Cost of a domestic helper in Singapore: salary, levy, insurance, agency fees and the monthly total

The cost of a domestic helper in Singapore is her salary plus a set of costs MOM fixes. The levy is $300 a month, or $60 if a Singapore citizen child under 16 lives with you, and for parents that lower rate starts from your child's date of birth. You also need a $5,000 security bond, bought as a guarantee from a bank or insurer, medical insurance with at least $60,000 of cover a year, and personal accident cover of at least $60,000. MOM sets no minimum salary, so that part is agreed between you and your helper. One-off costs include $70 in work permit fees, a settling-in course of $76.40 to $92.65 for a first-time helper, and any agency fee. Here is each cost, a monthly total, and the rules that catch new employers out.

The monthly cost at a glance

A worked example: if you agree a salary of $700, which is an example and not a recommendation, and you have a Singapore citizen baby at home, your fixed monthly cost is $700 plus the $60 levy, or $760, before food, insurance and the six-monthly exam. Without the concession it would be $1,000. Our maid levy calculator works out the levy for your household, and the infant care vs nanny cost calculator compares a helper with other childcare.

The levy, and the concession for parents

MOM charges a monthly levy instead of CPF. The rates:

You qualify for the $60 rate if someone in your household is a Singapore citizen child under 16, a Singapore citizen aged 67 or above, or a person with disabilities, among MOM's criteria. For a child, MOM says the concession starts from the date your child was born.

Three levy rules to know:

• For a first-time helper, the levy starts on the 5th day after she arrives (the arrival day counts).
• If you miss levy payments for two months in a row, MOM revokes her work permit the following month.
• When she goes home on leave for at least 7 days in a row, you can get a levy waiver for up to 60 days a year.

One-time costs when you hire

You can also hire without an agency. MOM lets you apply for or renew a work permit yourself through its eService with Singpass. Our guide to transferring a domestic helper covers hiring someone already working in Singapore.

Insurance and the security bond

MOM sets the minimum cover, and you can't pass the cost to your helper:

• Medical insurance: an annual claim limit of at least $60,000 for inpatient care and day surgery, with the insurer paying 75% and you 25% of claims above $15,000.
• Personal accident insurance: a sum assured of at least $60,000 a year.
• Security bond: a $5,000 banker's or insurer's guarantee for each non-Malaysian helper. MOM can forfeit it if, for example, you don't pay her salary on time, and immigration will turn her away on arrival if the bond isn't in force.

Many insurers sell all three together. Our helper insurance guide explains what MOM requires in detail.

Rest days, leave and sending her home

These are the costs that come up later:

• Rest days: one a week. If she agrees to work on a rest day, MOM says you must pay at least 1 day's salary, which is her monthly salary divided by 26. At least one rest day a month can't be paid away.
• Home leave: MOM doesn't require you to pay her salary while she is on overseas leave unless the contract says so, and who pays for the air ticket is for you to agree. A column hosted by MOM notes that a common practice is 14 days of paid leave for every two years worked.
• End of the contract: you pay for her flight home and her check-in luggage. MOM says employers bear the full cost of sending a helper home, even if the contract ends early.

Rules new parents should know

• Measles immunity: from 1 September 2025, if a child under 7 in your home isn't fully vaccinated against measles, MOM says your helper must be immune to measles. Income Insurance offers its policyholders measles vaccination from $76.30 through its MediPass app.
• Income: MOM uses household income or salary to assess your application but doesn't publish the amount.
• Age: you must be 21 or older to employ a helper.

If you're still deciding between a helper, infant care and grandparents, our comparison guide weighs them up, and our interview questions help you choose someone who is good with babies. Our guide to budgeting for a baby in Singapore puts the helper into your whole first-year budget.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a domestic helper cost a month in Singapore?

Her salary, which MOM leaves to you and your helper, plus a levy of $300 a month, or $60 if a Singapore citizen child under 16 lives with you. Add food, insurance and the six-monthly medical exam. With a $700 salary and the concession, the fixed cost is $760 a month.

When does the $60 levy concession start for a newborn?

From your child's date of birth, MOM says, as long as your child is a Singapore citizen. Our maid levy calculator shows the amount for your household.

Is there a minimum salary for a domestic helper in Singapore?

No. MOM does not set a minimum wage for helpers. You must pay the salary in her contract every month, within 7 days of the end of the salary period.

Is there a cap on maid agency fees?

Not for employers. MOM removed the cap on fees agencies charge employers, though agencies must refund at least 50% of their service fee if the job ends within 6 months and other conditions are met.

Do I have to pay for my helper's flight home?

Yes, at the end of her employment, including check-in luggage, even if the contract ends early. For home leave during the contract, who pays for the ticket is for you and your helper to agree.