Singapore Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) Levy & Household Cost Calculator 2026
Calculate Singapore MDW levy and household hiring costs using current 2026 MOM rules. Compare S$60 concessionary, S$300 first-helper and S$450 subsequent-helper rates, plus insurance, bond and Work Permit costs.
Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW / Maid) Levy Calculator 2026
Estimate monthly MOM maid levy (Concessionary S$60 vs Standard S$300) & helper salary budget
Calculator
Purpose
Estimate monthly and initial household costs for employing a Singapore MDW under current MOM rules.
Inputs
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Levy Formula
Monthly levy = first-helper rate + subsequent-helper rate, replacing the applicable helper's rate with S$60 when the household has a qualifying levy concession.
Monthly Cost Formula
Estimated recurring monthly cost = MDW salary total + monthly levy total + monthly insurance cost + any other monthly household cost entered by the user. Annual-only costs are not included in this monthly figure.
Initial Cost Formula
Estimated first-stage cash outlay = monthly recurring costs + Work Permit application fees + Work Permit issuance fees + EOP cost where applicable + SIP cost where applicable + actual security-bond premium + first-year insurance premium where entered.
Bond Treatment
Do not add the full S$5,000 security-bond guarantee to household expenditure. It is the amount guaranteed to the government if Work Permit conditions are breached; the employer normally purchases the guarantee from a bank or insurer.
Refund Treatment
A security bond guarantee may be discharged after the relevant conditions are satisfied. It should not be modelled as an ordinary non-refundable cost.
Daily Levy
Normal First Helper
S$9.87 per day
Normal Subsequent Helper
S$14.80 per day
Concessionary
S$1.98 per day
Rule
Daily levy rates apply when the helper does not work a full calendar month.
Outputs
- Monthly levy total.
- Monthly salary total.
- Estimated recurring monthly household cost.
- Annual levy total.
- First-stage Work Permit and programme fees.
- Security-bond guarantee shown separately from actual bond premium.
- Estimated first-year cost where the user enters insurance, salary and other household costs.
Levy Rates
Normal first helper
Normal subsequent helper
Concessionary
Levy Concession
Rate
S$60 per month per qualifying helper
Maximum Helpers
Up to 2 helpers per household
Second Helper Rule
To receive the concession for a second helper, the household must have a second eligible person.
Eligible Care Situations
Singapore Citizen child
Singapore Citizen elderly person
Eligible Permanent Resident elderly person
Person with disabilities
Activity Of Daily Living Examples
- Washing.
- Feeding.
- Dressing.
- Moving or walking around.
- Transferring from bed to chair and vice versa.
- Toileting.
Automatic Grant
After all conditions and required steps are completed, MOM states that the concession is automatically granted and reflected in the next two levy bills, with adjustments backdated to the date the required steps were completed.
Important2026 Point
The age threshold for the elderly concession remains 67. Seniors below 67 who permanently require help with at least one ADL may instead qualify under the persons-with-disabilities concession if the applicable conditions are satisfied.
Employer Eligibility
Requirements
- Employer must be 21 years old or above.
- Employer must not be an undischarged bankrupt.
- Employer must have the mental capacity to understand and discharge employer responsibilities.
- MOM considers caregiving needs and the employer's financial ability to hire, maintain and upkeep the helper in acceptable accommodation.
- First-time employers must complete the Employers' Orientation Programme before applying for the Work Permit.
Income Rule
MOM states that household income or monthly salary is a qualifying criterion but does not disclose a fixed minimum income amount.
Income Combining
Married couples can combine income. Under the Joint Income Scheme, income can be combined with one immediate family member other than a spouse who lives at the same address. Eligible people aged 60 or above who are not earning income and do not live with working adults may apply under the Sponsorship Scheme.
Accommodation
Employers must provide acceptable accommodation and meet MOM's care, upkeep and employment obligations. Do not reduce these obligations to a generic claim that three meals a day are universally specified by MOM in the exact form presented in the source.
Salary
Minder
MOM's current MDW Work Permit key-facts page states that there is no minimum required qualifying salary for an MDW Work Permit.
Actual Salary
The employment contract should contain the mutually agreed salary. The actual salary can also be affected by the worker's source-country or employer-agency arrangements.
Payment
Employers must pay the helper's salary monthly, and MOM provides rules on payment through the worker's designated bank account where applicable.
Calculator Warning
There is no single official 'average MDW salary' published by MOM that can be used as a universal calculator default. The calculator should let the employer enter the contractual salary.
Security Bond
Required For
Each non-Malaysian MDW.
