Hiring a Domestic Helperin Singapore

You start by telling us what your family needs, and we take it from there. The first step is a short conversation about your household, the kind of support you are looking for, and any specific requirements such as childcare, eldercare, or cooking. From there we shortlist helpers who genuinely fit, arrange interviews, and guide you through the paperwork with the Ministry of Manpower. Most families find the process simpler than expected once someone is walking them through it.

You will need your NRIC or FIN, proof of income, and basic details of your household. If you are a first time employer, the Ministry of Manpower also requires you to complete the Employer Orientation Programme before your helper arrives. We prepare and check every form with you so nothing is missed, and we will tell you exactly what to have ready before each step.

A transfer helper who is already in Singapore can often start in around two weeks, while a helper coming from overseas usually takes longer because of training, medical checks, and travel. The honest answer is that timelines vary with each case, and anyone who promises an exact date upfront is guessing. We will give you a realistic estimate for your specific situation once we understand your needs.

Yes, and we strongly encourage it. For a transfer helper already in Singapore you can often meet in person, and for a helper overseas we arrange a video interview so you can speak with her directly before deciding. Meeting your helper first is one of the most important steps in finding the right fit, and we will never pressure you to commit before you feel comfortable.

A transfer helper is already working in Singapore and is looking to move to a new employer, while an overseas hire is a helper coming from her home country for the first time. A transfer is usually faster and lets you meet the helper in person, which suits families who need support quickly. An overseas hire takes longer but offers a wider choice of candidates and a helper who starts fresh with your household. We will help you weigh which route fits your timing and needs.

Yes, it is possible to hire a helper directly without an agency, and some experienced employers choose this route. The trade off is that you take on all of the paperwork, screening, and risk yourself, with no one to turn to if something goes wrong. What you are really paying an agency for is careful matching, proper checks, and ongoing support, which is why most first time employers prefer a guided process. We are happy to explain both routes honestly so you can decide what suits your family.

Yes. Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and many foreigners on an eligible work pass can hire a domestic helper, as long as you meet the Ministry of Manpower requirements, which mainly come down to being able to financially support and properly house a helper. If you are not sure whether you qualify, send us your situation on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly before you commit to anything.

If you are hiring a domestic helper for the first time, the Ministry of Manpower requires you to complete the Employer Orientation Programme before your helper starts work. It is a short online session that explains your responsibilities as an employer and how to build a fair and respectful working relationship. We will flag it at the right time and guide you through it so nothing holds up your helper's arrival.

Our agency fee covers the full service of matching, documentation, and support throughout the hiring process, and we will always explain exactly what is included before you commit to anything. Because every family's situation is different, the clearest way to get an accurate figure is a quick chat on WhatsApp where we can walk you through it properly. We believe in being upfront, so you will never face hidden charges or surprises from us.

The helper levy is a monthly fee paid to the Singapore government, not to the agency or the helper, for employing a foreign domestic worker. It is currently 300 dollars a month for a first helper, or a concessionary rate of 60 dollars a month if your household qualifies, such as having a child under 16, an elderly family member, or a person with a disability. Because the government reviews these rates from time to time, we recommend confirming the current amount on the Ministry of Manpower website, and we will point you to the right information for your situation.

Yes, a security bond of 5,000 dollars is required by the Ministry of Manpower for most foreign domestic workers who are not Malaysian. It is usually arranged as a guarantee through a bank or insurer rather than paid in full out of pocket, and it acts as a commitment to the authorities that you and your helper will meet the Work Permit conditions. We arrange this for you as part of the process so you are not left to sort it out alone.

Your helper must be covered by medical insurance and personal accident insurance that meet the Ministry of Manpower's minimum requirements. This protects both your helper and your household in the event of illness or injury. The required coverage amounts are set by the government and updated periodically, so we will make sure your policy meets the current standard when we arrange it with you.

The full cost is made up of several parts, most of which go to the government or third parties rather than the agency. These include the monthly levy, the security bond, medical and personal accident insurance, your helper's monthly salary, and the agency fee for our service. Our full cost guide lays out every figure with sources, and the clearest way to understand the total for your situation is a short conversation where we lay out each part honestly, and we will never bury costs or surprise you later.

Yes. We place helpers from Indonesia and Myanmar, and you are welcome to express a preference or let us recommend based on your household's needs. Each nationality brings different strengths, and the right fit often depends more on the individual helper's experience and temperament than on nationality alone. We are happy to talk through what tends to suit families like yours.

We match based on your household's real needs, such as the ages of your children, whether elderly care is involved, cooking preferences, and the temperament that would suit your home. Matching is the part we care about most, because a helper who fits your family settles in better and stays longer than one chosen on paper alone. We take the time to understand both sides rather than simply sending profiles.

Yes. We share each shortlisted helper's biodata so you can review her experience, skills, and background before you decide to interview. We believe in being honest about what a helper can and cannot do, so you will get an accurate picture rather than an inflated one. If anything in a biodata is unclear, just ask and we will clarify it for you.

