How much do helper agencies charge in Singapore? Fair price, scope and reliability (Updated 30 Oct 2026)
30 Oct 2026
We worked with over 300 households in the last 3 months. The questions we heard most were the same: am I paying a fair price, what is actually included, and how reliable is the agency, and its helpers? This guide gives an updated view on the latest, so households can decide what's best for them.
It is built from what 764 MOM-licensed helper agencies show on their own websites, and from the Google reviews households left them. We refresh it every three months.
Is it a fair price? What agencies charge
Agency fees sit mostly between $300 to $690, about $500 typical, from 18 agencies that list them. Whole hiring packages sit mostly between $580 to $3,020 (27 agencies).
Only about 1 in 11 agencies show any price on their website. That is why comparing is hard: most quotes only come after you call.
These are the middle half of agencies that publish prices: half charge within the range, a quarter less and a quarter more. You can check live agency prices for your needs, by nationality and the help you need.
By the helper's nationality
| Nationality | Agencies placing | Agency fee (middle half) |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 341 | $300 to $690 |
| Philippines | 321 | $300 to $690 |
| Myanmar | 295 | $300 to $690 |
| India | 220 | $250 to $300 |
| Sri Lanka | 158 | Too few list prices |
| Bangladesh | 97 | Too few list prices |
| Cambodia | 91 | Too few list prices |
All-in packages, by nationality
Some agencies publish one all-in price per nationality. One agency's price sheet:
| Nationality | Fresh, or experienced elsewhere | Experienced in Singapore, Taiwan or Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | $1,988 | $2,188 |
| Philippines (POEA fees +$1,500) | $3,488 | $3,688 |
| Myanmar | $1,988 | $2,188 |
| Cambodia | $1,988 | $2,188 |
Why a helper from the Philippines costs more upfront
Philippine government processing (POEA, now the Department of Migrant Workers) adds to the package: agencies that price it separately charge about $1,500 more for a helper from the Philippines, $3,488 to $3,688 all-in. The whole package is higher, but in return you get a helper who typically speaks English well and, under the Philippine government's rules for household workers going abroad, holds TESDA's Domestic Work NC II certificate in household work (cleaning, laundry, cooking and food service). Ask the agency to show it.
Fresh or experienced: the salary, and the total over a 2-year contract
An experienced helper has completed at least one 2-year contract abroad. Monthly salaries as agencies publish them, with 1 day off a month (months with 4 Sundays), and what the package plus 24 months of salary add up to:
| Nationality | Fresh, per month | Experienced, per month | Fresh, 2 years all-in | Experienced, 2 years all-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | $620 to $640 | $680 to $850 | $16,868 to $17,348 | $18,508 to $22,588 |
| Philippines | $725 to $750 | $780 to $900 | $20,888 to $21,488 | $22,408 to $25,288 |
| Myanmar | $560 to $580 | $620 to $850 | $15,428 to $15,908 | $17,068 to $22,588 |
| Cambodia | $640 to $660 | $680 to $850 | $17,348 to $17,828 | $18,508 to $22,588 |
The 2-year totals are the agency package plus 24 months of salary; the monthly levy ($300, or $60 with a concession) and her food and upkeep come on top, the same either way.
Why an experienced helper costs more: she has already finished a contract abroad, so she knows a household's routines, needs less training and settles in faster, and her past employers can vouch for her. Her salary reflects that, and a helper who has worked in Singapore, Taiwan or Hong Kong often adds a little to the package too.
Fresh or transfer helper
Agencies placing fresh helpers (new to Singapore): $300 to $800. Agencies placing transfer helpers (already in Singapore): $300 to $690. A transfer helper's own salary is often higher, as she already has Singapore experience.
What changes the price
- Nationality and visas. Each nationality has its own agency fees, training and paperwork.
- Getting her here. Air ticket, transport and accommodation: some packages include them, some charge on top. Ask who pays for the flight home at the end.
- Her salary. Set by her skills: English, care skills and certificates (eldercare, childcare), and years of experience.
- Your household. Home size and how many people she looks after change the scope, and so the salary and the right package.
What's included: the scope
If a package's price looks too low, it may be that you're bearing the cost of something else, paid separately or added later. A full breakdown goes into the individual costs, such as transport and other miscellaneous fees. That's why an itemised quotation helps.
