit the claim on e-TRiS.
What is the fastest type of training to organise before year end?
One-day workshops and seminars under SBL-Khas are the fastest to organise. Since SBL-Khas is auto-approved, you can book and submit within the same week. Popular quick-win options include digital skills workshops, communication training, and safety compliance refreshers.
How many employees can I send for training at once?
There is no HRD Corp limit on the number of employees per training programme. The only constraint is your levy balance — total claims cannot exceed available funds. Group training is cost-effective as trainer fees are shared across participants.
Should I use my entire levy balance before year end?
Not necessarily. Use your levy strategically based on genuine training needs identified through your TNA. Spending the entire balance on low-priority training is wasteful. Focus on high-impact programmes that address real skill gaps and support business objectives.
Find Training Providers for Year-End Programmes
Browse HRDF-registered providers with Q4 availability. Book early to secure your preferred dates and trainers.
Browse HRDF Providers →Tip Penggunaan Baki Levi HRDF Sebelum Akhir Tahun — Ringkasan dalam Bahasa Melayu
Levi HRDF TIDAK luput pada akhir tahun — baki terkumpul dibawa ke tahun berikutnya. Walau bagaimanapun, perancangan latihan strategik sebelum akhir tahun memaksimumkan pelaburan pembangunan pekerja anda. Semak baki levi di e-TRiS, kenal pasti program latihan berimpak tinggi seperti kemahiran digital, kepimpinan, dan pematuhan keselamatan, dan tempah penyedia latihan berdaftar awal kerana Q4 adalah musim puncak. Hantar permohonan SBL-Khas sebelum tarikh latihan dan tuntutan dalam tempoh 30 hari selepas latihan selesai.
Last verified: March 2026