What is COMPASS?
COMPASS is a points-based framework that evaluates Employment Pass (“EP”) applicants on a holistic set of individual and firm-related attributes. COMPASS aims to provide companies with clarity and predictability for human resource planning, and recognises the effort to develop a strong Singaporean core with international diversity.
Where does it apply?
How COMPASS works?
How is each criterion awarded?
| 0 points | If applicant does not meet expectations |
| 10 points | If applicant meets expectations |
| 20 points | If applicant exceeds expectations |
In addition to meeting the prevailing qualifying salary requirement, EP candidates must score at least 40 points to pass COMPASS1.
The table below demonstrates how points are earned.
| Foundational criteria | Points |
| C1. Salary (Individual) Fixed monthly salary compared to local professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET) salaries in sector by age |
|
|
20 |
|
10 |
|
0 |
| C2. Qualification (Individual) Based on candidate’s qualifications |
|
|
20 |
|
10 |
|
0 |
| C3. Diversity (Firm-related) Share of candidate’s nationality among firm’s PMETs.* |
|
|
20 |
|
10 |
|
0 |
| C4. Support for local employment (Firm-related) Firm’s share of local PMETs within its sector* |
|
|
20 |
|
10 |
|
0 |
| Bonus criteria | |
|---|---|
| C5. Skills Bonus – Shortage Occupation List (Individual) | |
| Job on the Shortage Occupation List | +20# |
| C6. Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus (Firm-related) | |
| Firm meets specific assessment criteria on investment, innovation, internationalisation, or company and workforce transformation activities | +10 |
* Small firms with fewer than 25 PMET employees score 10 points on C3 and C4 by default.
# Skills bonus is reduced to +10 if the share of candidate’s nationality among the firm’s PMETs is one-third or higher.
Who is exempt from COMPASS?
Candidates are exempt from COMPASS if they fulfil any of the following conditions:
- The candidate earns a minimum fixed monthly salary of SGD 22,500;
- The candidate is applying as an overseas intercorporate transferee under the World Trade Organisation’s General Agreement on Trade in Services or an applicable Free Trade Agreement that Singapore is party to; or
- The candidate is applying for a short-term EP (not exceeding one month).
What is its impact on Employers?
Strategically, employers can start considering the following aspects:
- Shortage Occupations List2: Determine the extent that your firm’s hiring needs are going to be met from the Shortage Occupation List. If the answer is “yes,” that is 20 points or halfway to the COMPASS requirement.
- Salary Benchmarking: Perform salary benchmarking to know where your organisation stands in terms of salary competitiveness; if you tend to offer higher pay in the market, you will likely net another 10-20 points. The additional benefit of higher pay tends to be the higher probability of attracting candidates from toptier educational institutions. Based on this assumption, that is another 10-20 points.
- Diversity: Begin by looking for candidates from different countries who all bring different perspectives to the table. This diverse workforce with employees from various nationalities may earn another 10—20 points.
- Strong Singaporean Core: Aim to hire more Singaporeans as professionals/managers. Anticipating the practical challenges in this regard e.g. the local workforce may not have the requisite skill set, your organization may invest more in training and take a longer-term view on the career progression within your organisation. If a significant proportion of your professionals/managers are Singaporeans, this will net you another 10-20 points.
- Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP)3: Participation in one of the listed eligible programmes by economic agencies or the National Trade Union Congress and demonstrate a commitment to developing the local workforce. This secures 10 points for the duration of the programme or 3 years, whichever is shorter.
How do I find out how my firm will fare on firm-related criteria?
You may use the Workforce Insights tool in myMOM Portal4 to find out your firm’s score on the firm-related COMPASS criteria, and gain insights on how / what you could improve.
The Self-Assessment Tool5, will be enhanced by Sep 2023 to include indicative COMPASS score.
Reference materials
For more information, the following materials are available on the MOM website www.mom.gov.sg:
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