Cost of Hiring a Domestic Helper in Singapore (2025)
Thinking about hiring a migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore? Here’s a complete 2025 breakdown—one-time fees, mandatory insurance/bond, monthly costs and sample budgets—so you can plan confidently.
One-time & Up-front Costs
1) Work Permit fees (MOM)
- Application fee: S$35
- Issuance fee: S$35
- Total mandatory permit fees: S$70
Official MOM: Apply for FDW Work Permit
2) Settling-In Programme (SIP) — first-time MDWs
Must be completed within 7 days of arrival; employer pays. Typical provider fees: S$76–S$93.
MOM: Settling-In Programme (SIP)
3) Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP) — first-time employers
Take the 3-hour programme at least 2 working days before applying. Typical fees S$35–S$60.
4) Agency / placement / service fees
Agencies may charge ~S$1,000–S$3,000 depending on profile and services. Ask for a line-item quotation and replacement policy.
Insurance & Security Bond
5) Security Bond
A S$5,000 bond (usually via insurer’s guarantee) per helper, except Malaysians. You can’t recover this from the helper.
6) Medical Insurance — enhanced requirements
Minimum inpatient + day surgery cover: S$60,000 per policy year. From 1 Jul 2025 (Stage 2), for bills above S$15,000, insurers pay 75% and employers 25% (co-pay). Typical premiums for compliant plans: S$250–S$500 for 14–26-month policies (varies by age/add-ons).
MOM: MDW insurance requirements
Monthly & Recurring Costs
7) Salary
Market-typical in 2025: S$650–S$900+ depending on experience, care skills and languages.
8) Monthly Levy (MOM)
- Standard (first helper): S$300/month
- Subsequent helper: S$450/month
- Concessionary levy (eligible households): S$60/month
9) Food & living
Budget S$150–S$250/month if sharing family meals; more for special diets.
10) Rest-day arrangements
At least 1 non-compensable rest day/month. Additional rest days can be exchanged for pay by mutual agreement.
11) Medical checks & incidentals
6-monthly medical exams, occasional clinic visits, transport, phone/data. Budget S$10–S$30/month (averaged).
Sample Budgets (2025)
A) First-time employer, first helper (no concession)
One-time: EOP S$35–S$60 · Permit S$70 · SIP S$76–S$93 · Agency S$1,000–S$3,000 · Insurance S$250–S$500
Monthly: Salary S$750 · Levy S$300 · Food S$200 → ~S$1,250/month
Initial outlay: ~S$1,400–S$3,700 (agency drives variance).
B) Concessionary household
Levy drops to S$60. Example: S$750 salary + S$60 levy + S$200 food → ~S$1,010/month.
C) Second helper
Levy becomes S$450 (non-concession). Expect ~S$1,400+/month depending on salary/diet.
Hidden / Often-Missed Costs
- Agency replacement/early termination fees
- Return air ticket at end of employment (if not bundled)
- Transport, phone/data top-ups, ad-hoc overtime
- Frequent changes (>3 MDWs in 12 months) trigger extra MOM requirements
Keep Costs Predictable
- Get a line-item agency quotation (service vs disbursements)
- Buy insurance that meets 2025 (Stage 2) rules; understand co-pay/exclusions
- Confirm levy tier early; set up GIRO/PayNow
- Plan rest days up-front; clear house rules & onboarding
Bottom Line
Expect an initial outlay of about S$1.4k–S$3.7k, and a monthly budget of roughly S$1.0k–S$1.3k depending on salary and levy concession. Verify latest fees on the MOM website before committing.