Amount
S$5,000 per helper.
Malaysian Exception
The security bond is not required for a Malaysian MDW.
Purpose
The bond is a binding pledge to pay the government if the employer or helper breaches Work Permit conditions.
Purchase Timing
The employer must buy the security bond, medical insurance and personal accident insurance before the helper arrives in Singapore.
Processing
MOM states that the bank or insurer's security-bond details can take up to 3 working days to reach MOM.
Calculator Treatment
Model S$5,000 as a contingent guarantee amount, not as a S$5,000 cash expense. The calculator should instead use the actual bank or insurer premium when estimating cash cost.
Insurance
Medical Insurance
Minimum Coverage
At least S$60,000 annual claim limit for inpatient care and day surgery during the helper's stay in Singapore.
Stage2 Enhancements
For policies, renewals or extensions with start dates from 1 July 2025, MOM's enhanced medical-insurance framework includes standardised allowable exclusions, age-differentiated premiums and direct insurer payment to hospitals when claims are admissible.
Employer Pays
The employer cannot pass the cost of purchasing the required insurance to the helper.
Personal Accident Insurance
Minimum Sum Assured
At least S$60,000 per year.
Coverage
Must cover sudden, unforeseen and unexpected incidents resulting in permanent disability or death.
Employer Pays
The employer bears the required insurance cost.
Calculator Warning
There is no fixed S$60,000 insurance premium. S$60,000 is the minimum medical annual claim limit and personal-accident sum assured, not the price of the insurance policy.
Medical Examinations
Pre Employment
The helper must undergo a medical examination by a Singapore-registered doctor within 2 weeks of arrival. Work Permit issuance depends on passing the required examination.
Six Monthly
During employment, the helper must undergo a medical examination every 6 months. The 6ME screens for pregnancy and specified infectious diseases, with the tests required depending on the schedule.
Current6 M E Tests
- Pregnancy and VDRL every 6 months.
- HIV every 2 years.
- Tuberculosis once after 2 years of stay in Singapore.
- Body Mass Index and visible signs of abuse.
Cost
The employer pays the 6ME and related medical expenses.
Employers Orientation Programme
Who
First-time MDW employer.
Timing
At least 2 working days before submitting the Work Permit application.
Duration
3 hours.
Current Fees
- Online EOP: S$29 to S$36.
- Classroom EOP: S$35 to S$76.
Settling In Programme
Who
First-time MDW.
Timing
Within 7 days after arrival in Singapore, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
Duration
1 day.
Work Start Rule
The first-time MDW can start work only after attending the SIP.
Current Provider Fees
- Absolute Kinetics Consultancy: S$76.40 inclusive of GST.
- Grace Management & Consultancy Services: S$92.65 inclusive of GST.
- NTUC LearningHub: S$77.00 inclusive of GST.
Payer
Employer bears the cost.
Work Permit
Application
Fee
S$35 per helper
Processing
FDW eService: within 1 week unless more information is required. Online application-form route: within 3 weeks for most cases.
Issuance
Fee
S$35 per helper
Timing
Once the helper is in Singapore and required conditions are met, Work Permit issuance is processed immediately online.
Arrival Window
The permit should be issued within 2 weeks from the helper's arrival.
Card
MOM states that the Work Permit card is received at the provided address 4 working days after registration or document verification.
Temporary Permit
After issuance, the Temporary Work Permit notification can allow the helper to work, stay and travel while waiting for the physical card, subject to its validity and instructions.
Rest Days And Employment Conditions
Weekly Rest Day
MOM states that an MDW is entitled to one rest day per week, mutually agreed between employer and helper.
Compensation
If the helper agrees to work on a rest day, the employer must compensate her with at least 1 day's salary. This compensation is additional and is not part of basic salary.
Non Compensable Monthly Rest Day
At least one rest day per month cannot be compensated away.
Employment Contract
MOM encourages employers and helpers to agree in writing on salary, placement loan, number of rest days per month, compensation in lieu of rest day, notice period and compensation in lieu of termination notice.
Employment Act
MDWs are not covered by the Employment Act because of the nature of domestic work. MOM nevertheless imposes MDW-specific employment safeguards and conditions.
Approved Source Countries
Scope
MOM permits MDWs from approved source countries and regions subject to its nationality, age, education and other eligibility rules.
Examples
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Myanmar
- India
- Cambodia
- Sri Lanka
Warning
Do not publish a fixed list of source-country salary minimums as if they were MOM statutory MDW salary rules. Source-country employment policies can impose additional requirements.
