What it actually costs
Hiring a foreign domestic worker in Singapore has four recurring monthly costs — her salary, the government levy, insurance, and food and upkeep — and several one-off costs at the start: the agency fee, a security bond, a medical examination, the settling-in programme, the work permit application, and her flight. Recurring costs continue for as long as she is employed. One-off costs are paid once per helper. Every licensed agency is required by the Employment Agencies Act to give you a written, itemised breakdown of all of these before you engage them.
These four continue for as long as your helper is employed. Budget for them as a monthly commitment, not a one-time expense.
A helper already in Singapore transferring from another employer typically avoids airfare, and often the medical and settling-in costs too, since she is already here and has completed them. The recurring costs are the same. If starting cost is your main constraint, a transfer is usually the cheaper route — see our guide to transfer helpers.
Levy rates, insurance minimums and source-country salary requirements are set by regulators and change. An agency page quoting figures from last year is worse than useless — it is misleading. Current levy rates and insurance requirements are published by the Ministry of Manpower, and we will give you today's exact figures in writing, itemised line by line, before you commit to anything.
Under the Employment Agencies Act, your service agreement must state the validity period, a clear breakdown of every fee and tax, the refund terms, the replacement terms, and a dispute resolution mechanism. If an agency will not put the full cost in writing before you sign, that is the answer. More on choosing an agency.
Questions
The levy is a monthly government charge paid to MOM. There is a standard rate and a lower concessionary rate for households that qualify — generally those with a child under a certain age, an elderly member, or a person with disabilities. Rates are set by MOM and change, so check mom.gov.sg for the current figure or ask us and we will confirm it in writing.
Many households do and never claim it. It generally applies where there is a young child, an elderly family member, or a person with disabilities in the household, subject to MOM criteria. Tell us your household composition and we will tell you whether you qualify before you commit.
Usually not. It is a banker's or insurer's guarantee required by MOM for non-Malaysian helpers. Most employers buy it as a bond, paying a premium rather than the full $5,000. It is forfeited only if certain conditions are breached.
Usually cheaper to start, because she is already in Singapore — no airfare, and often no medical or settling-in programme. The recurring monthly costs are the same either way.
Yes, and every licensed agency is required to. Your service agreement must itemise each fee and tax, state refund and replacement terms, and set out a dispute resolution mechanism. Ask us for the breakdown before you decide.
Talk to us
Tell us your household — size, whether anyone qualifies for the concessionary levy, and what you need help with. We will send back an itemised breakdown with current figures.
