What is the minimum wage for a domestic helper in Hong Kong in 2026?

The MAW is HK$5,220/month for foreign domestic helper contracts signed from 3 October 2026, regardless of nationality. Existing contracts retain their applicable signing-date rules and agreed wage. Government announcement: 2 October 2026.

What is the food allowance for domestic helpers in Hong Kong?

Employers must either provide free food or pay a food allowance of HK$1,236 per month (as of 2026). This is mandatory under the Standard Employment Contract. Source: Hong Kong Labour Department, Table of Minimum Allowances.

How much does it cost to hire a domestic helper in Hong Kong total over 2 years?

Assuming HK$5,220 wages plus HK$1,236 cash food throughout 24 months, wage and food total HK$154,944. Illustrative HK$800–1,500 annual insurance makes HK$156,544–157,944 before service plans, travel, medical and nationality-specific costs.

Is there a HK$400 monthly domestic helper levy?

No. Hong Kong abolished the Employees Retraining Levy for foreign domestic helper employers in 2013. Do not add HK$400 a month or HK$9,600 over a two-year contract.

Is domestic helper insurance mandatory in Hong Kong?

Yes. Employers must purchase Employees' Compensation Insurance under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282). Premiums depend on the policy and insurer; obtain a current quote. Failure to maintain valid insurance is a criminal offence with fines up to HK$100,000.

Cost GuideLast Updated: 2 October 2026

Complete Cost of Hiring a Domestic Helper Hong Kong 2026

A table-based breakdown of wages, food, insurance, service plans and route-specific costs. Legal minimums are separated from planning estimates and private service prices.

By SeekHelpers Editorial Team, Licensed EA 82832·10 min read·April 2026

Monthly Ongoing Costs

Wage and food figures are legal minimums for relevant contracts; insurance is an illustrative planning range. Source: Government's 2 October 2026 announcement.

Cost Item	Monthly Amount	Notes
Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW)	HK$5,220	Contracts signed from 3 October 2026. Existing contracts retain their applicable agreed wage.
Food Allowance	HK$1,236	Cash allowance if free food is not provided. Source: HK Labour Dept.
Employees' Compensation Insurance	~HK$67–125	Illustrative HK$800–1,500 annual budget; premiums vary.
Employer Levy	HK$0	The former HK$400 monthly levy was abolished in 2013.
Cash Cost Before Variable Expenses	HK$6,523–6,581	New-rate MAW + cash food allowance + illustrative insurance. Free-food households use actual grocery cost instead.

No monthly levy: the former HK$400 Employees Retraining Levy for foreign domestic helper employers was abolished in 2013.

One-Time Hiring Costs by Route

The one-time cost depends on whether you hire a helper already in Hong Kong (transfer hire) or a new helper from overseas. Profile browsing is free; processing support uses paid plans. Do not add a government fee again when it is already included in a package.

Transfer Hire (helper in HK)

Nationality-specific verification	Confirm live fee	Filipino MWO and other consular procedures are route-specific.
HK Immigration Visa Fee (ID 407B)	HK$330	Ordinary fee from 8 September 2025.
Medical Examination	Current quote	Confirm medical requirements and any package inclusions.
SeekHelpers Self Hire	HK$5,999	Published local Philippines service price; confirm inclusions.
Total One-Time Cost	Package price + unbundled case costs

Overseas Hire (from Philippines/Indonesia)

Nationality-specific processing	Confirm live fee	Requirements differ for Filipino and Indonesian deployments.
HK Immigration Visa Fee (ID 407B)	HK$330	Ordinary fee from 8 September 2025.
Medical Examination	Current quote	Route and package dependent.
Passage to Hong Kong	Current fare	Employer obligation; check whether the package includes it.
SeekHelpers Self Hire	HK$6,999	Published overseas Philippines service price; confirm inclusions.
Total One-Time Cost	Package price + unbundled case costs

Traditional Agency (overseas hire)

Agency Service Fee	HK$10,000–20,000	Illustrative range only; obtain a current itemised quote. Employer fees are not a fixed government tariff.
MWO/consular + Visa Fees	Route-specific	Confirm current fees and whether they are bundled.
Medical Exam	Included	Usually included in the agency package.
Airfare	Included/extra	Some agencies include, others charge separately.
Total One-Time Cost	HK$12,000–23,000

2-Year Total Cost Comparison

These subtotals use MAW, the cash food allowance and HK$800–1,500 insurance per year. Asterisks exclude travel, medical and nationality-specific items not confirmed as included in the selected plan.

Hire Scenario	One-Time	Monthly	2-Year Total
✓Local Philippines Self Hire	HK$5,999 plan	HK$6,523–6,581	HK$162,543–163,943
✓Overseas Philippines Self Hire	HK$6,999 plan	HK$6,523–6,581	HK$163,543–164,943*
Full Service	HK$13,999–16,999	HK$6,523–6,581	HK$170,543–174,943*

Planning estimates only. They exclude variable medical treatment, termination payments and items not confirmed as included in a service package.

Salary by Experience Level (2026)

The MAW of HK$5,220 is the floor for contracts signed from 3 October 2026, not a retroactive payroll rule. Honour higher agreed wages; this page does not publish an unsupported market average by experience or nationality.

Experience Tier	Monthly Salary	Typical Profile	Total Monthly Cost
New-contract legal minimum	HK$5,220/mo	Contracts signed from 3 October 2026	HK$6,523–6,581
Example above MAW	HK$5,500/mo	Negotiated wage; not an official market average	HK$6,803–6,861

Costs Often Overlooked

Statutory Holidays (15/year in 2026)

15 statutory holidays in 2026. Holiday pay is subject to statutory eligibility.

Annual Leave (7–14 days)

7 days Year 1, scaling up to 14 days after 9 years of service.

Rest Day Overtime

If helper works on rest day, must compensate with another rest day.

Outward Journey to HK

Employer covers one-way airfare for overseas hires (~HK$1,500–2,000).

Return Journey Home

At contract end or termination (if not renewed), employer covers return airfare.

Medical Expenses

Employer provides free medical treatment during employment, subject to the Standard Employment Contract's exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions — Costs

Official Sources & References

Hire With SeekHelpers — Significantly Lower Fees

Compare the published Self Hire and Full Service prices, then confirm the visa, medical and travel items included in your selected package. Compare agency types and fees.

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