When a new helper doesn't work out in the first few months, the stress isn't only emotional — employers panic about the money already spent: the agency's service fee, the helper's placement loan, the levy, insurance, and transfer or repatriation costs. The good news is that some of this is recoverable, and there are MOM rules on your side. Here's how the money actually works when a placement fails. (For the full upfront picture, see our agency fees guide.)
The Service-Fee Refund (Within 6 Months)
This is the protection most employers don't know they have. Under MOM's Employment Agency rules, if a helper's employment ends prematurely within 6 months — and not due to your fault — the agency is required to refund part of the service fee you paid, according to a prescribed schedule. The refund is prorated by how long she worked, and this obligation stands regardless of what the agency's own contract says.
A few things to know:
- The amount steps down the longer she stayed — more is refundable if she leaves in month one than in month five.
- It applies to the service fee you paid the agency, not the helper's own loan.
- Ask the agency for the refund in writing, referencing MOM's requirement. A MOM-licensed agency knows this rule.
Because the exact figures depend on the prescribed schedule and your signed contract, confirm the precise amount with the agency and against MOM's guidance.
Loan vs. Service Fee — Two Different Things
Employers often confuse these, which leads to bad decisions:
- Your service fee is what you paid the agency. This is what's partially refundable under the 6-month rule above.
- The helper's placement loan is the (separate) amount tied to placing her. Whether it can be recovered depends on what happens next.
Transfer vs. Repatriate — the Cost Difference
What you do with a failed placement changes the math significantly:
- Transfer (she moves to a new employer): the new employer often takes over the remaining loan, which can mean you recover more of your costs. It's usually the more cost-effective route if she's employable and willing.
- Repatriate (send her home): you typically bear the one-way ticket, and the outstanding loan is generally lost. (See our transfer or repatriation guide.)
If your goal is to limit losses, transfer is usually worth exploring before repatriation.
Costs That Continue Until the Work Permit Is Cancelled
This is where employers get caught out: the levy, insurance, and (if she's lodged through an agency) lodging fees keep accruing until the Work Permit is properly cancelled or transferred. A placement isn't "over" the moment she stops working — it's over when the paperwork is done. Move promptly to cancel or transfer so these costs stop.
Dealing With an Unhelpful Agency
If an agency stalls on a refund you're entitled to:
- Know your rights first — the 6-month service-fee refund is a MOM requirement, not a favour.
- Put your request in writing, citing MOM's rule, and keep records.
- Escalate properly if they stonewall — you can raise the matter with MOM, and with CASE for consumer disputes. You don't need to "fight"; you need to document and escalate through the right channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get a refund if my maid leaves within 6 months in Singapore?
Often, yes. Under MOM's Employment Agency rules, if the employment ends prematurely within 6 months and not due to your fault, the agency must refund part of the service fee you paid, on a prescribed schedule that's prorated by how long she worked — regardless of the agency's own contract. Request it in writing, and confirm the exact amount with the agency and MOM's guidance.
Is the agency service fee refundable in Singapore?
The service fee you paid the agency is partially refundable if the placement ends within 6 months through no fault of yours, under MOM's rules. The refundable portion is larger the earlier she leaves and steps down over the six months. This is separate from the helper's own placement loan, which is handled differently.
Can I recover the helper's loan if she leaves early?
It depends on whether you transfer or repatriate. If she transfers to a new employer, the new employer often takes over the remaining loan, which can let you recover more of your costs. If she's repatriated, the outstanding loan is generally lost and you typically bear the return ticket. Transferring is usually the more cost-effective option if she's employable.
What costs continue after a helper stops working?
The levy, insurance, and any agency lodging fees keep accruing until the Work Permit is properly cancelled or transferred — not from the moment she stops working. To stop these costs, move promptly to cancel or transfer the permit rather than leaving the paperwork unfinished.
How HelperMate Helps
The cheapest failed hire is the one that doesn't happen — and the second cheapest is the one you catch and handle early:
- Clear onboarding and routines that give a new helper the best chance to succeed in the first months
- Deadline and admin reminders so a transfer or cancellation is done promptly, before extra levy and fees pile up
- A record of how things are going, so a struggling start is something you address early, not discover too late
A good start prevents most failed placements — and that's the real saving.
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This guide reflects MOM's Employment Agency rules and common practice as of 2026. Refund figures depend on the prescribed schedule and your signed contract — confirm specifics with your agency and MOM. This article is for informational purposes only.