The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Domestic Helper in Singapore: Full-Time vs. Part-Time Costs and Services
Updated: 22 Jul 2026
Written byAfina Najib
Senior Content Editor - Singapore
⚡ Quick Answer
| Card | Employer's liability | Six-monthly medical examination (pregnancy and syphilis tests only) | Monthly Installments | Claim Excess |
|---|---|---|---|---|
- | Up to4 times for a 26-moths policy | - | - | |
| MSIG MaidPlus - Classic Plan | - | - | - | - |
| GREAT Maid Protect - Gold Plan | - | - | - | - |
🤓 SingSaver's Tips:MOM's minimum coverage is S$60,000 for both medical and personal accident — the real differences between plans lie in the Employer's Liability rider and how claims are processed.
Decision Guide
Managing a household in Singapore is a balancing act. Between demanding work schedules and family commitments, chores and caregiving duties can become overwhelming. When seeking external help, the choice typically narrows down to two main options: hiring a live-in Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) or engaging part-time domestic helper services.
This consolidated guide breaks down the legalities, services, upfront fees, and ongoing monthly costs for both full-time and part-time helpers, updated with the latest benchmarks for July 2026.
Part 1: Full-Time Live-In Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs)
A live-in helper is best suited for households that require round-the-clock assistance, particularly for infant care, eldercare, or continuous housekeeping. However, hiring a full-time MDW involves significant upfront capital, administrative compliance, and ongoing financial responsibilities.
1. One-Time Upfront Costs
Expect to pay between S$1,500 and S$4,500+ upfront before your helper even steps into your home. This depends heavily on whether you use a traditional agency, a digital hybrid platform, or go down the direct-hire route.
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Maid Agency Service Fees (S$1,000 – S$3,000+): Covers recruitment, vetting, matching, and administrative paperwork. Premium agencies focusing on specialised care or direct placement models lean toward the higher end of this spectrum. Bypassing an agency via Direct Hiring can reduce this cost to roughly S$400–S$1,300, but you must self-manage all Ministry of Manpower (MOM) compliance steps.
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MOM Work Permit Fees (S$70): Divided into S$35 for the application and S$35 for the issuance.
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Settling-In Programme (SIP) (S$75): A mandatory orientation course for all first-time MDWs entering Singapore.
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Initial Medical Examination (S$50 – S$150): A mandatory health screening conducted within 14 days of arrival.
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Airfare / Inbound Flight (S$200 – S$500): If hiring a fresh helper from overseas, the employer must cover her flight to Singapore. Tip: Transfer helpers already residing in Singapore skip this fee, though their agency transfer fees are often higher.
2. Ongoing & Recurring Costs
Once your helper arrives, you must budget for fixed and variable monthly expenses:
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Monthly Salary (S$500 – S$900+): Salaries are determined by country of origin, English proficiency, and specialized experience (e.g., caregiving).
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Myanmar: S$500 – S$580
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Indonesia: S$550 – S$650
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The Philippines: ~S$650 (US$500 market standard)
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Experienced Helpers (5+ years): S$700 to S$900+
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MOM Migrant Domestic Worker Levy: A monthly tax imposed by the government to regulate the local workforce:
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Standard Rate (1st Helper): S$300/month
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Subsequent Helpers: S$450/month
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Concessionary Rate: S$60/month (Available if you live with a child under 16, an elderly person aged 67+, or a person with disabilities).
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Living Expenses & 6ME (S$300 – S$400/month): You are legally obligated to provide adequate food and medical care. This includes factoring in a rise in utility bills, groceries, toiletries, and the 6-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME) clinic visits (approx. S$40–S$150/year).
3. Deep Dive: Mandatory Maid Insurance & Options for Singaporeans
In Singapore, you cannot buy insurance for your helper as an afterthought—MOM mandates that employers purchase a valid medical and personal accident insurance policy before the Work Permit can be issued. #### MOM Minimum Requirements:
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Personal Accident Insurance: A minimum coverage of S$60,000 per year to provide compensation for the helper or her family in the event of permanent disability or death.
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Medical / Hospitalisation Insurance: A minimum coverage of S$60,000 per year for inpatient care and day surgery.
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The Co-payment Rule: Under MOM framework rules, insurers cover 100% of claims up to the first S$15,000. For any bills exceeding S$15,000, employers are responsible for a 25% co-payment up to the policy limit.
S$5,000 MOM Security Bond
MOM requires a S$5,000 security bond for every non-Malaysian helper. Fortunately, Singaporeans do not need to cash out S$5,000 upfront. Instead, you purchase a security bond guarantee from your insurance provider (usually costing an additional S$50 to S$80 as an add-on to your main policy), and the insurer handles the guarantee on your behalf.
Before You Compare
01
Employer's Liability coverage
Check if the plan covers your mandatory 25% co-payment on medical bills above S$15,000.
02
Policy duration
Confirm whether the plan is a 14-month or 26-month package matching your helper's work permit.
03
Security bond waiver add-on
Decide if you want the counter-indemnity waiver to protect against bond forfeiture.
04
Replacement helper benefit
Check if the plan covers costs if your helper needs to be repatriated due to illness.
