Let’s be honest, hiring a domestic helper is one of the best decisions a busy Singaporean household can make. It buys you back time, reduces the mountain of weekend chores, and ensures your loved ones are cared for. However, once you start looking into the costs, you’ll quickly run into the term maid levy in Singapore.
If you are a first-time employer, seeing that extra monthly charge from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) can feel like just another bill to track. But here is the good news: the system is designed to support families who need help the most.
Understanding how Singapore’s maid levy works can actually save you thousands of dollars over the course of your helper’s contract.
How Much Is The Maid Levy In Singapore?
The cost of the levy depends entirely on your household profile. MOM uses a tiered system to regulate the number of migrant domestic workers in the country. For most, there are three main rates to keep in mind:
| Levy Type | Monthly Rate | Who It’s For |
| Standard Rate | $300 | First helper in a household with no concession. |
| Subsequent Helper | $450 | For the second helper (if you don’t qualify for a concession). |
| Concessionary Rate | $60 | Households with children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. |
If you are hiring your first helper and don’t have young children or elderly parents living with you, you will likely pay the standard $300. However, most Singaporean families find they actually qualify for the much lower rate.
What Is The $60 Levy for Maid Households?
You might have heard friends or relatives mention “the sixty-dollar levy.” This is the foreign maid levy concession, a significant subsidy for families. Instead of $300, you pay just $60 a month.
To qualify for this rate, your household must include a Singapore Citizen who falls into one of these categories:
- Young Children: A child or grandchild below 16 years old.
- Elderly: A family member (including yourself or your spouse) who is at least 67 years old.
- Persons with Disabilities (PWD): A family member who needs help with daily activities.
The best part? If you have a child or an elderly parent living with you, the $60 concession is usually applied automatically by MOM based on the records. In most cases, you don’t even need to lift a finger for the application.
How To Qualify For Maid Levy In Singapore Concessions
To ensure you aren’t overpaying, it is vital to check your eligibility under the three main schemes.
For the Young Child or Grandchild Scheme
The child must be a Singapore Citizen under 16 years old and living at the same NRIC address as you. If you are the parent, this is automatic. If you are the grandparent, you simply need to ensure the child is registered as a household member on the MOM portal.
For the Aged Person Scheme
The eligible person (you, your spouse, or a parent/grandparent) must be a Singapore Citizen aged at least 67. If the elderly person is a Permanent Resident, you can still qualify if you or your spouse is a Singapore Citizen and the elderly person is your parent or grandparent living with you.
For the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Scheme
It requires a bit more paperwork. The care recipient must be certified by a Singapore-registered doctor as needing help with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL), such as dressing or feeding. You will need to apply via the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to get this approved.
Managing Your Payments for a Foreign Maid Levy
MOM is quite strict about deadlines. Your levy is due on the 17th of every month for the previous month’s service. For example, your bill for January must be settled by 17 February.
The most hassle-free and recommended way to handle this is via GIRO or e-GIRO. It ensures you never miss a payment and avoids the 2% late payment penalty. If you don’t use GIRO/e-GIRO, you can use PayNow QR via the MOM website. Just remember that if you miss two consecutive months of payments, MOM will revoke your helper’s Work Permit, which is a headache nobody needs.
Levy Waivers You Should Know About
While most guides focus on the rates, many employers don’t realise they can get a “refund” or a waiver in certain situations. You can apply for a levy waiver if your helper:
- Went on home leave for 7 consecutive days or more (capped at 60 calendar days per calendar year). issued hospitalisation leave by a Singapore-registered doctor from a local medical institution (capped at 60 calendar days per calendar year).
- Was under the police’s or the embassy’s custody.
- Passed away pending repatriation.
These small savings add up, especially if your helper goes back to her home country for a two-week break.
Conclusion about Maid Levy in Singapore
Navigating the costs of hiring help shouldn’t feel like a part-time job. By understanding the maid levy in Singapore, you can better plan your monthly budget and ensure you are getting all the government support you are entitled to.
At Inter Great Employment Pte Ltd (MOM EA Licence No: 14C6931), we take the complexity out of the hiring process by managing your paperwork and ensuring you are set up for the right levy schemes from day one.
(Disclaimer by Inter Great: all above information and/ or monetary figures are meant for reference only, please refer to MOM’s official website for updated and accurate information, or approach consult our recruitment consultant if you need professional advice and consultation.)
Frequently Asked Questions about Maid Levy in Singapore
What Is The $60 Levy For Maid Employers?
This is a concessionary rate provided by the Singapore government to help families with caregiving needs. It reduces the standard monthly levy from $300 down to $60 for households with children, seniors, or persons with disabilities.
How Do I Apply For The Maid Levy Concession?
For households with Singaporean children under 16 years old or seniors over 67 years old, the concession is usually granted automatically. For Permanent Residents or cases involving persons with disabilities, you may need to apply through the AIC or MOM portal with supporting documents.
When Does My Maid Levy Payment Start?
If your helper is new to Singapore, the levy starts on the 5th day of her arrival. For an ex-Singapore helper, the levy starts from the next day of arrival.
Can I Pay The Maid Levy Using A Credit Card?
Currently, MOM does not accept direct credit card payments for the levy. The preferred and most common methods are GIRO/ e-GIRO or PayNow QR.
Is The Maid Levy Tax Deductible?
While there was previously a Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief for tax purposes, this relief has lapsed since the Year of Assessment 2025, as the government has shifted toward more direct subsidies, such as a concessionary rate.