Maid Agency Fees Singapore 2026 - Full Cost Breakdown

“How much does a maid agency actually cost in Singapore?” It’s the question we get every week on WhatsApp – and the one most agency websites refuse to answer clearly. So we wrote it down. Every line item, every government levy, every fee, with no hidden charges and no jargon.

Hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) in Singapore involves more than one cost – you’re paying an agency, a government body, an insurer, a clinic, and the helper herself. If an agency quotes you “one price” and nothing else, that’s a red flag. Here’s exactly what you should be paying in 2026, and what each fee is actually for.

The short answer – what does it cost in 2026?

For a typical Singapore family hiring a new helper from Indonesia or the Philippines, the total all-in cost for the first 12 months usually lands between S$4,500 and S$6,500. That includes the one-time agency package fee, all government and medical charges, insurance, the helper’s first 12 months of salary, and the monthly MOM levy.

For a transfer maid already in Singapore, the upfront cost drops to roughly S$988 – S$2,000 for the agency package fee alone, because she already has her work permit, medical clearance, and insurance in place.

The range exists because nationality, helper type, and household qualifying factors (young children, elderly parents) move the numbers. Below, every component is broken down – one-time fees first, then ongoing monthly costs.

Part 1 – One-time fees (paid once, at hiring)

1. Agency package fee

This is the fee the agency charges for sourcing, interviewing, processing, and placing your helper. It is the single most variable charge across the Singapore market.

Typical 2026 ranges:

New helper from Indonesia: S$1,588 – S$2,688
New helper from the Philippines: S$2,388 – S$3,288
New helper from Myanmar: S$1,488 – S$2,288
New helper from Manipur or Mizoram (India): S$1,688 – S$2,388
Transfer maid (already in Singapore): S$988 – S$1,988
Ex-Singapore / Ex-Malaysia / Ex-Middle East helper: S$1,888 – S$2,688

What should the agency package fee include? At a minimum: bio-data matching and interview arrangement; all MOM paperwork (work permit application, IPA); medical examination fees; pre-deployment training in the helper’s source country (required by both source-country authorities and MOM); Settling-in Programme (SIP) for first-time helpers; airport pickup; and orientation at your home.

Note on training. Pre-deployment training in the helper’s source country is industry-standard and bundled into most agencies’ package fees. In-house Singapore training – where the helper practises local cooking, infant care, eldercare, and household appliances at the agency’s own training centre before placement – is an additional service that very few SG agencies offer. Unistarr is one of them. This in-Singapore training, plus our 12-month free replacement guarantee, 2-year WhatsApp post-placement support, and free top-up training at Bukit Timah or Katong any time during the employment, are part of what we offer beyond paperwork. Always ask any agency to specify what training is included and where it takes place.

2. Medical examination (pre-deployment + 6-monthly)

Every work permit holder must pass a full medical exam. The first one is before the work permit is issued; thereafter, MOM requires a 6-monthly medical examination (6ME).

Initial medical: S$80 – S$130 (usually included in agency package fee)
Each 6ME: S$60 – S$95 per exam

3. Settling-in Programme (SIP)

Mandatory one-day programme for first-time helpers, run by MOM-appointed providers. Cost: S$75 (fixed by MOM). Usually bundled into the agency package fee – confirm it’s included, not billed separately.

4. Work permit issuance + IPA

Work permit application: S$35
Work permit issuance: S$35 (per permit, valid 2 years)
IPA processing: typically bundled into agency package fee

5. Insurance (medical + personal accident + security bond)

MOM requires every employer to buy mandatory insurance before the helper arrives. Three components:

Medical insurance: minimum S$15,000 hospitalisation + S$60,000 outpatient (required by MOM since 2023). Annual premium: S$260 – S$450.
Personal accident insurance: minimum S$60,000 sum assured. Usually bundled with medical – adds S$30 – S$60 to the premium.
Security bond: S$5,000 bond required by MOM, purchased as an insurance policy. Annual premium: S$60 – S$90.