Monthly Budget Example
Scenario
One normal first helper, S$650 salary, no concession, excluding insurance, food, transport and other household costs.
Levy
S$300/month
Salary
S$650/month
Recurring Subtotal
S$950/month
Annual Levy
S$3,600/year
Annual Salary
S$7,800/year
Annual Recurring Subtotal
S$11,400/year
Note
This is only salary plus MOM levy. It excludes insurance, medical expenses, food, transport, placement or agency charges, rest-day compensation, Work Permit fees and other costs.
Concession Example
Scenario
One eligible helper at the S$60 concessionary levy and S$650 monthly salary.
Levy
S$60/month
Salary
S$650/month
Recurring Subtotal
S$710/month
Annual Levy
S$720/year
Annual Salary
S$7,800/year
Annual Recurring Subtotal
S$8,520/year
Monthly Saving Against Normal First Helper
S$240/month
Annual Levy Saving Against Normal First Helper
S$2,880/year
Two Helper Example
Scenario
Two helpers, neither qualifying for a concession.
First Helper Levy
S$300/month
Second Helper Levy
S$450/month
Combined Levy
S$750/month
Annual Levy
S$9,000/year
Warning
The household must meet MOM's criteria for employing a second MDW and additional helpers beyond the normal household allowance are assessed case by case.
Decision Guide
💡 Action / Assessment: Complete the Employers' Orientation Programme at least 2 working days before the Work Permit application.
💡 Action / Assessment: Check MOM's concession criteria. A qualifying household can pay S$60 per month instead of S$300 for the first helper, subject to the detailed conditions and two-helper cap.
💡 Action / Assessment: The normal second-helper levy is S$450 per month. A second helper and a second concession require the relevant MOM eligibility conditions.
💡 Action / Assessment: The S$5,000 security bond is not required for a Malaysian MDW, although the other Work Permit, insurance and employment obligations remain.
💡 Action / Assessment: Include contractual salary, levy, insurance, medical expenses, food, transport, agency or placement fees, Work Permit fees, SIP/EOP costs, and any rest-day compensation separately. Do not count the full S$5,000 bond guarantee as ordinary expenditure.
Seo
Primary Intent
Transactional and informational search for the 2026 Singapore MDW monthly levy, concessionary levy, domestic helper hiring costs, security bond, insurance, Work Permit fees and household budgeting.
Primary Entities
- Ministry of Manpower
- Migrant Domestic Worker
- MDW levy
- Foreign Domestic Worker levy
- S$60 levy concession
- Work Permit
- security bond
- medical insurance
- Settling-In Programme
- Employers' Orientation Programme
Keyword Strategy
Use natural terms such as Singapore maid levy calculator 2026, MDW levy S$60, MDW levy S$300, second maid levy S$450, Singapore domestic helper cost, MDW security bond and MDW insurance without presenting salary estimates as official MOM minimums.
Schema
Article Type
Article
Faq Page
Faq Count
6
Date Modified
2026-08
Author
NationRules Household Employment Team
Primary Entity
Singapore Migrant Domestic Worker levy and household cost calculator
Official Sources
- Ministry of Manpower
Implementation
Calculator
Calculator Type
mdw_levy
Dynamic Claims Warning
MDW levy rates, LQS figures used for related schemes, insurance requirements, programme fees and Work Permit procedures can change. Refresh the current MOM pages before publication after a material policy update.
Bond Warning
The calculator must display the S$5,000 security bond as a guarantee amount rather than treating it as a S$5,000 non-refundable hiring cost.
Salary Warning
Do not hard-code a universal MDW minimum salary. MOM currently states no minimum required qualifying salary for an MDW Work Permit.
Concession Warning
Do not infer S$60 eligibility solely from the household having a child, elderly person or disabled member. Use MOM's exact citizen/PR, household, ADL and AIC conditions.
Rest Day Warning
Display both the weekly rest-day entitlement and the separate rule that at least one rest day per month cannot be compensated away.
Source Hierarchy
Use current MOM MDW levy, concession, Work Permit, security-bond, insurance, EOP, SIP, 6ME and rest-day pages as the primary authority. Treat agency prices, salary estimates and insurance premiums as variable inputs rather than statutory constants.
Legal Boundary
This calculator estimates household costs and summarizes current MOM requirements. It does not guarantee levy-concession approval, Work Permit approval, insurance acceptance, bond discharge or any other immigration or employment outcome.
Common Mistakes & Legal Misconceptions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Official Government Sources & Statutory Verification
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