Best Maid & Domestic Helper Agencies in Singapore (2026): 6 Top MOM-Licensed Agencies Ranked
Whether you are welcoming a newborn infant, seeking compassionate eldercare for aging parents, or balancing demanding corporate work with running a household, hiring a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) is one of the most critical household decisions a family can make. Yet navigating Singapore's maid agency landscape is fraught with pitfalls: opaque placement fees, exaggerated resumes, and uncooperative replacement policies. You need to find an MOM-licensed maid agency with high retention rates, low demerit points, ethical hiring practices, and transparent contracts. This guide ranks six of Singapore's most trusted, accredited employment agencies.
⚡ Find it fast: 2026 Singapore Maid Agency & Helper Cost Benchmarks at a glance
- Agency service fee (employer cost): SGD 1,200–2,800 (Includes MOM work permit processing, medical screening, SIP course, entry approval, and airport pickup).
- Helper placement loan (helper deduction): SGD 0–2,500 (Ethical agencies like We Are Caring charge SGD 0 loan to helpers; traditional agencies charge 2 to 4 months salary deduction).
- Monthly helper salary (Fresh): SGD 500–650 (Varies by nationality: Indonesian, Filipino, or Myanmar, according to home government minimum wage benchmarks).
- Monthly helper salary (Experienced Transfer): SGD 650–900+ (Reflects verified infant care, cooking ability, and specialized dementia/eldercare experience).
- MOM monthly levy: SGD 60 (Concessionary rate for families with young children <16 or seniors >67) vs SGD 300 (Standard rate).
- MOM security bond & mandatory medical insurance: SGD 350–500 (Covers SGD 60,000 annual hospitalization insurance + SGD 5,000 security bond guarantee).
- Mandatory rest day rule: At least 1 rest day per month must be non-compensable under MOM statutory law.

Finding an MOM-licensed employment agency ensures verified candidate screening, ethical zero-placement-loan options, and transparent replacement warranties.
Understanding MOM Licensing Standards & Key Agency Metrics in Singapore
The Ministry of Manpower strictly regulates employment agencies under the Employment Agencies Act. When evaluating agencies, smart employers look past shiny marketing brochures and check three objective statistical metrics published on the MOM EA Directory:
1. Retention Rate
The percentage of helpers placed who stay with the same employer for at least one full year. The Singapore national average is around 50%. Top-tier ethical agencies consistently achieve retention rates above 65% to 75%.
2. Transfer Rate
The proportion of helpers who request a transfer or are returned to the agency within six months. Lower transfer rates indicate thorough matching, realistic pre-employment expectations, and effective conflict mediation.
3. Demerit Points & Infringements
MOM issues demerit points to agencies that breach licensing conditions (such as misleading fee disclosures or withholding helper documents). Always confirm your prospective agency holds zero active demerit points.
Top 6 Maid & Domestic Helper Agencies in Singapore Ranked
We Are Caring (Ethical Hiring)
Pioneer ethical recruitment agency in Singapore offering zero-placement-debt hiring, digital mobile matching, and industry-leading retention
| Location | 105 Cecil Street, The Octagon, #06-01, Singapore 069534 (Central CBD) |
|---|---|
| Helper Placement Loan | ✅ SGD 0 (Zero debt) — Helpers pay zero agency placement fees, preventing debt bondage |
| MOM Retention Rate | Consistently above 70% (Well above Singapore's national average of ~50%) |
| Candidate Sourcing | Experienced transfer helpers and pre-vetted fresh candidates from the Philippines & Indonesia |
| Hiring Experience | Seamless mobile app with full video interviews, certified skill badges, and transparent contract tracking |
| Website | wearecaring.com → |
| Find it on map | Find it on map |
We Are Caring has fundamentally disrupted Singapore's domestic helper agency industry by pioneering a completely debt-free recruitment model. Traditional agencies routinely subject incoming helpers to crushing placement loans—deducting 3 to 6 months of their salary—which often creates immense financial distress and early resignation. In contrast, We Are Caring charges helpers zero placement fees, ensuring they arrive motivated, stress-free, and dedicated to their work from day one.
