Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)
From 1 September 2023, EP candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework. In addition to meeting the qualifying salary (Stage 1), EP candidates must pass a points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) (Stage 2).
COMPASS enables employers to select high-quality foreign professionals, while improving workforce diversity and building a strong Singaporean core. It is a transparent system that gives businesses greater clarity and certainty for manpower planning.
COMPASS will apply to:
* New applications from 1 September 2023
* Renewals from 1 September 2024
* Renewals from 1 September 2024
More details on the COMPASS criteria and assessment tools will be released ahead of September 2023 to help business prepare for the rollout. Find out when the details will be released.
HOW COMPASS WORK
| Individual Attributes | Firm-Related Attributes | |
|---|---|---|
Foundationcal Criteria |
C1. SalaryRelative to local PMET salary norms for sector C2. QualificationsBased on candidate's qualifications |
C3. DiversityWhether candidate improves nationality diversity in firm C4. Support for Local EmploymentBased on local PMET share relative to industry peers |
Bonus Criteria |
C5. Skills Bonus
|
C6. Strategic Economic Priorities BonusFor partnership with Government on ambitious innovation or internationalisation activities |
HOW IS COMPASS SCORED
| Points for each foundational criterion | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 20 | Exceeds expectations |
| 10 | Meets expectations |
| 0 | Does not meet expectations |
Your application can also earn additional points on bonus criteria if it meets the relevant qualifying conditions. These criteria recognise applications that bring in skills in shortage and support strategic economic priorities, thus creating good jobs for Singaporeans.
40 points are required to pass COMPASS:
* Applications that meet expectations (earn 10 points) on all 4 foundational criteria will pass (Example A-1 and Example A-2).
* Otherwise, applications can make up the required points by exceeding expectations on another criterion (Example B) or by scoring bonus points (Example C).
* Otherwise, applications can make up the required points by exceeding expectations on another criterion (Example B) or by scoring bonus points (Example C).
COMPASS scoring
The table below summarises how points are earned.
Passing score: 40 points
| Foundational Criteria | Pointst |
|---|---|
| C1. Salary (Individual) Fixed monthly salary compared to local professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET) salaries in sector by age |
|
| ● > 90th percentile | 20 |
| ● 65th to < 90th percentile | 10 |
| ● < 65th percentil | 0 |
| C2. Qualification (Individual) Based on candidate's qualifications |
|
| ● Top-tier insitution | 20 |
| ● Degree-equivalent qualification | 10 |
| ● No degree-equivalent qualification | 0 |
| C3. Diversity (Firm-related) Share of candidate's nationality among firm’s PMETs.* |
|
| ● < 5% | 20 |
| ● < 5% | 10 |
| ● ≥ 25% | 0 |
| C4. Support for local employment (Firm-related) Firm’s share of local PMETs within its subsector* |
|
| ● ≥ 50th percentile | 20 |
| ● 20th to < 50th percentile | 10 |
| ● < 20th percentile | 0 |
| C5. Skills Bonus - Shortage Occupation List (Individual) | |
| Job on the Shortage Occupation List | +20# |
| C6. Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus (Individual) | |
| Firm meets specific assessment criteria on innovation or internationalisation activities | +10 |
criteria details
| Individual Attributes | Firm-Reated Attributes | |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Criteria | C1. Salary Relative to local PMET salary norms for sector |
C3. Diverslty Whether candidate improves nationality diversity in firm |
| C2. Quallfications Based on candidate's qualifications |
C4. Support for Local Employment Based on local PMET share relative to industry peers |
|
| Bonus Criteria | C5. Skills Bonus (Shortage Occupation List) For candidate in job where skills shortages exist |
C6. Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus For partnership with Government on ambitious Innovation or internationalisation activities |
Examption for compass
Your candidate is exempted from COMPASS if they fufill any of these conditions:
- Earning at least $22,500 fixed monthly salary (similar to the prevailing Fair Consideration Framework job advertising exemption from 1 September 2023).
- Applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee under the World Trade Organisation’s General Agreement on Trade in Services or an applicable Free Trade Agreement that Singapore is party to.
- Filling a role on a short-term basis, i.e. 1 month or less.