Whether it's a new baby, an ageing parent or just a packed schedule, many families look at getting extra help at home. There isn't one right answer, so here's a plain-English look at the main options in Singapore, what they roughly cost, and the government support that may apply.

Option 1: A live-in migrant domestic worker (MDW)

This is the option most people think of first. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), you pay a monthly levy of S$300 for your first helper and S$450 for each further helper, due by the 17th of the following month. A S$5,000 security bond is required for each helper, except for Malaysian helpers, and first-time employers must attend the Employers' Orientation Programme.

On top of that are the salary, agency fee and insurance. MoneySmart's estimate is S$7,500 to S$10,500 in the first year, with salaries of about S$500 to S$900 or more depending on experience and nationality, and agency fees of S$1,000 to S$3,500. These are estimates, not official figures, and your actual costs will vary. MoneySmart also notes that the required insurance is at least S$60,000 for medical expenses and S$60,000 for personal accident, but please confirm the current rule with MOM.

Could you pay a lower levy?

MOM offers a concessionary levy of S$60 a month if there is an eligible person in the household:

  • A Singapore Citizen child below 16
  • An elderly person aged 67 or above (conditions apply if the elderly person is a PR)
  • A person with disabilities who needs help with at least one activity of daily living (this needs an application through the Agency for Integrated Care, AIC)

Only one helper per eligible person qualifies, up to 2 per household. For elderly family members, both your NRIC addresses must match and the person must be listed as a household member on MOM's FDW eService.

Option 2: Part-time cleaners

If you only need help with housework, a part-time cleaner can be cheaper and more flexible, and there's no levy or bond. Rates quoted in a 2026 Sassy Mama roundup range from about S$16 to S$30 per hour depending on the provider, and Helpling lists rates from about S$21 per hour. Check whether GST is added and whether there's a minimum number of hours. A 2019 Seedly guide notes agency cleaners cost a little more but can send a replacement, while freelancers are usually cheaper but may not be insured, so ask about insurance either way.

Option 3: Childcare and student care

If your main need is looking after children, centre-based care is another route. According to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), all Singapore Citizen children in ECDA-licensed infant or childcare centres get a Basic Subsidy. For a working main applicant, that's S$600 a month for infant care (2 to 18 months) and S$300 for childcare (18 months to 6 years). An Additional Subsidy of up to S$710 (infant) or S$467 (childcare) is available if the household income is S$12,000 or below, or the per capita income is S$3,000 or below for households of five or more. The preschool helps with the application at enrolment.

For primary and lower secondary school children aged 7 to 14, the Ministry of Social and Family Development's Student Care Fee Assistance covers working families. The gross household income ceiling is S$4,500 (4 or fewer members) now, rising to S$6,500 from January 2027.

Option 4: Help for caring for seniors or family members with disabilities

AIC lists several care options: care at home, day care centres, nursing homes and hospices, and centre-based care on weekends, alongside the MDW route. Financial help includes:

  • A Singapore Citizen child below 16
  • An elderly person aged 67 or above (conditions apply if the elderly person is a PR)
  • A person with disabilities who needs help with at least one activity of daily living (this needs an application through the Agency for Integrated Care, AIC)

Which one fits?

  • A Singapore Citizen child below 16
  • An elderly person aged 67 or above (conditions apply if the elderly person is a PR)
  • A person with disabilities who needs help with at least one activity of daily living (this needs an application through the Agency for Integrated Care, AIC)

Good to know

Compare the total monthly cost, not just the salary or hourly rate
Check whether you qualify for the S$60 levy before deciding
Use MOM-licensed employment agencies and read the contract carefully
Don't assume PRs and other residents qualify for citizen-only subsidies

Rules and amounts change, so confirm with MOM, AIC, ECDA or MSF before you commit.