Their hiring experience is modern and transparent: employers browse verified digital profiles on a mobile app, review standardized video interviews, and schedule direct video calls. Employers also benefit from complimentary 12-month contract mediation support and an MOM-recognized retention rate surpassing 70%.
Nation Employment
Singapore's largest and most established agency since 1993, backed by dedicated overseas training centres and specialized eldercare academies
| Location | 135 Jurong Gateway Rd, #04-355, Singapore 600135 + Branches at Tampines & Ang Mo Kio |
|---|---|
| Estimated Agency Fee | SGD 1,500–2,800 (Depending on nationality and candidate experience level) |
| Track Record | Founded in 1993 (MOM License No. 12C5507 / 09C5332); over 30 years of operation with 100,000+ placements |
| Specialized Training | In-house Eldercare & Infant Care Training Academy certified by healthcare professionals |
| Replacement Policy | Tiered replacement packages with structured counseling and mediation support |
| Website | nation.sg → |
| Find it on map | Find it on map |
With over three decades of heritage, Nation Employment is an institution in Singapore's household staffing sector. As the first employment agency in Singapore to be ISO-9001 certified, Nation operates dedicated overseas training facilities where candidates receive hands-on instruction in electrical home appliances, food hygiene, baby bathing, and English conversational basics before arriving in Singapore.
Nation is particularly renowned for its specialized Eldercare Training Academy, where helpers are trained in elder mobility transfers, wheelchair handling, dementia patience, and basic physical therapy support. For busy families managing aging parents with chronic medical conditions, Nation's established infrastructure and extensive candidate database offer unmatched depth.
Universal Employment Agency
Over 35 years at Lucky Plaza, highly specialized in experienced transfer helpers and rapid urgent deployment
| Location | 304 Orchard Road, #01-97 / #04-56 Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863 |
|---|---|
| Placement Specialty | Experienced transfer helpers already based in Singapore with verified employment histories |
| MOM Track Record | Established in 1986 (MOM License No. 87C4847); high placement volume and strong compliance record |
| Turnaround Time | Rapid deployment (often within 1 to 2 weeks for transfer helpers with valid work passes) |
| Nationalities | Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers with local cooking and housekeeping experience |
| Website | universal.sg → |
| Find it on map | Find it on map |
Operating continuously from Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road since 1986, Universal Employment Agency is one of Singapore's most reliable specialists for experienced transfer domestic helpers. When an employer urgently needs household support due to a sudden medical emergency or an unexpected helper departure, waiting two to three months for an overseas recruit is simply not viable.
Universal excels at expediting transfers: they maintain an active roster of experienced helpers whose existing employers are relocating or whose contracts are completing. Their veteran consultants facilitate in-person interviews at their Orchard office, verify candidate reference letters, and handle transfer documentation with MOM efficiently, often achieving deployment within one to two weeks.
Homekeeper Maid Agency
Established islandwide agency since 1998 with dedicated local training centres for infant care, eldercare, and local cooking
| Location | 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-60 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, Singapore 588179 + Branches at Ang Mo Kio, Pasir Ris (Elias Mall), Potong Pasir & Yishun |
|---|---|
| Estimated Agency Fee | SGD 1,400–2,400 (Inclusive of work permit application, medical check-up, and insurance bond) |
| MOM Track Record | Operating since 1998 (MOM License No. 09C5350 / 09C5352) with over 70,000 families served |
| Skills Training | Hands-on simulation training in Singapore HDB/condo housekeeping, Chinese/Malay cooking, and newborn care |
| Post-Placement Care | Dedicated customer care team providing 2-year post-placement counseling and mediation support |
| Website | homekeepermaidagency.com → |
| Find it on map | Find it on map |
Serving Singaporean households since 1998, Homekeeper Maid Agency has built a strong reputation across five heartland branches from Bukit Timah to Pasir Ris. Rather than relying solely on overseas partner assessments, Homekeeper puts candidates through structured onboarding covering Singapore household safety, modern kitchen appliances, infant hygiene, and local culinary staples.
