Bringing a domestic helper into your home is one of the biggest decisions a household in Singapore can make. Whether you are juggling young children, caring for elderly parents, or simply need help running a busy home, a domestic helper in Singapore can make daily life far more manageable. But hiring one is not just a transaction: it is taking on a fellow human being who will live under your roof, and with that comes real legal and moral responsibility. This guide walks you through the essentials so you can start well informed.
A quick note before we begin: rules, fees and levies change often, and this article is a general overview, not legal advice. Always confirm the current requirements with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) at mom.gov.sg before you commit.
What is a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW)?
In official language, the person many Singaporeans casually call a “maid” is a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW), also known as a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW). She (most are women, though the term is not gender specific) comes to Singapore on a Work Permit to carry out household duties such as cleaning, cooking, and caring for children or elderly family members.
MDWs commonly come from countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and India. They are not casual labour: they are people who have left their own families and homes to work here, and Singapore’s rules are designed, in part, to protect their welfare. Treating your helper with dignity and fairness is not only the right thing to do, it is expected of you as an employer.
Are you eligible to hire?
Before you think about candidates, check whether you qualify. MOM sets criteria for who may employ an MDW, and these typically consider factors such as:
- Your financial ability to maintain and support a helper
- A genuine need for domestic help, for example young children, elderly relatives or family members with disabilities
- Your age and that of the helper (both are subject to minimum ages)
You will also need to pass an online Employer Orientation Programme if you are a first-time employer, so that you understand your duties before the helper arrives. Because the exact eligibility rules are updated from time to time, check the current list on MOM’s website rather than relying on what a friend told you a few years ago.
The hiring process, step by step
Hiring a helper follows a fairly set path. Here is the general flow.
Agency or direct hire?
You have two broad routes. You can go through a licensed employment agency, which handles much of the paperwork, matching and logistics for a fee, or you can hire directly, often re-hiring someone already known to you or transferring a helper from another employer. Agencies cost more but reduce hassle, especially for first-timers. If you use one, check that it is licensed on MOM’s directory.
Work permit application
Every MDW must hold a valid Work Permit. As the employer, you (or your agency on your behalf) apply for it. This is the core “MOM work permit helper” requirement, and the permit ties the helper’s legal right to work to you specifically.
Security bond and insurance
For non-Malaysian helpers, you must furnish a security bond to the government, usually in the form of a bank guarantee or an insurance-backed bond. You are also required to buy medical insurance and personal accident insurance for your helper. These protect both her and you against unexpected medical or accident costs.
Medical checks
Your helper must undergo a medical examination on arrival and then periodic six-monthly medical examinations (6ME) covering pregnancy and certain infectious diseases, as required by MOM.
Settling-In Programme
First-time helpers who have not worked in Singapore before must attend the Settling-In Programme (SIP) within their first few days. It covers safety, adjusting to life here, and their rights and responsibilities. It is a good idea for you to talk through house rules and expectations around the same time.
Think of the first two weeks as a settling-in period for both of you. Clear, kind communication early on prevents most of the misunderstandings that sour a working relationship later.
Levies and concessions
Employing a helper comes with a monthly government levy, a pricing mechanism that moderates the number of foreign workers in Singapore. The levy is separate from your helper’s salary and is paid to the government.
Many households qualify for a concessionary (lower) levy rate if they have, for example, a young child, an elderly family member, or a person with disabilities in the household. The concession recognises that these homes have a genuine care need.
Levy amounts and concession criteria change periodically, so treat any figure you read online as a rough guide only and check the live rates on MOM’s site before budgeting.
Employer responsibilities and fair treatment
This is the part that matters most. Your helper is entitled to fair, humane treatment, and much of it is written into law.
- Salary: Pay the agreed salary in full and on time every month, and keep records. Some source countries also set a minimum salary.
- Rest days: Your helper is entitled to weekly rest days. If she agrees to work on a rest day, she must be compensated for it. Do not treat rest days as optional favours.
- Accommodation: Provide safe, decent accommodation with adequate privacy, ventilation, basic amenities and sufficient rest. She should not be made to sleep somewhere unsafe or exposed.
- Food and wellbeing: Provide adequate food and access to medical care. Watch out for signs of stress or homesickness.
- Insurance: Maintain the required medical and personal accident insurance throughout her employment.
- No holding of documents: Do not confiscate her passport or Work Permit against her will, and never withhold salary as a form of control.
Being a responsible employer
The best employers treat their helper the way they would want a family member to be treated abroad: with respect, patience and clear communication. Let her keep her own phone, contact her family, and have proper rest. A helper who feels respected and secure is happier, stays longer, and cares more genuinely for your family. Fair treatment is not just compliance, it is common decency.
Quick checklist before your helper arrives
- Confirm you meet MOM’s eligibility criteria.
- Complete the Employer Orientation Programme if required.
- Decide between an agency and direct hire, and verify any agency is licensed.
- Apply for the Work Permit and arrange the security bond.
- Buy the required medical and personal accident insurance.
- Prepare safe, private accommodation and think through house rules.
- Book the medical examination and Settling-In Programme.
- Budget for both the salary and the monthly levy.
Hiring a helper in Singapore is a serious commitment of money, time and care, but done thoughtfully it can be a genuinely positive relationship for everyone in the home. Go in prepared, follow the rules, and treat the person you welcome into your household with the fairness she deserves.
Explore more: Cost of living in Singapore and Having a baby in Singapore.