How to Submit a WSP and ATR - Step by Step
Nine steps to submit your Workplace Skills Plan and Annual Training Report to your SETA for the 2026-2027 cycle. Written for first-time SDFs and small business owners who need to claim the mandatory grant without hiring a consultant.
1Confirm you are liable for SDL and identify your SETA
Check your SARS registration to confirm you pay the Skills Development Levy. Your SIC code determines which SETA you fall under. If you are already paying SDL via PAYE, your SETA is usually already linked to your SARS profile. If unsure, log into eFiling and check under 'Registration and Amendments'.
2Appoint and register a Skills Development Facilitator
Your SDF must be registered on your SETA's employer portal. The SDF can be an internal employee or an external consultant. Most SETAs require the SDF to upload an appointment letter signed by a company director, plus their ID and proof of qualification (usually an SDF course certificate, NQF 5).
3Get access to your SETA's online submission portal
Each SETA runs its own portal (merSETA SMS, Services SETA Indicium, MICT Indicium, etc.). Request a login via the SETA's website. You will typically need your SDL number, company registration, and proof of SDF appointment. Give yourself at least 2 weeks before the deadline in case access is delayed.
4Export your employee list and map every role to an OFO 2021 code
Pull your payroll or HR system and export a list of every employee. For each employee you need: ID number, name, race, gender, disability status, occupation (as an OFO 2021 code), and qualification level. Use our free OFO Code Mapper to look up codes quickly for common job titles.
5Compile the Annual Training Report (backward looking)
The ATR captures the training you actually delivered in the previous year. For each training event, record: who was trained (linked back to employee OFO code), what was the training, who delivered it, the duration, whether it was accredited, and the cost. Most SETA portals have bulk upload templates - download yours first and fill it in offline before uploading.
6Compile the Workplace Skills Plan (forward looking)
The WSP describes the training you plan to deliver in the coming year. It must be aligned with your strategic needs and the Sector Skills Plan of your SETA. Include: target employees (with OFO codes), training interventions planned, NQF levels, estimated costs, and scarce/critical skills gaps you are addressing.
7Obtain worker committee sign-off
Both WSP and ATR must be signed off by a Workplace Skills Committee or, in smaller organisations, by an authorised worker representative. The SETA portal usually requires you to upload a signed consultation form. Don't skip this - unsigned submissions get rejected and you lose the grant.
8Submit via your SETA portal before 30 April
Upload everything: employee profile, ATR, WSP, consultation form, supporting documents. Once submitted, your SDF should receive a confirmation reference. Save this reference - you will need it to query the mandatory grant payment later.
9Track approval and the mandatory grant payment
SETAs review submissions within 30-60 days. If approved, the mandatory grant (20% of your SDL contributions for the prior year) is paid out according to the SETA's payment schedule - usually quarterly. If rejected, you get a chance to fix the issues and resubmit, but only within a tight window.
Top reasons submissions get rejected
- OFO codes used are from the old 2017 or 2019 version instead of 2021
- Employee demographic totals don't match ATR/WSP totals
- Consultation form missing or unsigned
- SDF registration lapsed or not approved on the portal
- WSP training interventions not aligned with Sector Skills Plan
- Submission after the deadline (no extensions for most SETAs)
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