If you are hiring a foreign domestic worker in Singapore, the foreign maid levy is one of the recurring costs you need to plan for before you sign any employment agreement. Many families focus their budgeting on the helper's monthly salary and the agency placement fee, and then find themselves surprised by the levy when they receive their first bill from the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board.
This guide explains the foreign maid levy clearly: what it is, what it currently costs, who pays it, how it is collected, and how some families can qualify for a lower concessionary rate. Understanding this cost upfront helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises after your helper starts work.
What is the Foreign Maid Levy?
The foreign maid levy is a monthly government fee that Singapore employers must pay for every foreign domestic worker (FDW) they employ. It is sometimes called the domestic helper levy or the FDW levy. The levy is separate from your helper's salary, and it is paid directly to the government, not to the helper.
The purpose of the levy is to regulate the employment of foreign domestic workers in Singapore and to encourage families to consider all available options before hiring. It is collected by the CPF Board on behalf of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
The levy is not a tax on the helper's income. It is an obligation on the employer. Your helper does not pay it, and it has no effect on her salary.
Current Foreign Maid Levy Rates in Singapore
The standard monthly levy rate for a foreign domestic worker in Singapore is $300 per month. This is the rate that applies to most households. It is charged for every month (or part-month) that the FDW is employed in your household.
For households that qualify for the concessionary rate (explained below), the levy is reduced to $60 per month.
These rates are set by the Ministry of Manpower and are subject to revision. When budgeting for your helper, it is important to check the current rates directly with MOM or through your licensed maid agency to ensure you are working with the most up-to-date figures.
Who is Required to Pay the Levy?
Any Singapore household that employs a foreign domestic worker is required to pay the levy. This applies regardless of the helper's nationality, and it applies from the date the helper begins work in Singapore.
The levy is the employer's responsibility. You cannot pass this cost on to your helper or deduct it from her salary. Attempting to do so is a violation of MOM regulations and can result in penalties for the employer.
The levy is paid monthly, and the payment is typically arranged through GIRO deduction directly from the employer's bank account. This setup is usually handled as part of the formal employment registration process when you take on a new FDW.
How the Levy is Collected
The CPF Board sends employers a monthly levy bill, and payment is typically made via GIRO. Once your foreign domestic worker has received her Work Permit and begun work, the CPF Board will contact you with the necessary instructions to set up payment.
If the GIRO payment fails or is rejected, the Board will notify you and you will need to settle the outstanding amount promptly. Persistent non-payment of the levy can result in the suspension or cancellation of your helper's Work Permit, which affects her legal right to work in Singapore.
When your helper goes on home leave or is hospitalised for an extended period, you may be eligible to apply for a levy waiver for those specific months. The conditions and process for levy waivers are managed by MOM, and your maid agency can help you understand the application process.
Who Qualifies for the Concessionary Levy Rate?
The concessionary rate of $60 per month is available to households that meet specific criteria set by MOM. Not every household qualifies, and the concessionary rate is typically granted in one of the following situations:
Households with a young child. If you have a Singapore citizen child aged 16 or below living in your home, you may be eligible for the concessionary rate. This recognises the additional childcare demands that come with having a young child in the household.
Households with an elderly family member. If you have a Singapore citizen or permanent resident aged 67 or above living in your household, you may also qualify for the lower rate. This reflects the higher level of care that elderly household members often require.
Households with a person with disabilities. If you have a household member with a disability, you may be eligible for the concessionary rate under a separate scheme.
Eligibility must be applied for, and families should not assume the concessionary rate is applied automatically. Your full-time helper placement through a licensed agency will typically involve guidance on this process, but you should confirm the specifics directly with MOM or through the eCitizen portal.
It is also worth noting that a household is only entitled to one concessionary levy rate, regardless of how many qualifying members are present.
How Many Foreign Domestic Workers Can You Employ?
In Singapore, most households are permitted to employ up to two foreign domestic workers. The second FDW is subject to an additional eligibility check. For families considering whether a part-time helper might meet their needs instead, it is worth understanding that part-time domestic help in Singapore operates under different regulations and does not involve the FDW levy in the same way.
If you are unsure which arrangement best fits your household, Femme5's team can walk you through the options and help you work out what makes most sense for your situation. You can find answers to many common questions on our FAQ page.
What the Levy Means for Your Monthly Budget
When planning the monthly cost of employing a foreign domestic worker in Singapore, most families find it helpful to calculate the full picture upfront. The typical monthly costs include:
The helper's salary (which varies depending on nationality, experience, and agreed terms), the standard levy of $300 (or $60 if you qualify for the concession), food and accommodation (if your helper is live-in), and medical insurance as required by MOM.
Add to this the one-off placement fees paid to your maid agency at the start of the engagement, and you have a complete view of the cost commitment involved.
For most households, the total monthly cost remains substantially more affordable than the equivalent commercial childcare or eldercare arrangements, especially when the value of full-household support is factored in.
Understanding the Levy Waiver for Home Leave and Hospitalisation
If your helper travels home on annual leave, or is hospitalised for an extended period, you may be eligible to apply for a levy waiver covering those specific months. MOM allows a maximum of two months' levy waiver per year in most cases.
The waiver is not automatic. You need to apply before the leave period begins (or in some cases, within a set window after), and you must meet the conditions stipulated by MOM. Managing this is straightforward when you are working with a licensed agency that is familiar with the administrative requirements.
Getting It Right From the Start
Understanding the foreign maid levy is an important part of being a well-informed employer of a foreign domestic worker in Singapore. It is not a complicated cost, but it is a consistent one, and planning for it correctly from the outset avoids any unpleasant surprises in the months ahead.
At Femme5, we make it a point to walk every family through the full cost picture before they commit to a placement. We want you to go into the arrangement with a clear head and accurate expectations, because that is how good, lasting employer-helper relationships start.
If you have questions about levy rates, eligibility for the concessionary rate, or anything else related to hiring a foreign domestic worker in Singapore, our team is ready to help. Reach out to Femme5 today and we will guide you through every step of the process.
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