- Yes, you can hire a helper without an agency. You apply yourself on MOM's FDW eService with Singpass.
- First-time employers must finish the Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP) at least 2 working days before applying.
- Online EOP costs about $30 to $36 and takes 2 hours.
- New Filipino helpers cannot be hired fully direct. The Philippines requires a licensed agency and an MWO contract check.
- Direct hire is easiest for transfer helpers already in Singapore and for renewing your own helper.
- You still pay the $5,000 security bond, insurance and $300 monthly levy (first helper, no concession).
Friends, agency fees can run into the thousands.
So it is fair to ask whether you can skip the middleman and hire a helper yourself.
The answer is yes... with a few big catches that depend on where your helper comes from.
Here is how direct hiring works in Singapore, what it costs, and when an agency is still the smarter route.
Is It Legal to Hire a Maid Without an Agency in Singapore?
Yes.
MOM does not run a separate "direct hire scheme".
There is one Work Permit application, and two ways to submit it:
MOM's own hiring guide puts it simply: direct hiring could be more affordable, but it needs more effort from you, such as sourcing the helper yourself.
Who Can Hire a Helper Directly?
You (the employer) must:
- Be 21 years old and above
- Not be an undischarged bankrupt
- Have the mental capacity to carry out your duties as an employer
- Show the financial ability to pay, house and look after her (MOM also considers your caregiving needs, such as young kids or elderly parents)
- Complete the EOP if this is your first helper
Your helper must:
- Be female, aged 23 to below 50 at the time of application
- Come from an approved source country, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia or Malaysia
- Have at least 8 years of formal education with a recognised certificate
- Attend the 1-day Settling-in Programme (SIP) if she is new to Singapore, before she can start work
What Is the EOP and How Do I Sign Up?
The Employers' Orientation Programme is MOM's compulsory course for first-time employers.
It covers your responsibilities, her rights, and how to keep the working relationship smooth.
Seniors 60+ with physical discomfort, people with chronic illness or disability, and new or expectant mothers may be allowed to appoint a representative to attend. Fees from MOM's EOP page, current at time of writing.
How Do I Hire a Maid Directly, Step by Step?
Can I Direct Hire a Maid From the Philippines?
This is where most direct hire plans hit a wall.
Singapore lets you apply yourself.
Her home country decides how she is allowed to leave.
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Your situation | Fully direct? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Renewing your current helper | Yes | Renew on the FDW eService with Singpass. |
| Transfer helper already in Singapore | Usually yes | She is here, with a Singapore work record you can check. |
| New helper from the Philippines | No | Philippine law bars hiring domestic workers without a licensed agency (exemptions cover diplomats and similar). You can pick her yourself, then an MWO-accredited Singapore agency processes it. |
| New helper from Indonesia | Not on your own | Indonesian placements go through licensed recruitment channels on her side. |
| New helper from other countries | Check first | Ask her country's embassy in Singapore about exit rules before you apply. |
Rules set by source countries change. Confirm with the embassy or the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) before committing. For the full Filipino route (video call, MWO contract check, $650 minimum salary), see our Filipino helper guide on Searchmaid.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Maid Directly?
The government costs are the same either way.
What you save is the agency fee... and, for some nationalities, the placement loan your helper would otherwise repay from her salary.
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Cost item | Direct hire | Via agency |
|---|---|---|
| Agency fee | $0 | Varies by agency |
| EOP (first-time employer) | $30 to $76 | $30 to $76 |
| Work Permit application + issuance | Small MOM admin fees | Small MOM admin fees |
| Security bond | $5,000 (usually via insurer guarantee) | $5,000 (usually via insurer guarantee) |
| Medical + accident insurance | Required | Required |
| Monthly levy | $300 / $450 / $60 concession | $300 / $450 / $60 concession |
| Helper's placement loan | None | Common for some nationalities (none allowed for Filipinos) |
Levy: $300 for the first helper, $450 for each additional one, $60 with an approved concession. Insurance: medical cover with an annual claim limit of at least $60,000 and personal accident cover of at least $60,000; you cannot pass the cost to her.
What Are the Risks of Hiring Without an Agency?
Want the full side-by-side on what agencies actually do for you?
Read our guide to maid agencies in Singapore, their services and benefits.
Should I Hire Directly or Use an Agency?
Direct hiring tends to suit you if:
- You are renewing a helper you already trust
- You found a transfer helper with Singapore experience and good references (shorter training, she knows local ways)
- You have time for interviews and Singpass paperwork
- You want her to start without a placement loan eating her first months of pay
An agency tends to suit you if:
- You want a new helper from the Philippines or Indonesia
- You need someone quickly, or need specialised care for a senior or baby
- You prefer a replacement guarantee and someone to call when problems come up
Compare helpers from 200+ licensed Singapore agencies in one place.
Filter by nationality, experience and skills, then shortlist for free.
Browse SearchmaidP.S. Direct hiring saves you the agency fee, and it hands you the job of HR manager, background checker and dispute mediator. Some families love that. Others discover they would happily pay someone else to read the FDW eService FAQ. Whatever. Either way, start the EOP early.