Here's what a full breakdown might look like. Ask what is included, line by line. A typical all-in package, as an agency that itemises its package lists it:
| Item | What it covers | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Agency service fee | End-to-end coordination and customer service (waived for up to 2 replacements within 12 months) | ~$800 |
| 2-year insurance | Basic helper insurance (FWD), with top-ups available | ~$400 |
| MOM fees | Work permit application and issuance fees by MOM | ~$70 |
| Settling-in Programme (SIP) | Mandatory orientation programme for first-time helpers | ~$80 |
| Medical fee | Mandatory pre-employment medical examination | ~$80 |
| Transportation | Trips from the airport to the medical, lodging, SIP and MOM | ~$200 |
| Food & lodging | Accommodation for your helper from arrival to handover | ~$70 |
| Home country processing | Local coordination, travel and air ticket, before arrival | ~$300 |
| Total | ~$2,000 |
For a helper from the Philippines, add POEA fees of ~$1,500. On top of the package, most helpers also carry a loan for their own placement costs, which the employer pays first and recovers from her salary.
How many agencies offer each service, of the agency websites we read:
- transfer helpers (already working in Singapore): 278 agencies (64%)
- eldercare: 255 agencies (58%)
- fresh helpers (new to Singapore): 252 agencies (58%)
- childcare: 229 agencies (53%)
- work permit renewals and paperwork: 209 agencies (48%)
- help with direct hiring: 169 agencies (39%)
- home leave arrangements: 155 agencies (36%)
- training: 142 agencies (33%)
- helper insurance: 104 agencies (24%)
Packages with the same name can cover very different things. Before you pay, ask:
- What exactly is in the package, line by line?
- Is the air ticket, medical and insurance included?
- What's the replacement policy, and for how long?
- Are there any fees on top of the agency fee?
- Who pays for her flight home at the end?
- Is there a salary loan, and how is it repaid?
How reliable is the agency, and its helpers?
In the last 3 months, households left 551 Google reviews across 185 of these agencies. 40 of them (7%) gave 1 or 2 stars.
What households praise most
- Agencies are often praised for being helpful, patient, and professional throughout the entire hiring and renewal process.
- Responsiveness and clear communication, including detailed explanations and prompt replies, are frequently appreciated.
- Many households value agencies that provide suitable helpers matching their household needs and offer ongoing support.
What households complain about most
- Employers commonly complain about poor after-sales service, including unresponsiveness and delays in handling issues or refunds.
- Lack of transparency regarding fees, unclear contract terms, and hidden costs are frequent sources of frustration.
- Helpers sometimes do not meet the expected skills or experience promised by the agency, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Agencies are often criticized for inadequate vetting of helpers and failing to properly match helpers to employer expectations.
A few checks that might help:
- Check the agency's demerit points, if any, in MOM's Employment Agency Directory. Demerit points mean it has broken MOM's employment or agency rules before. Buyer beware.
- Upfront, give the agency as many of your requirements as possible, so its quote can be comprehensive. Then ask about each line item, and what you'd be paying to get.
- Confirm the agency is licensed in MOM's Employment Agency Directory, and check the licence number on its website matches.
- Read the agency's most recent Google reviews, not only its star rating: look at how it handled problems.
- Ask what happens if the placement doesn't work out: how many replacements, within how long, and at what cost.
- Ask to speak with the helper before you commit, and ask about her past employers.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a helper agency fee in Singapore?
Mostly $300 to $690, about $500 typical, among agencies that publish their fees (updated 30 Oct 2026).
Why does a helper from the Philippines cost more?
Philippine government processing (POEA, now the Department of Migrant Workers) adds to the package, about $1,500 at agencies that price it separately. What you get for it: a helper who typically speaks English well and, under the Philippine government's rules for household workers going abroad, holds TESDA's Domestic Work NC II certificate in household work (cleaning, laundry, cooking and food service). Ask the agency to show it.
Is a transfer helper more expensive than a fresh one?
Often, yes: a transfer helper already has Singapore experience, so her salary is usually higher, though you may save on training and the wait.
What should a helper agency package include?
Ask for it line by line: agency fee, air ticket, medical check-up, insurance, training, replacement policy, and any loan the helper repays from her salary.
How do I know if an agency is licensed?
Search the agency's name or licence number in MOM's Employment Agency Directory.
Can you check my quote?
Yes. WhatsApp QUOTE to 8130 3928 with a photo of your quote and we'll tell you if it's fair, free.
Get the full guide, or a second opinion on your quote
- check live agency prices for your needs.
- WhatsApp GOODPRICE to 8130 3928 for the full price guide (PDF), with the 6 questions to ask before you pay.
- Already have a quote? WhatsApp QUOTE to 8130 3928 with a photo of it, and we'll tell you if it's fair.
Related guides
- How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Live-In Domestic Helper In Singapore? Complete 2026 Guide For Households
- How To Conduct Effective Remote Domestic Helper Interviews In Singapore Step By Step Guide
- Singapore Domestic Helper Costs In 2026: Full Guide To Levies, Insurance And Hidden Household Expenses
How GoodHelp can help
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