Can I Hire a Helper Without a Maid Agency?

In Singapore, agencies are highly recommended in the hiring process for employers.

While it’s technically possible to hire a helper independently, agencies help make the process much smoother and clearer. The service fees charged by maid agencies reflect the work involved in navigating paperwork, government regulations and other administrative tasks.

Part-time vs. Full-time Maid Agencies in Singapore

Maid agencies fall into two main categories: full-time and part-time agencies.

Full-time maid agencies handle live-in domestic helpers who usually work under a two-year employment contract. These helpers live with the employer in their household, and assist with daily chores, childcare, or eldercare.

Part-time maid agencies, on the other hand, provide non–live-in helpers who work on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Their services are ideal for families who require help on a more regular but less frequent basis.

Certain part-time maid agencies also specialise in confinement or childcare nannies who focus on caring for newborns and supporting mothers during the first few months after childbirth.

However, with the growing demands of Singaporean families, full-time maid agencies continue to be the dominant choice for most employers.

What Exactly Does A Maid Agency Do?

Agencies aid in the process of engaging a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW), otherwise known as Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW), whether in the case of a transfer maid currently in Singapore or a new maid currently residing overseas.

In the case of a transfer maid who is already in Singapore, she finishes or terminates her contract, she is permitted to remain in Singapore for up to 2 weeks before having to return home. This short window makes finding a new employer challenging. Without an agency, there is no easy way for helpers to advertise their availability or connect with a potential employer in time.

In the case of a new maid currently residing overseas, the process becomes even more complex. For an employer to bring a MDW to Singapore, there are numerous hurdles: arranging travel, preparing documents, securing approvals from both her home country and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and ensuring compliance with various regulations.

The process can be confusing and challenging, which is where a maid agency’s experience and expertise become essential.

How Do Maid Agencies Support and Train Their Helpers?

Maid agencies work closely with partner recruiters in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, and India. These overseas partners help identify suitable candidates and carry out basic screening to ensure that applicants are ready for domestic work in Singapore. Many agencies also provide basic training before deployment.

Helpers from rural areas often have limited exposure to modern household appliances, have differing hygiene standards, and may lack proficient communication in English. Training covers practical household skills, hygiene, and local expectations — reducing culture shock and helping both employers and helpers adjust to one another more smoothly.

Larger vs. Smaller Agencies—Which Is Better For Me?:

Larger maid agencies with a more established presence typically have more profiles to choose from, from elderly care maids to childcare nannies, making them a better match for employers who require variety. Smaller agencies, on the other hand, tend to know each candidate personally and can often facilitate better matches between employer and helper.

What Happens if Things Don’t Work Out? Can the Agency Help?:

An agency’s job doesn’t stop once a helper is placed.

Adjusting to a new living situation can prove stressful, for both employer and helper.

Agencies provide counselling and mediation services when problems arise; if issues can’t be resolved, the agency arranges a replacement. The number of replacements allowed depends on the terms agreed prior between employer and agency.

If the relationship between a helper and an employer breaks down, and the two are no longer able to continue working together, the agency must act quickly to find a replacement. Otherwise, the helper will be forced to return home within 2 weeks, leading to significant financial losses for both her and the agency.

It is therefore important that maid agencies invest time and effort in matching candidates with employers carefully, supporting both sides after deployment.

How Do Agency Fees Work? Who Pays What?

Maid agencies charge a service fee to both employers and helpers.

Employers pay their portion of agency fees up front.

Helpers, however, with their limited income, usually do not have the means to pay the agency fees up front. In most cases, employers help to advance these fees, meaning they pay the agency on behalf of the helper first, and then recover the amount gradually from the helper’s salary during a stipulated period, usually over a term of 4-6 months.

Summary

Maid agencies play a crucial role in Singapore’s domestic employment system.

While not technically required in the process of engaging a helper, wIth their industry expertise, they do handle the complex logistics, ensure legal compliance, and help both employers and helpers work in harmony.

For most households, engaging an agency isn’t a matter of convenience, but one of necessity.