Quick price summary: Maid Agencies in Singapore (2026)
- Low end: SGD $800 – $1,200 (agency fee only, transfer helpers, minimal support)
- Mid-range: SGD $1,500 – $2,500 (new helper placement, standard documentation, basic aftercare)
- High end / enterprise: SGD $2,800 – $4,500+ (premium placement, full documentation, replacement guarantees, concierge support)
Prices in Singapore Dollars (SGD). Last updated 2026.
Hiring a domestic helper in Singapore involves more than a single agency fee. Employers deal with a combination of one-off upfront costs and recurring monthly expenses, and the total first-year cost of hiring a maid in Singapore typically ranges from SGD $6,000 to over SGD $10,000 when all components are added up. These figures cover agency fees, the security bond, insurance, work permit applications, and the helper’s monthly salary and levy.
Costs vary significantly depending on the helper’s country of origin, whether you are hiring a new or transfer helper, the agency’s service tier, and the level of post-placement support included. A Filipino helper generally commands a higher salary than an Indonesian helper, while a transfer helper (one already working in Singapore) usually attracts a lower placement fee than someone recruited from their home country. Understanding each cost component separately is the most reliable way to budget accurately before you commit.
What Do Maid Agencies Cost in Singapore?
The agency fee itself, which is the fee paid to the maid agency for finding and placing a helper, generally falls between SGD $1,000 and $3,000 for standard placements in 2026. Transfer placements (where the helper is already in Singapore and switching employers) tend to sit at the lower end of this range, around $800 to $1,500. New placements sourced from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, or Sri Lanka typically cost more, often between $1,500 and $2,800, because they involve recruitment coordination with overseas agencies. Premium agencies that offer extended replacement guarantees of six to twelve months, dedicated account managers, and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) documentation handling charge from $2,800 upward.
Beyond the placement fee, employers must budget for several mandatory and near-mandatory costs. The MOM security bond is SGD $5,000 (waived for Malaysian helpers). Maid insurance with a minimum SGD $60,000 hospitalisation and surgical coverage costs roughly SGD $300 to $500 per year depending on the insurer and plan. The work permit application or renewal fee is SGD $35 per application. The Settling-In Programme (SIP), compulsory for first-time helpers from certain countries, costs SGD $75. Monthly, employers pay the helper’s salary (typically SGD $550 to $700 for Indonesian helpers, SGD $600 to $800 for Filipino helpers) plus the foreign domestic worker levy of SGD $300 per month (or SGD $76.50 per month if a concessionary rate applies for households with young children or elderly members).
Price Breakdown by Service Level
| Service Level | What You Get | Typical Price Range (Agency Fee) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic / Transfer | Matching with an existing Singapore-based helper, minimal paperwork support, short or no replacement period | SGD $800 – $1,200 | Experienced employers who are comfortable handling MOM documentation independently |
| Standard | New helper recruitment, work permit application, SIP registration, one to three month replacement guarantee | SGD $1,500 – $2,000 | First-time employers hiring from the Philippines, Indonesia, or Myanmar |
| Premium | Curated shortlisting, full MOM documentation, insurance coordination, six to twelve month free replacement, post-placement check-ins | SGD $2,200 – $3,500 | Households with young children, elderly members, or specific skill requirements such as infant care or elder care |
| Concierge / Enterprise | Dedicated consultant, priority matching, ongoing HR support, multi-helper coordination for larger households, unlimited replacement within contract period | SGD $3,500 – $4,500+ | Dual-income households, expatriate families, or employers who want fully managed end-to-end service |
What Affects the Cost of Maid Agencies in Singapore?
Country of Origin
The helper’s nationality affects both the agency fee and ongoing salary. Filipino helpers are typically paid SGD $600 to $800 per month, reflecting higher regulated minimum wages set by the Philippine government. Indonesian helpers are generally paid SGD $550 to $700. Recruitment from countries further afield, such as Myanmar or Sri Lanka, can involve higher overseas coordination costs built into the placement fee.
New Hire Versus Transfer
A transfer helper is already in Singapore and legally permitted to switch employers. This eliminates overseas recruitment costs, reduces processing time to two to four weeks, and usually results in a lower agency fee. A new helper recruited from their home country involves flights, overseas agency coordination, medical checks, and a longer lead time of four to ten weeks, all of which increase the total cost.
Replacement Guarantee Terms
Agencies that offer free replacement guarantees of six to twelve months charge more upfront because they absorb the risk if a placement does not work out. A no-replacement or short (one month) replacement agency may quote a lower fee, but if the placement fails, you will pay full fees again for a second placement. Over a twelve-month period, the premium agency option often works out cheaper for first-time employers.
