Matching the level of help to the level of need
Not every family needs a nurse, and not every family is well served by a general helper either. The honest starting point is figuring out what kind of support is actually needed, daily presence and household support, hands-on personal care, or genuine nursing-level assistance, before looking at cost. Getting this wrong in either direction is common: hiring a general helper for needs that require real training, or paying for nurse-level support when what's actually needed is companionship and basic help.
Real monthly rates by experience level
| Role | What's covered | Monthly rate, from |
|---|---|---|
| FDW Housemaid | General household chores | S$500 |
| FDW Caregiver | Basic eldercare experience | S$550 |
| FDW Nursing Aide / Assistant Nurse | Min. 6 months HCA or Nursing Aide experience, plus at least 1 year overseas experience | S$750 |
| FDW Nurse | Registered nurse with overseas nursing experience | S$900 |
On top of the monthly salary, there's a one-time agency and processing fee (covering the work permit application, medical checkup, security bond, and related MOM requirements), which varies depending on whether the helper is a fresh hire, transferring from another employer, or coming from outside Singapore. This typically runs in the S$2,900–S$4,400 range all-in, with a S$1,600 refundable deposit on top. Exact figures shift with government fee schedules, so always confirm the current breakdown directly with the agency rather than budgeting off a number that might be a year old.
The levy concession most families don't know to ask for
If the domestic helper is caring for a Singapore Citizen aged 67 or above, or someone with a disability, the monthly Foreign Domestic Worker levy drops from S$300 to S$60, a saving of nearly S$3,000 a year. This concession is often granted automatically when the employed relative meets the age criteria, but it's worth confirming directly with the Ministry of Manpower rather than assuming it's been applied. A household can hold up to two such concessions.
Training a helper instead of hiring a new one
If there's already a trusted domestic helper in the household and the real issue is a skills gap rather than a presence gap, caregiver training courses are available, covering things like basic wound dressing, upper respiratory care, catheterisation care, stoma care, and NGT/PEG feeding. Course fees are typically S$200–S$380, but with the Caregiver Training Grant and SkillsFuture Credit applied, the out-of-pocket cost for eligible Singapore Citizens, PRs, and even the domestic helper themselves can come down to around S$10, subject to eligibility. This is often a more practical route than replacing a helper who's already trusted and familiar to the patient.
💡 Tip
The Home Caregiving Grant (up to S$600/month as of April 2026, for households with per capita income up to S$4,800) can be used flexibly, toward a helper's salary, professional home care, or care-related equipment. It's not tied to one specific use, apply once and direct the funds toward whichever combination of help actually fits your situation.
Where to actually look
For sourcing a domestic helper, caregiver, or nurse-level FDW with genuine elder-care or medical experience, or training an existing helper, iCare is a Singapore agency handling exactly this, hiring, training, and placement. This isn't Kenneth's own service, it's a separate business he's happy to point families toward, since it's genuinely useful and not something he offers himself.
What to check before committing to either route
• Confirm the care recipient's actual daily needs with their doctor or a medical social worker before deciding what level of helper is needed, this shouldn't be guessed • Ask any agency directly what training their caregivers have, and for what specific conditions • Confirm the levy concession has actually been applied, don't assume • Apply for the Home Caregiving Grant and Caregiver Training Grant early, processing can take several weeks
⚠️ Important
Rates and grant amounts here reflect figures current as of mid-2026, sourced from iCare's own 2026 rate card and MOH/AIC's published schemes. Both are updated periodically, always confirm current numbers directly with the agency or AIC before making financial decisions.
