If you want the best Filipino maid agency in Singapore, you are in the majority. Filipino helpers are the single most common choice among Singapore families, and the reason is usually one word: English. Strong English makes a Filipino helper a natural fit for households with young children who need help with homework, or with elderly parents who need someone to communicate clearly with doctors and pharmacists.
I have spent a lot of time researching how the maid industry here actually works: how MOM licenses agencies and publishes their retention and transfer data, and how the source-country embassies, not the agencies, set the salary floors. This guide is built on that research, not on marketing copy.
Below are nine agencies I would trust to source a Filipino helper, plus the context that genuinely matters: the embassy salary floor, why English fluency pushes the price up, and how a Filipino helper compares to an Indonesian or Myanmar one. If you have not settled on nationality yet, my guide to the best maid agencies in Singapore covers the full field.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Filipino helpers are the most popular choice in Singapore, prized for strong English, which suits childcare, tutoring, and eldercare communication.
- 2 The Philippine Embassy sets a minimum salary, which in 2026 is around S$600 or more a month.
- 3 Filipino helpers usually sit at the top of the salary band, so expect to pay more than for an Indonesian or Myanmar helper.
- 4 Many are Catholic and will want their weekly rest day, often a Sunday, for church.
- 5 Always verify the agency is MOM-licensed and check its retention and transfer rates first.
Why families choose a Filipino helper
Filipino helpers have been the default choice for Singapore households for decades. A few reasons come up over and over:
- English fluency. This is the big one. A Filipino helper can usually help a child with reading and homework, follow detailed instructions, and communicate confidently with doctors, teachers, and delivery staff.
- Childcare and eldercare. Many have prior experience with both, and the language ability makes that care easier to supervise and trust.
- Established support networks. The large Filipino community here means a new helper settles in with a ready-made network, which often helps with morale and retention.
- Cultural familiarity. Decades of placements mean Filipino helpers and Singapore households tend to know what to expect from each other.
The trade-off is cost. That same English fluency and experience puts Filipino helpers at the top of the salary band. If your priority is a strong communicator for childcare or eldercare, it is usually money well spent. If budget is tighter, an Indonesian or Myanmar helper may suit you better.
How much does a Filipino maid cost in Singapore (2026)?
Filipino helpers command the highest salaries of the main nationalities, so budget for that. Here is the realistic first-year picture in 2026:
| Cost item | Indicative amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Agency fee (new hire or transfer) | S$1,200–3,000 |
| Monthly salary | S$600–800+ |
| Monthly levy (standard) | S$300 |
| Monthly levy (concessionary) | S$60 |
| Security bond and insurance (per year) | S$250–600 |
| Settling-in Programme (first-timers) | S$75 |
| Estimated first-year total | S$15,000–20,000 |
The Philippine Embassy sets a minimum salary for its domestic workers, which in 2026 is around S$600 a month or higher, and experienced helpers negotiate well above it. A reputable agency will not place a Filipino helper below that floor. As with any nationality, a transfer maid already in Singapore is usually cheaper to bring on than a fresh overseas hire.
Filipino versus Indonesian and Myanmar helpers
The honest summary: you are mostly paying for English and experience. A Filipino helper typically has the strongest English of the three main nationalities, which is why families with school-age children or elderly parents lean that way. An Indonesian helper often communicates better in Malay-speaking and halal households and sits a little lower on salary. A Myanmar helper is usually the most budget-friendly and is a common choice for eldercare and housekeeping.
None of this decides the individual in front of you. I have seen quiet, brilliant Filipino helpers and outgoing, capable Indonesian ones, and vice versa. Use nationality to narrow the search, then judge the person: her experience, her references, and how she handles the interview. A good agency will push you to do exactly that rather than rush you to a quick match.
1. Green Employment
Green Employment holds accreditation from the Embassy of the Philippines, which is a direct signal of the quality of its Filipino sourcing channel. Combined with its Embassy of Indonesia accreditation, it is one of the cleaner-credentialed agencies for families who care about where their helper actually comes from.
The agency is built around first-time employers, guided by a Love and Compassion philosophy that is backed by hard numbers: a placement volume above 300, a transfer rate under 0.4 percent, and a 4.9-star Google rating across its Toa Payoh and Serangoon branches. If you want a Filipino helper and patient guidance through every step, Green is where I would start.
