You do not need young children to hire a helper. MOM's core employer requirements are that you are 21 or older, not an undischarged bankrupt, and have the mental capacity to carry out your duties as an employer. MOM also considers care-giving needs, with young children and elderly family members given as examples, and your financial ability to support a helper. Without a child or elderly person at home, you usually pay the normal levy of $300 a month rather than the $60 concession.
What MOM assesses
- Age 21 and above.
- Not an undischarged bankrupt.
- Mental capacity to understand and discharge your responsibilities.
- Care-giving needs, such as young children or elderly family members.
- Financial ability to hire, maintain and house the helper in acceptable accommodation.
Source: Employer requirements for hiring an MDW.
Income: your options without children
- Married couples can combine incomes in the application.
- Joint Income Scheme: a Singapore citizen or PR can combine income with one family member, not a spouse, who lives at the same address and earns less.
- Sponsorship Scheme: a citizen or PR aged 60 or above, not earning and not living with working adults, can apply on the income of up to 2 sponsors: children, grandchildren or siblings, or their spouses.
Source: Apply under a special scheme.
Levy without young children
The concessionary $60 levy needs an eligible person in the household: a Singapore citizen child under 16, a citizen aged 67 or above (some PRs qualify), or a person with disabilities who meets MOM's criteria. Otherwise the levy is $300 a month for the first helper and $450 for each subsequent one. Sources: Levy concession and Paying levy.
Other things that still apply
- First-time employers attend the Employers' Orientation Programme at least 2 working days before applying.
- The helper must work at your NRIC-registered address and only do domestic chores for your household.
Related guides
- Work Permit application: employer checklist
- Foreign worker levy for domestic helpers
- Employer age requirements and proxy arrangements
This is a practical guide, not MOM. Rules and fees change, so confirm the current position on mom.gov.sg before you act. Last reviewed: 11 October 2026.
