Hiring a helper is becoming more common in SG, especially as families juggle long working hours, childcare, and caring for elderly parents. If you’re thinking about bringing a helper onboard in 2026, this guide explains everything in simple words so that any Singapore household whether first-time employer or not can feel confident about the process.
Why 2026 Is an Important Year for Hiring a Helper
Singapore’s demand for domestic helpers continues to rise. According to Singapore’s Population in Brief 2024 (population.gov.sg), the non-resident population which includes foreign domestic workers grew 2.7% in 2024, reaching 1.91 million. That rise is linked to stronger hiring needs from families and a recovering labour market.
A separate report by H.O.M.E (Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics) published in November 2024 shows that the number of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) reached around 294,800, the highest in five years. This means more families are hiring and competition for experienced helpers may increase in 2026.
When more families hire at the same time, good helpers get selected quickly. That’s why planning early for 2026 is smart.
Before choosing a maid, take a moment to go through the points I’ve explained below. Once you understand these properly, it becomes much easier to select the right helper with confidence.
Understanding the Real Costs of Hiring a Helper
Many families underestimate the true cost of hiring a maid. Salary is only one part of the spending. Before you hire, make sure you understand all the mandatory expenses.
1. Monthly Levy (as required by MOM)
The levy is what employers pay the government every month.
- Standard levy: S$300 per month for the first helper, S$450 for an additional helper. (Source: Ministry of Manpower, updated 2025)
- Concessionary levy: S$60 per month if you live with:
- a child below 16
- an elderly person aged 67+
- a family member with disabilities
2. Insurance (Mandatory from 2025)
From July 2025, helpers must be covered under a plan that includes:
- Medical insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Enhanced coverage limits
MOM raised minimum medical coverage to S$60,000 per year, following updates in 2024 to protect both helpers and employers.
3. Living Costs in the Household
According to Income Insurance Singapore (2024 study), families typically spend:
- S$200–S$300 per month on food
- Additional costs like transport, toiletries, and phone credit
These numbers help you plan a realistic budget.
How to Choose the Right Helper for Your Family
Before you shortlist any helper, take a moment to clearly identify what your household actually needs. This step alone helps many families avoid hiring the wrong match.
Ask yourself the following questions before shortlisting any helper:
- Do you need support mainly for childcare, elderly care, or general housekeeping?
Each category requires different skills. Childcare needs patience and routine management, while elderly care may require strength and basic caregiving knowledge. - Which languages are important for smooth communication at home: English, Mandarin, or Malay?
Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and makes daily routines easier for both the family and the helper. - Does your home require someone with prior experience in Singapore?
Helpers who have worked in SG before already understand local routines, food, appliances, and expectations, which reduces training time.
Many families also choose based on skill strengths:
- Childcare:
Families often prefer Filipina helpers, as they generally communicate well in English and are comfortable managing children’s routines. - Elderly care:
Families commonly prefer Indonesian or Myanmar helpers, especially those with caregiving training or prior experience supporting seniors.
By matching your household needs with the helper’s strengths, you increase the chances of finding someone who can integrate smoothly and support your family effectively.
In addition, choosing the right agency matters. MOM strongly recommends working only with licensed maid agencies to avoid legal and financial risks. A licensed agency will handle paperwork, interviews, replacements, and training support when needed.
If you’re curious how agencies keep their helper profiles updated, you can read our other post here: How SearchMaid’s Mass Upload Tool Is Making Life Easier For Maid Agencies
How Platforms Make the Search Easier
Searching and comparing helpers on your own takes a lot of time. This is where platforms help. For example, when families look up for a maid, they often use trusted platforms that list licensed agencies and verified maid profiles.
In the middle of your hiring journey, it helps to browse verified maid profiles where you can compare experience, employment history, nationality, skills, and agency details all in one place. This helps families pick the right candidate without jumping between multiple agencies.
Such platforms allow you to filter by:
- Age
- Nationality
- Language
- Job experience
- Transfer or fresh helper
- Skills like cooking, childcare, elderly support
This saves time and gives you more confidence while shortlisting candidates.
Step-by-Step Hiring Process for 2026
Hiring a helper is not difficult, but the steps must be followed correctly. Below is the clear process, written in simple words.
1. Understand Your Needs
List the daily tasks your helper will manage like cooking, cleaning, childcare, or elder support. Understanding this helps you choose someone who already has the needed skills.
2. Shortlist Helper Profiles
Use filters to narrow down options. Many SG families prefer looking at age, nationality, expected salary, and whether the helper has worked in Singapore before.
3. Interview the Helper
You can interview through video call or in person. Here are some good questions to begin with - but do not limit to these I am just giving few ideas here :
- What duties they handled before
- Whether they are comfortable with pets
- How they handle young children or elderly
- Cooking skills and favourite dishes
- Their preferred off-day schedule
Good interviewing habits help you hire the right maid but offcourse it cannot guarantee
4. Understand All Fees Clearly
Maid agencies fees might different that is mostly based on multiple factors. I am to place another full article on the maid agencies fees but here I want to just mention a few generic types of maid agency fees.
- Their service fee
- Training costs
- Replacement policies
- Extra charges for paperwork
5. Apply for the Work Permit
Once you choose a helper, the agency will help apply for the work permit, insurance, security bond, and medical tests.
6. Prepare for Arrival & Onboarding
Here is a small list of preparing the onboarding and arrival of a maid - I have been writing about the maid agencies for the last 4 years but this is the most important aspect of building a great connection with your maid. The last one is my personal favorite.
- Explain house rules
- Walk through daily routines
- Show how appliances work
- Give time for adjustment
- Build trust slowly
A comfortable and respectful environment leads to better long-term working relationships.
Common Mistakes That First-Time Employers Make
In my observations over the years, these are the mistakes employers repeatedly make:
Hiring too quickly
Rushing can lead to a wrong fit. It’s better to interview at least two or three helpers.
Not checking the helper’s background
Always check employment history and reason for previous contract termination.
Ignoring communication style
If communication is weak, misunderstandings will happen often.
Not clarifying rest-day expectations
From January 2023, helpers must have at least one rest day per month that cannot be compensated with money.
(Source: Ministry of Manpower)
Choosing the cheapest agency
Low fees often mean limited support, poor training, or unclear contracts.
What Families Should Expect in 2026
Singapore may introduce more safety and well-being rules for domestic workers, based on MOM’s long-term policies. These may include updated insurance coverage, training requirements, or new safety guidelines for households with young children or elderly family members.
Another trend expected in 2026 is more training support for helpers. Agencies are encouraging helpers to undergo courses in childcare, cooking, and elder care so they can support families better. Families should look for trained helpers when possible.
The rising number of dual-income households also means that experienced helpers, especially those skilled in childcare will be in higher demand. Planning early increases your chances of getting the right match.
Getting Ready for 2026: Your Home, Your Helper, Your Peace of Mind
Hiring a helper is a big decision, but it can greatly reduce stress at home when done the right way. As Singapore enters 2026, more families will look for reliable domestic help, and having clear expectations makes the process smoother.
Remember these simple points:
- Understand the real costs and MOM rules
- Choose a licensed, reliable agency
- Interview wisely and check the helper’s background
- Prepare your home and communicate clearly
- Make onboarding smooth and respectful
If you plan to hire a maid next year, start early and gather as much information as you can. A well-matched helper can support your family for years and make daily life easier, safer, and more balanced.
When you feel ready, explore trusted platforms, compare helpers, and begin your shortlist. And last but not the least happy new year and best of luck hiring the right maid in Singapore.