Hiring a domestic helper for the first time can feel like navigating a maze. Work permits, security bonds, insurance, MOM regulations — it is a lot to take in when you have never done it before. The good news is that working with a trusted agency for Singapore domestic helpers takes the complexity off your plate.
The right domestic helper agency guides you from the very first step to well beyond placement day. This article breaks the process into clear, manageable steps so you can hire with confidence — even if this is your first time.
Key Takeaways
- You must meet MOM’s eligibility criteria and complete the Employer Orientation Programme before hiring
- A licensed maid agency handles shortlisting, interviews, documentation and deployment
- The process typically takes two to eight weeks through an agency
- Defining your household needs before viewing profiles leads to better matches
- Post-placement support from your agency is just as important as the initial hire
- Attitude and teachability in a helper matter more than an impressive resume
What a Domestic Helper Agency in Singapore Actually Does for You
A domestic helper agency is more than a middleman. It is a regulated service provider licensed by the Ministry of Manpower to manage the entire hiring process on your behalf.
This includes shortlisting helper profiles based on your household needs, arranging interviews, processing work permit applications, purchasing the required insurance and security bond, and coordinating your helper’s arrival. A good maid agency also provides guidance on employer responsibilities so you stay compliant with MOM regulations throughout.
Before engaging any agency, check its licence status, retention rate and demerit points on the MOM employment agencies directory. A healthy retention rate and clean record are strong indicators of reliability.
For a closer look at the full range of maid agency services available, visit the Master Maid Agency services page.
Steps to Hiring a Reliable Helper Through a Maid Agency in Singapore
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility as an Employer
Before anything else, confirm that you meet MOM’s requirements. You must be at least 21 years old, must not be an undischarged bankrupt, and must demonstrate the financial ability to support a helper’s salary and living expenses.
If this is your first time hiring, you are required to complete the Employer Orientation Programme (EOP). This three-hour course covers your legal obligations and can be completed online for around S$35. It must be done at least two working days before you submit a work permit application.
Singaporeans, permanent residents and valid Employment Pass holders are all eligible to apply. A reliable agency for Singapore domestic helpers will confirm your eligibility before moving forward.
Step 2: Choose Between a New Helper, a Transfer Helper or a Direct Hire
Once you are eligible, decide which route suits your situation.
| Option | What It Means | Best For |
| New helper (overseas) | Recruited from an MOM-approved source country | Employers who want a wider selection of profiles |
| Transfer helper | Currently in Singapore and changing employers | Employers who need someone sooner |
| Direct hire | You source the helper yourself without an agency | Experienced employers with an existing contact |
Most first-time employers benefit from going through an affordable maid agency because the agency manages vetting, paperwork and timelines. The process typically takes two to eight weeks depending on the helper’s location and document readiness.
If you are considering a transfer, the transfer maids page explains how this works in detail.
Step 3: Define Your Household Needs Before Shortlisting
This is the step most employers skip – and it is the one that matters most.
Before reviewing a single profile, write down the actual daily tasks your helper will handle. Be specific.
- Cooking: How many meals a day? Any dietary requirements?
- Cleaning: How large is your home? How many rooms?
- Childcare: What ages are your children? What does the daily routine look like?
- Elderly companionship: Does your parent need help moving around, or mainly someone to be present?
- Pet care: Do you have animals that need feeding or walking?
A clear task list helps your agency shortlist profiles that genuinely fit your household – rather than simply sending whoever is available.
One thing worth remembering: attitude beats credentials. A helper who is teachable, open to feedback and willing to adapt to your family’s way of doing things will almost always outperform one who claims to already know everything. Skills can be taught. Willingness cannot.
Step 4: Review Profiles and Conduct Interviews
Your domestic helper agency will present a shortlist of profiles based on your requirements. Each profile typically includes the helper’s age, nationality, work experience, language ability and previous employment history.
When interviewing, go beyond basic questions. Ask situational ones that reveal how the helper thinks and responds.
Examples of useful interview questions:
- If my child refuses to eat lunch, what would you do?
- How do you usually handle a task you have never done before?
- What was the most difficult part of your last job, and how did you manage it?
These questions give you a better sense of temperament and problem-solving ability than a list of past duties ever could.
Most agencies now offer recorded video interviews or live video calls, so you do not need to visit an office. If you are looking for someone with no prior Singapore experience, the fresh maids page outlines what to expect.
Step 5: Handle Documentation and MOM Compliance
Once you have selected a helper, the paperwork begins. A licensed maid agency manages this end to end, but it helps to know what is involved.