Total insurance for year one: around S$350 – S$600. Most agencies let you choose the insurer; compare coverage (hospitalisation limit, dental, etc.) rather than picking by price alone.

6. Air ticket

Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar: S$180 – S$320
India (for Manipur/Mizoram helpers): S$320 – S$520

Usually bundled into the agency package fee. Ask specifically.

Part 2 – Monthly costs (every month, for the life of the placement)

7. Salary

Minimum salaries are set by the helper’s home country, not MOM. 2026 minimums most agencies follow:

Indonesian helpers: S$600 – S$680/month
Filipino helpers: S$650 – S$750/month
Myanmar helpers: S$500 – S$580/month
Manipuri / Mizoram helpers: S$550 – S$650/month

Experienced helpers, or helpers with specific skills (infant care, eldercare with medical conditions, cooking) often command S$50 – S$150/month above these baselines. Salary is paid to the helper directly via bank transfer or cash receipt – MOM audits this regularly.

8. FDW levy (paid to MOM)

Concessionary levy: S$60/month – for households with a child under 16, an elderly member aged 67+, or a family member with disabilities. First helper only.
Non-concessionary levy: S$300/month – for households not meeting concessionary criteria.
Second helper: S$450/month regardless of concession.

Worth knowing: the S$300 levy drops to S$60 if you qualify for the Levy Concession – typically available if you have a child under 16, a parent or parent-in-law aged 67+, or a person with disability living with you. Apply via MOM’s MDW levy concession page. Many new employers miss this and overpay for months.

9. Food, accommodation, rest day, transport

Not cash payments to MOM, but real budget items: groceries and toiletries (S$150 – S$250/month incremental), rest day pay if she works on her rest day (~S$25/day for a S$650/month helper), and occasional transport (S$30 – S$60/month). Adequate accommodation (separate room or properly partitioned space) and three meals a day are MOM legal requirements.

Putting it together – a realistic 12-month budget

For a typical family with a young child (concessionary levy) and a new Indonesian helper on S$650/month:

Cost item	Amount (SGD)
Agency package fee (Indonesian new)	S$2,288
Medical exam + SIP + WP issuance (if not bundled)	S$150
Mandatory insurance (year 1)	S$420
Air ticket	bundled
Salary x 12 months (S$650)	S$7,800
Concessionary FDW levy x 12 (S$60)	S$720
6-monthly medical x 2	S$150
Rest day pay (2/month average)	S$600
Groceries, toiletries, transport (incremental)	S$2,160
Total year-one cost	~S$14,300
Of which: one-time hiring costs	~S$2,858
Of which: ongoing monthly costs	~S$11,430

If you subtract salary and groceries (which scale with any household), the net agency-related cost for year one is approximately S$4,300 – S$5,000.

Part 3 – Hidden fees to watch out for

The charges that turn a quoted “S$2,200” into a S$3,800 bill by week 1. Ask every agency you speak to whether each of the following is included or extra:

“Administrative” or “documentation” top-up fees

Some agencies quote a low package fee, then add “documentation,” “courier,” or “admin” charges separately. Always ask for a single all-inclusive quote in writing. If the agency can’t provide one, walk away.

Replacement charges after the first year

If your helper leaves after 12 months and you want a replacement, some agencies charge another near-full agency package fee. At Unistarr, the 12-month free replacement guarantee covers genuine mismatches in year one; after that, we charge a reduced renewal fee that reflects what’s already paid.

“Training” fees billed separately after placement

Once your helper is placed, you should not be billed separately for follow-up training. At Unistarr, free top-up training at Bukit Timah or Katong is included for two years.

Transfer maid “processing” fees on top of the package

Some agencies charge separately to “process” the transfer in addition to the package fee. A fair quote wraps both into one number.

Replacement guarantee with hidden exclusions

Some agencies advertise “free replacement” but only honour it under narrow conditions, or recover insurance and air-ticket costs from you. Read the contract before signing – ask what counts as a valid replacement case.

