- Check any maid agency for free on MOM's EA Directory: licence number, licence status, demerit points and track record.
- An agency with 12 or more demerit points is placed under MOM surveillance for 12 months. At 24 points its licence can be suspended or revoked.
- MOM's retention rate is the % of helpers placed who stayed with the same employer for at least 1 year. Higher is better.
- If the job ends within the first 6 months, the agency must offer a refund of at least 50% of its service fee (conditions apply).
- Contract dispute with an agency? Go to AEAS mediation first, then the Small Claims Tribunal.
Friends, most of us pick a maid agency the easy way.
Nearest to the MRT, a friend's recommendation, or the first friendly face at the counter.
Very few of us check the licence... or know what a demerit point is.
Singapore has hundreds of licensed maid agencies.
Most are decent. A few will cost you months of stress.
If you want the basics on what agencies do and what they charge, read our guide to maid agencies in Singapore.
This one is about how to vet one before you pay a cent.
How Do I Check if a Maid Agency Is Licensed in Singapore?
Use MOM's Employment Agencies and Personnel Search (the EA Directory).
It takes about two minutes.
Tip: ask for the licence number on the first call. A good agency gives it straight away.
What Do MOM Demerit Points Mean for a Maid Agency?
MOM issues demerit points when an agency breaches the Employment Agencies Act, its Rules or its licence conditions.
Each point stays live for 12 months (while the agency is under 12 points).
Serious cases, like abuse of workers or illegal deployment, can lead straight to licence revocation.
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Demerit points | What MOM does | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Nothing | Clean record for the past year |
| 4 | Security deposit raised to $40,000 | Ask what happened |
| 8 | Security deposit raised to $60,000 | Repeated breaches. Be careful |
| 12 | $10,000 forfeited, 12 months surveillance, Work Permit Online access suspended for at least 3 months | Your permit application could be delayed |
| 18 | Further $15,000 forfeited, surveillance continues | Walk away |
| 24 | Licence suspended or revoked | It may not be able to finish your case |
Source: MOM, Demerit points system for employment agencies. A few points on a big, busy agency can be paperwork slips. Ask them to explain.
Which Track Record Numbers Should I Look At on the EA Directory?
Compare two or three agencies side by side on these numbers.
Then read reviews from past employers, on Google and on SearchMaid listings.
Look for how the agency handled problems, since every agency looks good when nothing goes wrong.
What Should a Maid Agency Contract Include?
Read the service agreement before you pay any deposit.
Ask for these in writing:
- Itemised fees: service fee, placement loan, insurance, medical, permit fees. One lump sum hides things.
- Refund terms if the helper never arrives, or the job ends early.
- Replacement terms: how many, within what period, and whether a fresh service fee applies.
- Placement loan clause: what happens to the outstanding loan if she leaves early. MOM tells employers to rely on the EA contract here.
- Advance salary: how much, and whether it comes back if things fall apart.
In 2025 an employer wrote to Lianhe Zaobao after paying a $2,550 fee plus three months' advance salary, then losing most of it when the replacement helper didn't work out.
MOM's reply: the 50% refund rule applies, loan refunds depend on the contract, and disputes go to mediation.
The contract you sign is your main protection, so read every line of it.
Does a Maid Agency Have to Give Me a Refund?
Full rules here: Can I get a refund if my maid leaves within 6 months?
Agencies that offer more than the legal 50% are confident in their matching. That is worth noting when you compare.
What Are the Red Flags of a Bad Maid Agency?
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| No licence number | Unlicensed agency work is illegal, and you get no MOM protection. |
| Price far below market | The cost may be shifted to the helper as a heavy loan, which leaves her in debt and more likely to want out. |
| "No refund" policy | Goes against the 50% refund rule for early terminations. |
| Vague, verbal-only terms | If it is not in writing, mediation can't help you. |
| Pressure to pay today | Good candidates go fast, but a good agency still lets you read the contract. |
| No interview with the helper | You should be able to speak to her (video call is fine) before you commit. |
What Questions Should I Ask a Maid Agency Before Signing?
- What is your EA licence number, and are you registered as personnel?
- How much is the helper's placement loan, and how many months of salary deductions is that?
- How many free replacements, within how long, and what fees apply after that?
- What is your refund beyond the legal 50%?
- Can I speak to her previous employer, or see her real work history?
- What training has she done, and for which tasks (infant care, elderly care, cooking)?
- Who do I call when things go wrong in month three?
Be clear on your own needs first: caregiving or cleaning, a baby or a bedbound parent.
The best agency for a newborn might be a poor fit for dementia care.
What Can I Do if I Have a Dispute With My Maid Agency?
Compare helpers from many licensed agencies in one place.
Shortlist, then run the checks above before you sign.
Browse SearchmaidP.S. The friendly face at the counter might run the best agency in Singapore.
Luck is a terrible hiring strategy though.
Two minutes on the EA Directory costs you nothing, which beats any agency fee.
