Short answerPublished 2026 guides put maid agency fees at roughly SGD 800 to 3,000 for families. MOM does not cap what agencies charge employers, but it caps what they can take from the helper. Get every fee in writing.
Agency fees vary by agency and by service package. Always get the full fee breakdown in writing.
Fees charged to families
Published 2026 guides from Income, DBS and SearchMaid put agency fees charged to families at roughly SGD 800 to 3,000. Treat this as an indicative range, not a quote.
Fees charged to the helper
MOM caps the placement fee an agency may collect from a helper at one month of her fixed monthly salary for each year of service, capped at two months' salary.
Other employer costs
Employers also pay the monthly levy (SGD 300 for a first helper; see our levy guide) and must buy medical and personal accident insurance and, for non-Malaysian helpers, a SGD 5,000 security bond (see our insurance guide).
Questions to ask an agency
- What exactly does the fee include, and what is refundable?
- What happens if the placement does not work out?
- What fee, if any, will the helper pay?
Sources for the helper fee cap, checked 15 Oct 2026: MOM FAQ, How much workers pay an EA; MOM forum reply on EA fees (2024).
Common questions
How much do maid agencies in Singapore charge?
Published 2026 guides (Income, DBS, SearchMaid) put agency fees charged to families at roughly SGD 800 to 3,000. Fees vary by agency and package; ask for a written breakdown.
How much can an agency charge the helper?
MOM caps the fee an agency can collect from a helper at one month's fixed salary per year of service, capped at two months' salary (MOM, checked 15 Oct 2026).