Part 4 – How to compare agencies in 2026

A simple checklist you can WhatsApp or email any agency. If they answer all five without hedging, you’re dealing with a transparent operator:

What is your single all-inclusive quote for an Indonesian (or Filipino, or Myanmar) helper – including agency package fee, medical, SIP, WP issuance, insurance for year one, air ticket, and any other charges you bill separately?
Do you provide a 12-month replacement guarantee? What exactly counts as a valid replacement case?
What post-placement support do you provide? For how long? Is there a fee?
Do you run your own training centre in Singapore, or outsource training?
Are you MOM-licensed? Please send your EA licence number so I can verify on the MOM EA Directory.

Verify any agency’s licence at www.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory. Licence numbers look like “15C7448”.

Why we’re transparent about fees

Singapore’s maid agency industry has a reputation for opacity. Families tell us regularly that they spoke to three agencies and received three wildly different quote ranges – which makes choosing feel like gambling.

We’ve been licensed since 2015. Two branches. In-house Singapore training centre. 12-month guarantee. 2-year WhatsApp support after placement. Recognised by the Indonesian Embassy. Over ten years, our transfer rate has stayed close to zero – because families who start with clear expectations stay with their helpers. Clear fees are part of that.

Frequently asked questions

1. Are maid agency fees negotiable in Singapore?

Generally no. Reputable agencies have set package rates by helper type and nationality, and the rate quoted is the rate. The exception is seasonal promotions (Hari Raya, Lunar New Year, year-end), which agencies will share if active. Government fees (SIP, medical, WP issuance, MOM levy) are always fixed by MOM. Ask the agency for their current promotion if any – but don’t expect ad-hoc discounts on the standard rate.

2. What’s the cheapest type of helper to hire?

In 2026, transfer maids (helpers already working in Singapore who wish to switch employers) are typically the lowest total cost – you skip the air ticket, SIP, and some training expenses. They also arrive with proven Singapore experience. If cost is the priority, start here. We cover this in our Transfer Maid Singapore guide.

3. Is helper training included in the agency package fee?

It depends on the agency and the type of training. Pre-deployment training in the helper’s source country (required by both source-country authorities and MOM before she can be issued a work permit) is industry-standard and bundled into the package fee. In-house Singapore training – where helpers practise local cooking, infant and eldercare, and household appliances at the agency’s own training centre – is an additional service and only some agencies offer it. Unistarr’s Singapore training centre is one of these. Always ask any agency to specify what training is included, where it takes place, and whether top-up training during the employment is offered.

4. Can I claim maid agency fees on tax?

Not directly. Some employers of elderly parents may qualify for the Grandparent Caregiver Relief or Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief under IRAS – both are separate from agency fees. Consult IRAS or a tax adviser for your specific situation.

5. How long does the hiring process take?

After we’ve matched you to 2-3 bio-datas and you’ve interviewed via WhatsApp video, the timeline from signed contract to helper arriving is roughly: transfer maid 1-2 weeks; new Indonesian helper 4-6 weeks; new Filipino helper 6-10 weeks; new Myanmar helper 6-8 weeks. Timing depends on MOM processing, embassy clearance, and any re-medicals required.

6. Do I need extra insurance on top of the MOM minimum?

Not mandatory – but many employers upgrade medical coverage to protect against larger hospital bills. Expect S$50 – S$150 additional premium per year for enhanced plans.

Want line-item pricing for your exact helper?

WhatsApp us with the helper type and country you’re considering.
We’ll reply with full line-item pricing the same day – no hard sell, no follow-up spam.
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All 2026 figures in this article are based on placements made at Unistarr Employment between January and April 2026, MOM published fee schedules effective 2026, and insurance premiums quoted by major Singapore insurers (AIA, Income, Liberty) as of April 2026.
Figures are indicative; your specific quote will depend on helper selection, nationality, household qualification, and insurer chosen.

Bukit Timah Branch
+65 9723 4920

Katong Branch
+65 9647 4781

Maid Agency Fees Singapore 2026 – Full Cost Breakdown