That is completely normal, and there is no pressure to choose from the first shortlist. Finding the right helper sometimes takes a few rounds, and we would always rather you wait for a genuine fit than settle. We will keep refining the shortlist based on your feedback until you meet someone who feels right for your family.

Yes. Many of our helpers from Indonesia are Muslim and are used to halal kitchen practices, daily prayer, and the rhythm of a Muslim household including during Ramadan. Bahasa Indonesia is also very close to Malay, so communication with Malay speaking families is usually comfortable from the start. If faith and language matter in your home, tell us early and we will make it a priority in the matching.

Yes. We can match you with a helper who has real experience caring for pets, whether that means walking and feeding a dog, looking after cats, or keeping a calm routine for animals at home. Not every helper is comfortable around pets, so we raise it early and shortlist only those who are genuinely happy to help with them.

As an employer you are responsible for paying your helper's salary on time, providing suitable accommodation and meals, giving her adequate rest, and meeting the Ministry of Manpower's requirements such as insurance and the levy. You are also responsible for treating your helper fairly and with respect, which is the foundation of a good working relationship. We will explain each obligation clearly so you start on the right footing.

Helper salaries in Singapore are negotiated rather than set by a statutory minimum wage, because Singapore does not have one, though each helper's home country sets its own guideline. For the helpers we place, a Myanmar helper typically starts from around 450 to 500 dollars a month and an Indonesian helper from around 550 dollars, while experienced or transfer helpers commonly earn 650 dollars and above depending on their skills and the job scope. We will advise you on a fair and realistic salary for the helper you choose, so the arrangement feels right for both sides.

Yes. Your helper is entitled to a weekly rest day under Ministry of Manpower rules. If both you and your helper agree, a rest day can be compensated with payment in place of the day off, but the choice should be mutual and properly agreed. Adequate rest matters for your helper's wellbeing and for a healthy long term working relationship, and we are glad to advise on arranging this fairly.

There are no fixed maximum working hours set for domestic helpers in Singapore, so reasonable hours and sufficient rest come down to mutual respect and good sense. A helper who is given proper breaks, enough sleep, and reasonable expectations works better and stays longer. We encourage employers to treat working hours the way they would want to be treated, and we are happy to share what works well for other families.

Most families pay their helper through PayNow or a bank transfer, because it creates a clear record that protects both sides. Cash is allowed too, as long as your helper signs to acknowledge each payment. The Ministry of Manpower expects salary to be paid within seven days of the end of each salary period, so a fixed monthly transfer on the same date is the easiest habit to keep.

No. The Ministry of Manpower requires a domestic helper to live at the residential address listed on the work permit, which means the helper stays in your home rather than living out. What you can do is provide a proper room or a suitable private space to rest, which is both a requirement and simply the right thing for a comfortable working relationship.

If a placement does not work out within the agreed period, we help you find a suitable replacement, and we will explain exactly how this works before you commit so there are no surprises. Our priority is getting the match right in the first place, but we know life is not always predictable. The specific terms depend on your agreement with us, so we will walk you through them clearly upfront.

If your helper wishes to leave early, there are proper steps to follow with the Ministry of Manpower, and we will guide you through them so everything is handled correctly. These situations are easier to manage when they are approached calmly and fairly on both sides. We are here to support you through the process rather than leaving you to navigate it alone.

If your helper abandons her employment, you should report it to the Ministry of Manpower and the police as required, and we will help you understand the steps and your obligations regarding the work permit and security bond. While this is uncommon, it is understandably stressful, so we will support you in handling it properly. Acting promptly and following the correct process protects you as the employer.

Yes. Our relationship does not end once your helper starts work, and we remain available to help with questions, adjustments, and any issues that come up during employment. Many agencies step back after placement, and we deliberately do not. If something is not working, reach out and we will help you sort it out.

Tell us early. If something does not feel right in the first few weeks, whether it is communication, the daily routine, or simply the fit, the worst thing to do is wait and hope it sorts itself out. We step in to mediate, coach where it helps, and give the relationship a fair chance to settle, because the first weeks are always an adjustment. If it genuinely is not the right match, we move to a replacement within the terms of your guarantee rather than leaving you stuck.

A domestic helper's work permit is valid for up to two years and must be renewed before it expires, including a valid medical examination and up to date insurance. We will remind you ahead of time and handle the renewal paperwork with you so the permit does not lapse. Renewing on time keeps everything in order and avoids unnecessary stress close to the expiry date.

Yes, a helper can be transferred to another employer with the proper consent and Ministry of Manpower approval. Transfers are a normal part of domestic employment in Singapore and are straightforward when the correct steps are followed. If you are considering a transfer, talk to us and we will explain the process and what it means for both you and your helper.

When a contract ends, you can choose to renew it if both you and your helper are happy, arrange for her to return home, or begin a transfer if she is moving to a new employer. We will talk you through the options well before the end date so there is no last minute rush. Whatever you decide, we will help make the transition smooth and correct.