Families particularly value Homekeeper's structured post-placement support system. Their multi-lingual counseling team actively mediates communication or cultural misunderstandings during the critical first 90 days of deployment, helping both first-time employers and helpers build a stable, harmonious working relationship.
Eden Grace Maid Agency
Values-driven agency known for holistic candidate character screening, pastoral care, and high retention rates
| Location | 18 Sin Ming Lane, #07-38 Midview City, Singapore 573960 & 300 Tampines Avenue 5, #09-02 Tampines Junction, Singapore 529653 |
|---|---|
| Estimated Agency Fee | SGD 1,600–2,600 (Comprehensive package with ongoing character coaching) |
| Recruitment Philosophy | Rigorous character profiling, background checks, and pastoral emotional support (MOM License No. 13C6831) |
| Retention Record | Consistently recognized with high MOM retention rates above industry averages |
| Mediation Support | Dedicated counseling department providing monthly welfare check-ins and conflict coaching |
| Website | edengracemaids.com → |
| Find it on map | Find it on map |
Eden Grace Maid Agency takes a distinctly holistic, values-based approach to domestic helper recruitment. Recognizing that a domestic helper lives under your roof and interacts daily with your most precious family members, Eden Grace screens candidates not just for technical cleaning skills, but for core integrity, emotional resilience, and teachable attitudes.
Their team conducts extensive interviews and assessments to understand each candidate's family background and motivations. After placement, Eden Grace runs monthly fellowship and development programs, giving helpers a healthy social community and emotional outlet. This proactive pastoral care translates directly into lower stress, fewer runaway incidents, and significantly higher retention.
Island Maids
Extensive 12-branch islandwide network with an in-house Training & Integration Program (TIP) for infant and eldercare
| Location | Blk 716 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, #01-4030, Singapore 560716 + 11 branches (Bedok, Jurong, Tiong Bahru, Tampines, Punggol, Yishun, Hougang, Bukit Timah) |
|---|---|
| Estimated Agency Fee | SGD 1,400–2,400 (Covers MOM work permit, medical screening, insurance, and training onboarding) |
| MOM Track Record | Licensed under MOM (License No. 13C6728 / 16C8413) with high placement volume across Indonesian, Filipino, and Myanmar helpers |
| Key Strengths | Dedicated Island Maids Training School covering infant care, eldercare, and basic English communication |
| In-House Support | Approved hostel lodging, direct maid transport fleet, passport/work permit renewal, and home leave processing |
| Website | islandmaids.com.sg → |
| Find it on map | Find it on map |
With 12 neighborhood branches spanning Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Jurong, Tiong Bahru, Tampines, and Punggol, Island Maids offers unmatched heartland accessibility for families who prefer face-to-face consultations close to home. They recruit across Indonesian, Filipino, and Myanmar nationalities, maintaining a large pool of both fresh and transfer candidates ready for video or in-person interviews.
A standout advantage is the Island Maids Training School, which runs a structured Training & Integration Program (TIP) alongside dedicated Infant Care and Elder Care courses. They also operate their own transport fleet, approved lodging facility, and administrative renewal desk, making two-year contract renewals, embassy passport extensions, and home-leave logistics effortless for busy working parents.
At-a-Glance Comparison: Best Maid Agencies in Singapore
All fee benchmarks reflect typical 2026 published agency packages. Helper monthly salary varies based on nationality, skills certification, and years of Singapore experience.
