A live-in helper in Singapore costs most families between about $540 and $1,000 a month, before food and daily needs. That is her salary ($480 to $700) plus the government levy ($300, or $60 with the concession). On top of that there are one-off costs at the start: the agency’s fee, MOM’s fees, insurance, her medical check and, for a helper from overseas, her travel.
The figures below are for 2026. Government figures come from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
What you pay every month
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $480–$700 | Agreed between you and her. Fresh helpers are at the lower end, experienced helpers at the higher end. |
| Levy | $300 | $450 for each additional helper. |
| Levy with concession | $60 | If you live with a Singapore citizen child below 16, an elderly person aged 67 or above, or a person with disabilities. |
| Rest days she works | At least one day’s salary each | Only if she agrees to work. One rest day a month must actually be taken. |
| Food and daily needs | Varies | Three meals a day, toiletries, and usually a mobile plan. |
Two examples. A fresh helper from Indonesia at $550 a month, in a home with a young child: $550 + $60 = $610 a month. An experienced helper at $680 with no concession: $680 + $300 = $980 a month.
What you pay once, at the start
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agency fee | Depends on the agency and the package | Ask what it includes. Ours is shown in the app before you commit. |
| MOM Work Permit fees | $35 to apply, $35 when it is issued | Paid to MOM. |
| Insurance and security bond | A premium for the whole contract | Medical cover of at least $60,000 a year, personal accident cover of at least $60,000, and the $5,000 bond as a guarantee. You do not pay $5,000 in cash. |
| Medical check on arrival | Set by the clinic | Within 2 weeks of arriving. |
| Settling-In Programme | About $76–$93 | Only for a helper new to Singapore. |
| Employers’ Orientation Programme | About $30 online | Only for first-time employers. |
| Air ticket and transport | Varies | For a helper coming from overseas. |
The helper loan is not an extra cost
Most helpers cannot pay their own costs of coming to work here. The employer advances several months of her salary, and recovers it from her monthly pay. You pay it at the start, but it replaces the salary you would otherwise pay in those months. During the loan period you pay her only for the rest days she works.
What matters is what happens if she leaves early: ask how the part she has not yet worked off is handled, and get the answer in writing.
Costs that come later
- Six-monthly medical examination, paid by the employer.
- Medical bills. You are responsible for her medical care. The insurance covers hospital stays and day surgery up to at least $60,000 a year: the insurer pays the first $15,000 in full, then 75% of the rest while you pay 25%. You can choose a plan with a higher limit. Clinic visits are usually yours to pay.
- Renewal every two years: the Work Permit, the insurance and the bond.
- Her ticket home when the contract ends.
What you can no longer claim
The Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief ended with the Year of Assessment 2024. From YA 2025 the levy cannot be deducted from your income tax.
How to keep the cost down, sensibly
- Check the levy concession first. It is the largest saving: $240 a month.
- Compare what packages include, not only the headline price. A lower fee without insurance or without replacement support can cost more in the end.
- Choose the right helper the first time. A replacement costs application fees, a new insurance policy and weeks of your time. A proper interview is the cheapest thing you can do.
See what our packages include, read the FAQ on government costs, or ask us for the figure for your own situation.