Key requirements include:
- Work permit application – submitted via MOM’s online portal
- Security bond – S$5,000, purchased as a banker’s guarantee or insurance bond
- Medical and personal accident insurance – minimum S$15,000 and S$60,000 coverage per year respectively
- Settling-In Programme (SIP) – mandatory for helpers working in Singapore for the first time
Your agency should also ensure the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter is sent to your helper before she travels to Singapore, as she will need to present it upon arrival.
For the full official process, refer to MOM’s guide on the 8 steps to hiring a helper.
Step 6: Prepare Your Home and Set Clear Expectations from Day One
Before your helper arrives, take time to get a few things ready.
- Accommodation: Ensure she has a proper sleeping area with basic amenities such as a mattress, blanket, pillow and access to a bathroom
- Task list: Write a simple daily and weekly routine she can refer to during her first week
- House rules: Cover things like phone usage times, rest days and meal arrangements upfront
- Safety agreement: MOM requires both employer and helper to sign this document
The first two weeks set the tone for the entire working relationship. Clear communication early on prevents most of the misunderstandings that lead to frustration later.
What Most Employers Get Wrong After Placement – and How to Avoid It
Here is something rarely discussed in hiring guides: the biggest reason employer-helper relationships break down is not poor performance. It is mismatched expectations.
Many employers expect a helper to know exactly how things should be done from day one. When that does not happen, frustration builds quickly – and the instinct is to request a replacement.
But think of it this way. If you went to a trusted friend with a relationship problem, would she tell you to end things immediately? Or would she listen, help you understand what went wrong and work through it with you first?
A good home maid agency in Singapore takes the same approach. Rather than defaulting to “change helper,” a responsible agency helps you pause, document the issue and explore whether clearer communication or more time could resolve things.
Before deciding a change is needed, ask yourself three questions:
- Were my expectations clearly communicated – not just assumed?
- Did I give enough time for adjustment?
- Was proper guidance or mediation attempted?
Most issues resolve once both sides feel heard. An agency that provides an objective checklist or framework for this kind of assessment helps you make thoughtful decisions instead of reactive ones. Fast decisions feel good in the moment – but thoughtful ones last longer.
Why Master Maid Agency Is Built for First-Time Employers in Singapore
There are hundreds of agencies in Singapore. What separates us is what happens both before and after placement.
Before placement, we do not limit you to a small pool of exclusive suppliers. We work with multiple suppliers so we can cherry-pick the best profiles for your household. Every profile we recommend is one we would hire for our own family.
After placement, most agencies stop once the helper arrives. For us, that is where the real work begins. If something goes wrong, we do not immediately say “change helper.” We say “let us understand what is happening.” We coach employers, guide helpers and work to make the relationship succeed before disruption becomes the default.
What else sets us apart:
- Over 20 years of experience and a MOM-licensed operation
- Dedicated Personal Relationship Managers (PRMs) assigned to every family – your PRM remembers your history, preferences and what did not work before
- Fully digitalised process – online interviews, digital paperwork and doorstep deployment with no need to visit our office
- $0 upfront service fees – you only pay after you are satisfied with your chosen helper
- Unlimited maid replacements (terms apply) – available within the replacement period after the helper has worked with you for more than six months
Placement is the easy part. Sustaining a good working relationship — that is the real value we bring. As an agency for Singapore domestic helpers, our commitment does not end at deployment — it continues for as long as you need us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Domestic Helper in Singapore
How much does it cost to hire a domestic helper through a maid agency in Singapore?
Agency fees typically range from S$1,000 to S$3,000. On top of that, expect recurring monthly costs: helper salary (S$500-S$700 depending on nationality and experience), MOM levy (S$300 standard or S$60 concessionary), food and upkeep (around S$200-S$300), and annual insurance premiums (S$300-S$500).
How long does the hiring process take with a domestic helper agency in Singapore?
Through a licensed agency, the process usually takes two to eight weeks. Transfer helpers already in Singapore can be placed faster, while overseas recruitment takes longer due to travel documents and SIP scheduling.
What should first-time employers know before choosing an affordable maid agency in Singapore?
Price should not be your only filter. Complete the EOP first, then verify any agency on MOM’s directory. Check its retention rate, transfer rate and whether it has demerit points. Most importantly, ask what post-placement support looks like – because that is where you will need the most help as a first-time employer.
Start Your Search With Master Maid Agency Today
Finding the right helper does not have to be stressful. Whether you are preparing for a new baby, caring for ageing parents or simply need an extra pair of hands at home, Master Maid Agency is ready to walk you through every step.
- Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore
- Facebook: Master Employment Agency
- Instagram: @master.employment.agency
- TikTok: @master.employment.agency
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