Documentation and MOM Compliance Support
Some agencies charge separately for work permit applications, SIP registration, and insurance coordination. Others bundle these into a single placement fee. Always confirm what is and is not included before signing. Unbundled agencies may advertise a low headline fee that rises considerably once add-ons are included.
Experience and Specialisation
Agencies that specialise in matching helpers with specific household needs, such as infant care, elderly care, or pet-friendly households, often charge a premium for the more targeted shortlisting process. This can be worth the extra cost if your household has specific requirements, since a poor match tends to result in early termination and repeat placement fees.
How to Get Accurate Quotes
- Contact at least three MOM-licensed agencies. All licensed agencies are listed on the MOM website. Request an itemised written quote that separates the placement fee, insurance, work permit fees, SIP costs, and any other charges. This makes genuine comparison possible.
- Specify your household profile clearly upfront. Tell each agency how many people are in the household, whether you have young children or elderly dependants, what tasks the helper will perform, and any language or experience preferences. Agencies that skip these questions and quote immediately without asking are unlikely to find a well-matched candidate.
- Ask specifically about the replacement guarantee. Get the terms in writing: how long the guarantee lasts, what triggers it, whether it covers salary-related disputes, and whether there are any conditions that void it.
- Confirm the total first-year cost in writing. Ask the agency to provide an estimate that includes agency fees, security bond, insurance, work permit application, SIP, and a twelve-month projection of salary plus levy. This gives you an honest picture of what you will spend in year one.
- Check MOM’s Employment Agency Directory before paying any deposit. Confirm the agency holds a valid licence and check whether any complaints have been recorded. Paying a deposit to an unlicensed operator offers no legal recourse under Singapore employment regulations.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- An agency quotes a placement fee below SGD $600 with no explanation. This often means the helper has been charged excessive placement fees on their end, which is a known exploitation risk and a breach of MOM regulations.
- The agency cannot provide a valid MOM licence number on request. Operating without a licence is illegal, and you will have no protection if the placement fails.
- The agency charges for a “guaranteed shortlist” or “priority matching” as a non-refundable upfront fee before showing you any candidates. Reputable agencies do not charge pre-selection fees of this kind.
- Replacement guarantees are verbal rather than written. If it is not in the contract, it does not exist legally.
- The agency pushes a single candidate without offering alternatives or asks you to commit before you have reviewed a biodata. A credible agency will shortlist multiple candidates based on your household requirements.
- The total quoted cost does not mention the security bond, levy, or insurance. If an agency presents a figure that seems unusually low, check whether mandatory costs have simply been left out of the quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do maid agencies cost in Singapore on average?
The agency fee alone averages SGD $1,500 to $2,500 for a standard new helper placement in 2026. Add the MOM security bond (SGD $5,000), maid insurance (SGD $300 to $500 per year), work permit application (SGD $35), and the Settling-In Programme (SGD $75), and first-year total costs typically fall between SGD $6,500 and $9,000 once monthly salary and levy are included. Households eligible for the concessionary levy rate of SGD $76.50 per month will sit at the lower end of that range.
Why are some maid agencies prices so much cheaper?
Lower-priced agencies usually offset their fee by charging the helper higher placement fees on the other end, offering no replacement guarantee, or providing minimal support after placement. Some cut costs by working with unvetted overseas recruitment partners, which increases the risk of mismatched placements or helpers who arrive without the skills or experience listed in their biodata. A low agency fee is not a saving if it results in an early termination and a second full placement fee.
Is it worth paying more for maid agencies in Singapore?
For most households, paying mid-range to premium fees is worth it, particularly for first-time employers or those with specific care needs. Agencies in the SGD $2,000 to $3,500 range typically offer better-vetted candidates, longer replacement guarantees, and proper MOM documentation handling. Given that the total cost of a failed placement can exceed SGD $3,000 in repeat fees and lost time, spending more upfront on a reputable agency with strong aftercare tends to produce a better outcome over a twelve-month period.
Choosing a maid agency in Singapore is a financial and practical decision that affects daily household life for at least two years. Getting itemised quotes from multiple MOM-licensed agencies, understanding every mandatory cost from the levy to the security bond, and reading the replacement guarantee terms carefully will put you in a much stronger position than comparing headline fees alone. The right agency earns its fee by finding a well-matched helper and supporting both employer and helper through the adjustment period, which makes the placement more likely to last and less likely to cost you a second round of fees.
For a curated list of top-rated providers, see our guide: Best Maid Agencies in Singapore (2026).
