How Much Does It Really Cost to Hire a Maid in Singapore in 2027?

The cost of hiring a domestic helper in Singapore has several components. Families who only ask about the agency fee are often surprised by the full picture once the levy, salary, insurance, and small everyday expenses start to add up.

This guide walks through each category in the order you will meet it: what you pay once, what you pay every month, what comes back each year, and the costs that rarely make it into a first budget.

One-time costs

These are the costs you pay at the start, before or just as your helper begins work.

• Agency fee. This varies by type of placement. A fresh helper, a transfer helper, and a specialist placement are priced differently.
• MOM work permit application fee. A government fee charged when the work permit is applied for.
• Pre-employment medical check. A mandatory health check required by MOM before the permit is issued.
• Settling-In Programme. A one-day orientation for first-time helpers in Singapore. The fee is $75, paid by the employer.
• Airfare for fresh helpers. Applies to helpers travelling in from overseas. It is not applicable for transfers, who are already in Singapore.
• 26-month insurance. Required coverage for the helper. This is included with AJS placements.

Transfer helpers generally have a lower upfront cost because the airfare and the Settling-In Programme do not apply.

Ongoing monthly costs

Once your helper has started, three costs repeat every month for the length of the contract.

• The standard levy is $300 a month. The concessionary rate of $60 applies if your household includes a child under 16, an elderly family member, or a person with a disability, subject to MOM criteria.
• Salary is agreed between you and your helper and varies with nationality and experience.
• You are responsible for your helper's food, either by providing meals or giving a food allowance.

Annual costs to remember

Some costs only appear once a year or once every few years, which makes them easy to forget.

• Insurance renewal. After the 26-month initial period, you will need to renew the required insurance coverage.
• Work permit renewal. The permit is renewed every 2 years. This involves the MOM renewal fee plus a new medical check.
• Medical examinations. Helpers must go for periodic medical examinations during the employment period.

Setting aside a small amount each month for these renewals avoids a large, unexpected bill later.

Hidden costs people forget

These are not large, but they accumulate over a two-year contract. Include them in your budget from the start.

• Toiletries and personal items for the helper, such as soap, shampoo, and sanitary products.
• A SIM card or phone plan, if you do not already provide one. Staying in touch with family is important for her wellbeing.
• Extra groceries and utilities for an additional household member.
• Bedding, a fan or mattress, and basic furnishings for her room.
• Occasional medical visits for minor illnesses, which are the employer's responsibility.

The cost of a bad placement

This is the cost most families do not plan for. If your helper does not work out and you used an agency without a replacement guarantee, you may pay the full placement fees again, along with a fresh round of medical checks, permits, and often airfare.

There is also the less visible cost of weeks without help, disrupted routines, and the stress of starting over. This is why the replacement guarantee is not a minor detail. With the AJS 12-month guarantee, that risk is removed: if your helper is replaced within 12 months, you do not pay another agency fee.

Total first-year estimate

MOM regulations prevent agencies from advertising fees online, so we cannot publish a single headline number. What we can give you is the structure, so you can build your own estimate.

For a personalised figure based on your household, contact us or see our pricing page.

Common questions about helper costs