Website: greenemployment.sg
Location: Toa Payoh and Serangoon
Track record: Embassy of the Philippines accredited, sub-0.4% transfer rate, 4.9-star Google rating
Best for: First-time employers who want embassy-grade Filipino sourcing and careful guidance.
2. JForce Employment Service
JForce has spent more than a decade placing helpers with Singapore families and sources experienced Filipino helpers alongside Indonesian, Myanmar, and Cambodian ones. Licensed by MOM (licence 14C717) and rated 4.9 on Google, it covers the full range of needs from housekeeping and cooking to childcare and elderly care.
The thing I keep coming back to is the transparency: JForce publishes helper salaries by nationality, with Filipino helpers typically in the S$580 to S$800 range, and manages the whole process end to end. With branches in Boon Keng, Ang Mo Kio, and Jurong East plus a quick WhatsApp line, you get straight answers. A trusted all-rounder with no hard sell.
Website: jforce.com.sg
Location: Boon Keng, Ang Mo Kio, and Jurong East
Track record: 4.9-star Google rating, MOM licence 14C717, 10+ years
Best for: Families who want published Filipino salaries and transparent, end-to-end service.
Recommended reads
3. A1 Employment Agency
A1 has served over 10,000 families since 2007, and what sets it apart is its Ultimate Maid Assurance Policy, which goes beyond the standard MOM-regulated 50 percent refund. If a placement does not work out, A1 offers both a refund and a replacement, an extra layer of protection that few agencies match.
Its MOM record is genuinely strong: a transfer rate of just 0.75 percent over 19 years. A1 sources Filipino helpers alongside Indonesian and Myanmar ones, with structured pre-deployment training so candidates arrive prepared for Singapore homes. For families who want peace of mind and a proven low-risk track record, it is a solid pick.
Website: a1maid.com.sg
Location: Singapore (see website for branch details)
Track record: 0.75% transfer rate over 19 years, refund and replacement guarantee
Best for: Risk-averse employers who want strong financial guarantees.
4. Universal Employment Agency
Operating since 1986, Universal has served over 10,000 families and is one of the longest-running agencies in Singapore. Its MOM retention rate of 75.35 percent is well above the 63 percent average, reflecting a matching process that genuinely works.
Universal is especially strong on transfer maids, including Filipino helpers already in Singapore. That means shorter waits, no overseas deployment delay, and a face-to-face meeting before you commit. If you want an English-speaking helper who is already settled into life here and can start quickly, Universal belongs on your shortlist.
Website: universal.sg
Location: Three branches island-wide
Track record: 75.35% retention rate, since 1986, 10,000+ families
Best for: Families who want a settled Filipino transfer maid who can start fast.
5. Island Maids
With 11 branches across the island, Island Maids makes it easy to sit down with a consultant and review biodata in person wherever you live. That face-to-face access matters when you are choosing someone who will live in your home, and it is the agency's core strength.
Scale brings choice. Island Maids places well above the industry average each year and sources a broad Filipino pool, so families with specific needs like infant care or tutoring have more candidates to weigh. It won the Reader's Digest Best Quality Service Award in 2020, and clients consistently praise its efficient paperwork.
Website: islandmaids.com.sg
Location: 11 branches island-wide
Track record: Reader's Digest Best Quality Service Award 2020, high placement volume
Best for: Families who want a large Filipino candidate pool and a branch nearby.
6. Inter Great Employment
If your reason for wanting a Filipino helper is care work, childcare, elderly care, or patient care, Inter Great has built its reputation specifically around these specialisations. Founded in 2013, it has earned the Singapore 500 Enterprise Award and Best Maid Agency from Parents World.
Inter Great sources Filipino helpers with verifiable caregiving experience and walks you through each candidate's history in detail rather than handing over a stack of biodata. It maintains a 4.9-star Google rating with branches in Katong, Ang Mo Kio, and Bugis. One caveat: ask for a full fee breakdown upfront, as transfer pricing is not always published.
Website: intergreat.sg
Location: Katong, Ang Mo Kio, and Bugis
Track record: 4.9-star Google rating, Parents World Best Maid Agency
Best for: Families who want a Filipino helper with proven caregiving experience.
