Hire Maid Singapore Cost: Insurance, Levy & Fees

Understanding hire maid Singapore cost helps you budget before you shortlist biodata. The total cost of hiring a maid in Singapore includes her monthly salary, the MOM foreign worker levy, insurance and a security bond, and one-time agency fees. Amounts vary with nationality, experience, and transfer vs overseas new hire, and agency fees differ between agencies, so this page explains each component and where to confirm the current figure. SmartMaid does not quote fees; the licensed agency on each biodata does.

Monthly ongoing costs

• Salary: agreed between employer and helper and written into the employment contract. It usually reflects her experience, the duties and the size of the household. Some employers also budget for a yearly bonus or a pay review at renewal.
• Foreign worker levy: paid to MOM every month while the Work Permit is valid. The rate depends on your household; see the next section.
• Food, accommodation and daily needs: you provide suitable lodging, adequate meals and basic toiletries. Many households also cover a mobile top-up.
• Rest-day arrangements: if you agree in writing that she works on a rest day, the contract sets how that day is compensated. At least one rest day a month cannot be replaced with compensation.

The foreign worker levy and concessions

MOM charges a monthly levy for each helper. There is a normal rate and a lower concessionary rate. The concession applies when an eligible person lives in your household: a Singapore citizen child below 16, an elderly person aged 67 or above (Singapore citizen, or a permanent resident in some cases), or a person with disabilities who needs help with daily activities (this route needs a recommendation from the Agency for Integrated Care). The concession covers one helper per eligible person and up to two helpers per household. The eligible person must usually share your NRIC address and be listed as a household member in FDW eService. Current rates and criteria are on MOM's levy concession page.

Insurance and the security bond

Before a helper arrives, the employer buys medical insurance and personal accident insurance that meet MOM's requirements, and a security bond for every helper except Malaysians. The bond is a guarantee from a bank or insurer, not cash handed over, and you cannot ask the helper to pay for it. Insurers and banks usually sell the bond and the insurance as a package; premiums differ, so compare what each policy covers. The bond amount and the conditions for discharge and forfeiture are set out on MOM's security bond page; our security bond guide explains them in plain English, and our maid insurance guide covers what the policies pay for.

One-time / upfront costs

• Agency service fee: covers matching, the Work Permit application and paperwork. Overseas new hires usually cost more than transfers. Ask what the fee includes and whether any part is refundable. Our guide to maid agency fees in Singapore covers the 50% refund rule and the questions to ask.
• Placement fee (loan): some helpers owe a placement fee that is repaid through salary deductions over the first months. Ask the agency how many months are involved and how it appears on her payslip. Filipino helpers should not be charged a placement fee under Philippine rules.
• Airfare: typically for overseas new hires, not transfers.
• Medical examination: a medical check after arrival for new helpers, then the regular six-monthly medical examination during employment.
• Settling-in Programme (SIP): first-time helpers attend the SIP; the fee is usually part of the agency package.
• Employer Orientation Programme (EOP): first-time employers attend the EOP before applying.
• Household set-up: bedding, storage and anything she needs for her room.

Transfer vs new hire cost

Transfer maids usually cost less upfront because there is no overseas recruitment or flight. New hires from overseas involve airfare, more documents and longer processing, but give you a wider choice. With a transfer, check whether any placement-fee deductions are still running from her current contract, and agree the handover date with her current employer. Compare routes: transfer maids (46 live) · new hire (4,879 live) · transfer maid guide.

What changes the total

• Her experience and duties: caregiving, infant care or cooking for a large family can affect the salary you agree.
• Your household: whether you qualify for the levy concession makes a large difference to the monthly total.
• The route: transfer, overseas new hire or ex-Singapore helper returning from home.
• The agency package: what is bundled (insurance, SIP, replacement terms) and what is charged separately.
• Home leave and bonuses: the leave, ticket and bonus arrangements you agree in the contract.

How to compare agency quotes

1. Ask two or three agencies for a written, itemised breakdown for the same kind of helper.
2. Check whether insurance, the bond, SIP and the medical are included or extra.
3. Ask about the replacement or refund terms if the match does not work out.
4. Check the helper's placement-fee repayment, if any, so you know her take-home pay.
5. Confirm the agency's licence in MOM's EA Directory before you pay.

Next steps

Deep dive: Salary & total cost article and the levy concession guide. Then browse all maids (4,925 live), Filipino agencies, or the maid agency directory. Confirm packages in writing with the licensed agency on each biodata.