| Agency Name | Core Specialty | Helper Placement Loan | Est. Agency Fee | Primary Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| We Are Caring | Ethical hiring & digital matching | SGD 0 (Zero debt) | SGD 1,600–2,400 | 70%+ retention, mobile app video hiring |
| Nation Employment | Scale & specialized eldercare | Traditional loan | SGD 1,500–2,800 | In-house Eldercare Academy, islandwide branches |
| Universal Employment | Experienced transfer helpers | Transfer rate | SGD 1,400–2,200 | 35+ yrs Lucky Plaza, rapid 1-2 week deployment |
| Homekeeper Maid Agency | Culinary, infant & eldercare training | Standard loan | SGD 1,400–2,400 | 70,000+ placements, 2-year mediation care |
| Eden Grace | Values-based character profiling | Standard loan | SGD 1,600–2,600 | Pastoral counseling, high retention, welfare support |
| Island Maids | 12-branch network & TIP school | Standard loan | SGD 1,400–2,400 | In-house Training School, full renewal/transport desk |
*MOM Regulatory & Employment Disclaimer: Content published on FindIt.sg is intended strictly for independent local discovery, consumer guidance, and household hiring navigation. The employment of Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) is legally governed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Always verify an employment agency's active license status, retention rate, and demerit points on the official MOM EA Directory (mom.gov.sg/eadirectory) prior to signing service contracts or paying deposits.*
How to Find & Hire the Right Domestic Helper in Singapore (Checklist)
Hiring a helper who integrates smoothly into your household requires methodical preparation. Follow this four-step due diligence checklist:
1. Check MOM EA Directory First
Never rely solely on an agent's verbal claims. Search the agency on mom.gov.sg/eadirectory to review their objective 1-year retention rate, transfer percentage, and ensure they carry zero active demerit points.
2. Conduct Scenario-Based Video Interviews
Instead of generic questions like "Can you cook?", ask real-life scenarios: "If the baby has a fever and starts crying while dinner is on the stove, what do you do first?" Observe their communication style, patience, and honesty.
3. Understand Replacement Terms
Clarify in writing what happens if the helper does not work out within the first 6 months. How many replacements are allowed? What is the administrative fee per replacement, and what happens to remaining placement loans?
4. Clarify Rest Days & Phone Rules Early
Set clear mutual expectations on day one regarding mobile phone usage during working hours, room privacy, rest day arrangements (including the mandatory monthly non-compensable rest day), and living space rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify an employment agency's official MOM license and retention rate in Singapore?
You can verify any maid agency in seconds using the official Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Employment Agency (EA) Directory at mom.gov.sg/eadirectory. The directory publishes each agency's active license status, total placement volume, retention rate (percentage of helpers placed who stay with the same employer for at least one year; national average is approximately 50%), transfer rate, and any demerit points issued for regulatory breaches.
What is the difference between hiring a fresh helper versus an experienced transfer helper?
A 'fresh helper' has no prior domestic work experience in Singapore and is recruited directly from countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, or Myanmar. While their monthly salary expectation is lower (SGD 500–650) and they bring fewer pre-existing habits, they require patience, language onboarding, and attendance at MOM's mandatory Settling-In Programme (SIP). A 'transfer helper' is already working in Singapore and available due to contract completion or mutual release. They offer proven track records, familiar cooking skills, and faster deployment, but command higher salaries (SGD 650–900+) and require thorough reference checks with their current employer.
What are the rules regarding mandatory rest days for domestic helpers in Singapore?
Under MOM regulations implemented in January 2023, all employers must provide their Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) with at least one mandatory rest day per month that CANNOT be compensated away with salary. For the remaining rest days in the month, if an employer requests the helper to work on her rest day and she mutually agrees in writing, the employer must compensate her with either a replacement rest day within the same month or at least one day's basic wage.
How much is the monthly MOM levy for domestic helpers, and who qualifies for concessions?
The standard MOM monthly foreign domestic worker levy is SGD 300 per month. However, Singapore Citizen households qualify for the concessionary levy rate of SGD 60 per month if they reside with an eligible family member: a child or grandchild who is a Singapore citizen below 16 years old, an elderly parent or grandparent who is a Singapore citizen aged 67 or above, or a person with disabilities certified by a registered healthcare professional.
What should I look out for in an agency's replacement warranty agreement?
A reliable maid agency should offer a clear, written replacement guarantee—typically valid for 6 to 12 months, allowing 1 to 3 helper replacements if the placement does not work out. Carefully check the fine print: confirm the administrative replacement fee (usually SGD 200–500 to cover work permit cancellation and new application fees), how long the agency takes to provide shortlisted candidates, and whether remaining helper placement loans are transferred or refunded.