7. Best Home Employment Agency
In business since 1996, Best Home is one of only a small number of agencies with CaseTrust accreditation, which caps initial deposits and requires a deposit performance bond. If an agency ever closed mid-contract, your deposit is protected, a genuine safeguard in an industry that occasionally sees firms shut overnight.
Best Home screens and trains helpers, including Filipino ones, for housekeeping, cooking, and caregiving, and offers part-time cleaning and cooking concierge services for families who do not need full-time live-in help. With nearly three decades behind it, the consultative process is a real strength.
Website: besthome.com.sg
Location: Three branches
Track record: CaseTrust-accredited, in business since 1996
Best for: Families who want deposit protection and a consultative process.
8. Maidcity
Maidcity has spent over 25 years getting the match right the first time. Rather than chase volume, the team takes time to understand your household before recommending Filipino candidates, which pays off in lower turnover and steadier placements.
It has been part of MOM's Advance Placement Scheme since the 2016 pilot, so you can interview helpers face to face before committing. Maidcity has been named a ThreeBestRated Top Maid Agency for several years running, with strong reviews across its Toa Payoh, Kovan, and Clementi branches.
Website: maidcity.com.sg
Location: Toa Payoh, Kovan, and Clementi
Track record: 25+ years, MOM APS participant, ThreeBestRated Top Agency
Best for: Families who prioritise a long-term match over a fast placement.
9. Nation Employment
Nation Employment takes a data-led approach. Founded in 2009 and now at three branches placing close to 300 helpers a year, it posts a 69.42 percent retention rate and a 0.35 percent transfer rate with no demerit points. For employers who trust numbers over marketing, that is something solid to weigh.
It sources Filipino helpers alongside the other main nationalities and matches on experience and personality. The agency won the Singapore Prestige Brand Award in 2025 and holds a 92 percent recommendation rate across nearly 300 Facebook reviews. A clean record and a methodical process.
Website: nation.sg
Location: Three branches
Track record: 0.35% transfer rate, 69.42% retention, zero demerit points
Best for: Employers who want to choose based on verified MOM data.
Frequently asked questions about hiring a Filipino maid in Singapore
What is the minimum salary for a Filipino maid in Singapore?
The Philippine Embassy sets a minimum salary for its domestic workers, which in 2026 is around S$600 a month or higher. Experienced helpers often negotiate above it. A licensed agency will not place a Filipino helper below that floor.
Why are Filipino maids more expensive than Indonesian or Myanmar maids?
Mostly because of English fluency and experience. That language ability makes Filipino helpers especially useful for childcare, tutoring, and eldercare communication, and the embassy salary floor sits higher than for other nationalities.
How long does it take to hire a Filipino helper?
A transfer maid already in Singapore can be placed in about 1 to 2 weeks. A new hire from the Philippines typically takes 4 to 8 weeks after document processing, training, and deployment.
Do Filipino helpers expect a day off on Sunday?
Many Filipino helpers are Catholic and prefer their weekly rest day on a Sunday for church and community. MOM requires at least one rest day a week regardless, so discuss the preferred day openly before placement.
How do I verify a Filipino maid agency is legitimate?
Look the agency up on MOM's Employment Agency Directory and check its licence, retention rate, transfer rate, and demerit points. Above 65 percent retention, below 1 percent transfer, and zero demerit points is a strong sign.
A Filipino helper remains the most popular choice in Singapore for one simple reason: strong English makes everything, from homework help to a doctor visit with an elderly parent, easier. You pay more for it, but for many families it is the difference that matters most.
Every agency above is MOM-licensed and earns its place on verifiable signals, from Green Employment and its embassy accreditation to A1 and its refund-plus-replacement guarantee. Check the MOM directory, ask for a full fee breakdown, and interview before you commit. For the wider field, see my guide to the best maid agencies in Singapore.
And if you run a maid agency, a clear, fast website with strong local SEO is what turns Google searches into real enquiries. That is exactly what I do at Terris. Take a look at my web design services or get in touch for a free consultation.
Written by
Terris
Founder & Lead Strategist
Terris is a Singapore-based web designer and digital strategist who has spent 8+ years building websites for local businesses. His Terris Recommends series shares personal picks for the best service providers across Singapore, informed by his experience working with businesses across industries.
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