SETA Funding for OHS Training in South Africa: Complete Employer's Guide 2026

What is SETA Funding?

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are responsible for skills development in South Africa. Employers paying Skills Development Levies (SDL) can claim back a significant portion through grants.

How SDL Works

• Employers with a payroll exceeding R500,000 annually must pay SDL
• SDL = 1% of total payroll paid to SARS
• SARS distributes: 80% to the relevant SETA, 20% to the National Skills Fund
• Employers can claim back through mandatory and discretionary grants

Types of SETA Grants

Mandatory Grants (20% of SDL)

To claim mandatory grants, employers must:

1. Submit a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) by 30 April annually
2. Submit an Annual Training Report (ATR) for the previous year
3. Be registered with the correct SETA
4. Be tax compliant with SARS

Discretionary Grants (Up to 40% of SDL)

Additional funding available through:

• Applications to your SETA for specific programmes
• Alignment with SETA priority skills areas
• Meeting transformation and equity targets
• Supporting scarce and critical skills development

Which SETA Covers OHS Training?

OHS training typically falls under HWSETA (Health and Welfare SETA), but may also be claimed through:

• MQA (Mining Qualifications Authority) for mining sector
• CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) for construction
• CHIETA (Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority)
• merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services)
• EWSETA (Energy and Water SETA)

The relevant SETA depends on your company's primary SIC code.

NEBOSH Qualifications and SETA Funding

NEBOSH qualifications are increasingly recognised for SETA funding:

Step-by-Step SETA Funding Process

Step 1: Identify Your SETA

Determine which SETA your company is registered with based on your primary business activity and SIC code.

Step 2: Appoint a Skills Development Facilitator (SDF)

• Can be an internal employee or external consultant
• Must be registered with the SETA
• Responsible for WSP/ATR submissions

Step 3: Conduct a Training Needs Analysis

Identify skills gaps across your organisation:

• Review job profiles and competency requirements
• Assess current qualifications and experience
• Identify legislative training requirements
• Align with business objectives

Step 4: Prepare the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)

The WSP must include:

• Organisation details and workforce profile
• Planned training interventions for the coming year
• Budget allocation for skills development
• Employment equity targets
• Scarce and critical skills identification

Step 5: Submit WSP/ATR by 30 April

• Submit electronically through your SETA's portal
• Include the ATR for training completed in the previous year
• Ensure alignment between planned and actual training

Step 6: Claim Mandatory Grant

• Automatic upon approved WSP/ATR submission
• Typically 20% of SDL paid
• Paid within 3-6 months of approval

Step 7: Apply for Discretionary Grants

• Submit applications during SETA funding windows
• Demonstrate alignment with SETA priorities
• Show transformation impact (BEE, equity)
• Provide detailed programme information

Maximising Your SETA Return

Tip 1: Partner with an accredited provider Training from accredited providers like OHS Compliance Group strengthens your discretionary grant applications.

Tip 2: Align with scarce skills OHS is consistently listed as a scarce skill across multiple SETAs, increasing your approval chances.

Tip 3: Include transformation metrics Prioritise training for designated groups (women, youth, people with disabilities) to strengthen applications.

Tip 4: Use a Level 1 BEE provider Training spend with Level 1 BEE providers (like OHS Compliance Group) counts 135% on your BEE scorecard.

Tip 5: Maintain proper records Keep training certificates, attendance registers, and assessment records for audit purposes.

BEE Scorecard Impact

Training spend counts toward the Skills Development element of your BEE scorecard:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the 30 April deadline — late submissions forfeit mandatory grants
• Not aligning WSP with actual training — SETAs audit consistency
• Using non-accredited providers — reduces grant approval chances
• Poor record-keeping — unable to evidence training for ATR
• Ignoring discretionary grants — leaving money on the table

How OHS Compliance Group Supports SETA Claims

We make the funding process seamless:

• SETA-aligned training certificates and documentation
• Attendance registers and assessment records for ATR submissions
• BEE certificates (Level 1 — 100% Black-Owned)
• Bulk corporate pricing maximising your training budget
• Advisory support on WSP/ATR preparation
• Customised training aligned with SETA priority skills

Contact us about SETA-funded training or request a corporate training quote.