What changed on 15 June 2026
HRD Corp has revised the terms of its levy-based training schemes (including SBL-Khas). The changes are aimed at tightening how employers apply for and claim training grants, and they took effect on 15 June 2026.
The three most important changes for employers are: (1) grant applications must be submitted and approved before the training starts — HRD Corp has emphasised applying well ahead (allow roughly 14 calendar days); (2) HRD Corp will carry out verification on approved training to confirm it actually took place as claimed; and (3) several levy-based grant terms and conditions have been revised.
In short: last-minute and backdated grant applications no longer work the way they used to, and approved training is now more likely to be checked.
Why HRD Corp is tightening the rules
The training levy is employer money — 1% of the monthly wages of eligible employees — pooled to fund genuine upskilling. Over time, parts of the system were misused: claims for training that barely happened, inflated headcounts, and courses that were not real upskilling.
The new verification and pre-approval requirements are HRD Corp’s way of protecting the levy pool and making sure grants fund real, documented training. For compliant employers and reputable providers, this is good news — it raises the credibility of the whole system.
What employers must do now
Apply early. Submit your grant application and get it approved before the training begins — do not wait until the last minute. Build the lead time into your training calendar.
Keep proper documentation. Attendance records, training materials, trainer details, and proof the session happened (photos, sign-in sheets, completion records) should be kept and ready in case of verification.
Make sure the training is genuine and relevant. The programme should be real upskilling tied to your business needs, delivered by a registered HRD Corp provider.
Confirm the scheme and rates. Check which scheme applies (e.g. SBL-Khas) and the current claimable rates before you commit, so there are no surprises at claim time.
What training providers must do
Providers should ensure their courses remain properly registered and that they can supply the documentation employers need for verification — attendance, content, and delivery evidence.
Providers who run genuine, well-documented programmes benefit: as weaker or non-compliant operators are filtered out, quality providers stand out and win more repeat business.
How this affects your HRDF claims
If your organisation already applies for grants ahead of time and keeps clean records, very little changes for you in practice — you simply need to be disciplined about the pre-approval timeline.
If your team has been in the habit of arranging training first and sorting out the grant afterwards, that approach is now risky. Plan training further ahead and get approval locked in before the start date.
When you are comparing providers or planning a claimable programme, get quotes early so the approval window is comfortable — you can request free quotes from HRDF-approved providers through CorporateTrainingMY in about a minute.
Important note
This summary is based on HRD Corp’s Employer Circular 2/2026 and public announcements. Rules and rates can be updated — always confirm the current requirements on the official HRD Corp portal (hrdcorp.gov.my) or with HRD Corp directly before submitting a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new HRD Corp 14-day rule?
HRD Corp now requires grant applications to be approved before training begins, and has emphasised applying ahead of time — roughly 14 calendar days before the training start date. This replaces the previous practice of last-minute or backdated applications. Always confirm the exact timeline on the official HRD Corp portal.
Do the changes affect grants already approved before 15 June 2026?
The new procedures apply to applications under the levy-based schemes from the effective date. Grants approved earlier generally follow the terms they were approved under, but you should verify the status of any in-progress applications directly with HRD Corp.
What documents do I need if my training is verified?
Be ready with attendance records, the training materials or agenda, trainer and provider details, and evidence the session took place (sign-in sheets, photos, completion records). Keeping these organised for every claimable programme is the safest way to pass verification.
Is training still HRDF claimable after these changes?
Yes. Genuine training delivered by registered HRD Corp providers remains claimable under schemes like SBL-Khas. The changes tighten the process (pre-approval and verification) — they do not remove claimability for legitimate, well-documented training.
Where can I confirm the official HRD Corp rules?
Always check the official HRD Corp portal at hrdcorp.gov.my (Employer Circulars section) or contact HRD Corp directly. This article is a plain-language summary and not a substitute for the official circular.