Popular Insurance Plans & Add-ons in Singapore:
| Maid Insurance Plan | Key Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FWD Maid Insurance (Enhanced Plan) | Digital-first claims + Employer's Liability rider included | Employers wanting a hassle-free, fully digital claims process |
| MSIG MaidPlus (Premier Plan) | Outpatient, TCM, and replacement helper coverage | Employers wanting the most comprehensive benefit set |
| Great Eastern (GREAT Maid Protect - Gold Plan) | Balanced coverage from a trusted local insurer | Employers wanting a mid-tier plan with room to scale down to Silver |
| Income (Enhanced Plan) | Strong hospitalisation limits + repatriation cost coverage | Employers prioritising a higher hospitalisation ceiling |
| HL Assurance (Enhanced Plan) | Competitive pricing with enhanced benefits over its Basic tier | Employers wanting good value without going fully premium |
- FWD Maid Insurance (Enhanced Plan): Highly popular for its digital-first, hassle-free claims process. This tier includes an "Employer's Liability" rider that covers the mandatory 25% co-payment for medical bills exceeding S$15,000, plus add-ons for outpatient medical expenses.
- MSIG MaidPlus (Premier Plan / Classic Plan): Known for comprehensive coverage that includes outpatient treatments for the helper due to accidents, alternative medicine (TCM) treatments, and replacement helper expenses if your current helper has to be sent home due to illness. The Classic Plan offers a leaner, more affordable alternative if you don't need every Premier-tier benefit.
- Great Eastern (GREAT Maid Protect - Gold Plan / Silver Plan): The Gold Plan offers a well-rounded step up in benefits from the entry-level Silver Plan, which provides highly competitive pricing if you simply want to meet MOM guidelines efficiently while relying on a trusted local insurer.
- Income (Enhanced Plan): A staple choice for Singaporeans. Offers strong hospitalisation coverage and solid coverage for helper repatriation costs if she falls critically ill — a good option if you want higher limits than the MOM minimum without stepping up to the priciest tier on the market.
- HL Assurance (Basic Plan / Enhanced Plan): The Basic Plan is a straightforward, budget-friendly way to meet MOM's minimum requirements, while the Enhanced Plan adds meaningfully to your coverage limits and benefits for a modest premium increase — a solid middle-ground option.
Recommended Add-on: Waiver of Counter-Indemnity. For a small nominal fee (approx. S$50), this add-on protects you from having to pay the insurance company the S$5,000 security bond amount if the bond is breached/forfeited due to your helper's actions (so long as you weren't complicit in the breach).
Part 2: Part-Time Domestic Helpers & Cleaning Services
If a live-in helper feels like too much of a financial or lifestyle commitment, or you value your household's absolute privacy, part-time services are a flexible, cost-effective alternative.
1. The Legal Framework: Household Services Scheme (HSS)
In Singapore, you cannot legally hire a foreign domestic worker on a freelance or ad-hoc basis if she is bound to another employer. To address this safely, look to companies under the Household Services Scheme (HSS). These firms are officially permitted by MOM to hire migrant workers to provide part-time domestic services (cleaning, grocery shopping, car-washing, and basic child/elderly care) across multiple households.
Alternatively, your part-time helper must be a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident (PR), or a valid Dependant's Pass holder permitted to work.
2. Services Rendered
Part-time helpers typically focus on core domestic chores during a 3-to-4-hour session:
- Vacuuming and mopping floors
- Cleaning bathrooms, toilets, and kitchen countertops
- Emptying trash and dusting appliances
- Ironing and laundry (often requires a recurring arrangement or extra time)
- Note: Deep cleaning (moving in/out, spring cleaning) or specialised cooking usually commands a premium ad-hoc hourly rate.
3. Cost Breakdown of Part-Time Helpers
When hiring through popular digital booking apps and platforms (e.g., Helpling, HelperGo, Domestic One), rates are highly transparent:
- Hourly Rates: Expect to pay S$20 to S$35 per hour, depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.
- Ad-Hoc / One-Time Cleaning: S$25 to S$45+ per hour (often carries a 3-to-4-hour minimum session cap).
- Recurring Monthly Packages: If you sign up for weekly or fortnightly cleaning, companies bundle these into cost-saving subscriptions ranging from S$230 to S$500 per month (for one 4-hour session per week).
The Major Financial Benefit: With part-time help, you pay only for the hours worked. There are zero upfront agency packages, no security bonds, no medical insurance obligations, no government levies, and no need to provide food or accommodation.
Summary Comparison: Which is Right for You?
| Feature / Cost | Full-Time Live-In MDW | Part-Time Helper / HSS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | S$1,500 – S$4,500+ | S$0 |
| Monthly Commitment | S$900 – S$1,500+ (Salary + Levy + Food) | S$230 – S$500 (Based on weekly sessions) |
| Insurance Requirements | Mandatory (Min. S$60k medical + S$60k PA) | None (Borne by the HSS company) |
| Privacy Impact | High (Lives in your home) | Minimal (Present only during booking hours) |
| Primary Scope | 24/7 cooking, deep cleaning, infant/elderly care | Scheduled light housekeeping, vacuuming, ironing |
| Regulatory Burden | High (MOM Work Permits, Levies, Insurance, 6MEs) | None (Handled entirely by the service provider) |
Final Verdict
- Choose a Full-Time MDW if your lifestyle demands a dedicated, round-the-clock caregiver for a newborn or an elderly parent, and your household has the physical space and budget to comfortably accommodate an additional resident.
- Choose a Part-Time Helper if you are a single professional or a young couple living in a smaller apartment who simply wants to outsource weekly chores. It keeps your home private, removes regulatory red tape, and limits your financial liability strictly to the hours you choose.
About the author
Afina Najib
Spending most of her young writer's phase working as a freelancer, Afina's written for various industries ranging from e-commerce, travel to health and finance. Her expertise lies in her ability to make complex subjects like finance easy to consume for everyday readers.