How to Hire a Maid in Singapore: Step-by-Step Guide
A clear, practical guide to hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) in Singapore — from eligibility and MOM requirements to choosing the right helper and onboarding her smoothly into your home.
At a glance
In Singapore, maids are officially known as Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) or Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs). They are employed on a Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and there are clear rules for employers to follow.
This guide walks you through:
- Who is eligible to hire an FDW
- The typical costs and ongoing obligations
- Whether to use an employment agency or hire directly
- How to shortlist, interview and select the right helper
- What to prepare before she arrives and during her first week
Key costs to expect when hiring a maid
Before committing, it’s important to understand the full financial picture. When you hire a maid in Singapore, you should budget for:
- Monthly salary – varies based on nationality, experience and job scope.
- Monthly levy – payable to MOM, with possible concessions if you have young children or elderly family members.
- Maid insurance & personal accident insurance – compulsory, with minimum coverage set by MOM.
- Security bond – usually issued via the insurance provider.
- Medical expenses – including 6-monthly medical examinations required by MOM.
- Agency fees – if you use an employment agency to handle matching and paperwork.
- Daily living costs – meals, toiletries, transport and other essentials.
Step-by-step: How to hire a maid in Singapore
Decide if hiring an FDW is right for your family
An FDW lives in your home. Before you proceed, ask:
- Do you have sufficient space and privacy for her?
- Are you comfortable with someone living in your household?
- Is your need long-term and regular (e.g. childcare, eldercare, daily housekeeping)?
If you only require part-time cleaning, you may wish to consider Honest Recruiter’s Household Services Scheme (HSS) cleaners instead of a full-time maid.
Check your eligibility as an employer
MOM requires employers to meet certain criteria (e.g. minimum age, financial ability and mental capacity) and to be able to provide safe accommodation and proper supervision.
If you are a first-time FDW employer, you will also need to complete the Employer Orientation Programme (EOP) before applying for a Work Permit.
Choose: Hire through an agency or directly
You have two main options:
- Employment Agency (EA): Handles matching, interviews, paperwork, insurance, travel arrangements and MOM submissions for you. This is the most common option for busy families.
- Direct Hiring: You source the helper on your own and handle all paperwork. This may save on agency fees but requires significantly more time and familiarity with MOM systems.
Honest Recruiter is a licensed maid agency in Singapore with a strong track record and MOM-verified performance. We specialise in transparent, digitalised processes so employers do not have to visit the office unnecessarily.
Shortlist suitable candidates
Work with your agency to define your family’s needs clearly:
- Childcare, infant care, eldercare or general housekeeping
- Languages spoken and preferred nationality (Indonesian, Myanmar, Filipino, etc.)
- Cooking preferences (e.g. Chinese, Indonesian, simple Western, vegetarian)
- Experience level (fresh, experienced, transfer helper)
- Any special needs (night supervision, mobility assistance, dementia care)
We usually recommend 3–5 shortlisted profiles so you can compare experience, personality and expectations before deciding.
Interview your shortlisted helpers
A good interview helps you assess both skills and attitude. Useful questions include:
- “Tell me about your previous employer and daily routine.”
- “What are you most confident doing — cooking, cleaning, childcare or eldercare?”
- “How do you handle feedback if your employer is not satisfied with your work?”
- “Are you comfortable with our family’s schedule, house rules and privacy expectations?”
Pay attention to her communication style, willingness to learn and emotional maturity, not just years of experience.
Confirm offer, salary, rest days and contract
Once you have chosen your helper:
- Agree on her monthly salary and rest day arrangements.
- Clarify duties (e.g. main focus: young children, eldercare, housekeeping).
- Discuss handphone usage, curfew, visitors and off-day timing.
Your agency will help prepare a written employment contract that reflects these agreements, to avoid misunderstandings later on.
Handle Work Permit, insurance and travel arrangements
Your agency will typically:
- Arrange maid insurance and security bond that meet MOM’s minimum requirements.
- Submit the Work Permit application to MOM.
- Coordinate her arrival flight and transport to your home or accommodation.
- Arrange any mandatory medical checks and Settling-In Programme (if applicable).
At Honest Recruiter, all these steps are handled through a fully digitalised process with clear updates, so you know exactly which stage your case is at.
Prepare your home and house rules
Before she arrives, prepare:
- A proper place for her to sleep with sufficient privacy.
- Basic items: bed, pillow, blanket, storage space for her belongings.
- A simple house manual listing daily schedule, cleaning standards and safety rules.
This helps your new helper settle in faster and reduces miscommunication.
Start her first week with guidance and patience
The first week is about orientation and trust-building, not perfection. Walk her through:
- How to use household appliances safely
- Your preferred way of cleaning and organising the home
- Children’s routines, likes and dislikes
- Eldercare needs, medication timings and mobility support (if applicable)
Check in with her regularly and encourage her to ask questions. A good start often leads to a stable, long-term relationship.
How to choose the right maid for your family
The “best” helper is not simply the one with the longest experience — it’s the one whose skills, personality and expectations match your household.
1. Match skills to your main priority
- Infant / childcare: Look for helpers with proven experience caring for babies or young children.
- Eldercare: Prior experience with elderly, basic transfer skills and patience are crucial.
- Housekeeping: Strong cleaning standards, organisation and time management.
- Cooking: Ask for sample menus and comfort level with your family’s cuisine.
2. Discuss expectations clearly
Be upfront about:
- Number of people in the household and ages of children / elderly
- Pets, if any
- Size of your home and number of rooms/bathrooms
- Whether she will share a room, and with whom
- Off-day arrangements and any flexibility required
3. Look beyond the resume
Use the interview to understand her character, motivation and learning attitude. Helpers who feel respected and supported are more likely to stay longer and perform better.
Onboarding your new maid: First week checklist
A structured first week helps your helper settle in smoothly and reduces friction later. Here is a simple checklist:
- Walk her through the home and explain which areas are priorities.
- Show her how to use appliances safely (washing machine, dryer, stove, steamer, etc.).
- Explain your hygiene expectations for kitchen, toilets and children’s areas.
- Clarify schedule: wake-up time, meal timings, children’s nap times, bedtime routines.
- Discuss how to inform you if she feels unwell, overwhelmed or unsure about tasks.
