Maid Agency Cost Malaysia: What You Actually Pay
Hiring a domestic helper in Malaysia involves several separate costs — not a single "maid fee." The total you pay is the sum of a one-off upfront cost, ongoing monthly expenses for the duration of the contract, and periodic costs such as annual insurance renewal. Understanding each line item prevents surprises and helps you compare agencies accurately.
This guide sets out every cost component based on the placement process managed by Agensi Pekerjaan PMA Sdn Bhd since 1993. Where government-set amounts are involved, they are flagged for verification because they change. No specific RM figure is published without a verification note — a guide that shows you last year's levy rate is doing you a disservice.
Verify before you budget: Every figure marked must be confirmed against the current government circular or source before you use it for planning. Levy rates, income thresholds and government fees change. Ask your agency to show you the current applicable rate in writing.
Upfront costs — what you pay before your helper arrives
The upfront cost of hiring a new (overseas) domestic helper typically covers the following items. Most are paid via the agency, which then remits them to the relevant authorities.
| Cost item | What it covers | Who sets the amount |
|---|---|---|
| Agency placement fee | The agency's service charge for sourcing, screening, matching and processing the placement | Agency, subject to JTKSM fee cap |
| Work permit application fee | Government fee for processing the PLKS work pass | JIM |
| Security bond | Deposit held by JIM; refundable on legal departure at contract end | JIM |
| FOMEMA medical examination | Mandatory health screening for the helper on arrival in Malaysia | FOMEMA |
| Personal accident insurance (SPIKPA) | Mandatory insurance policy for the helper during employment | Insurance provider |
| FWCMS (Foreign Worker Centralised Management System) | Registration fee payable at application stage | MOHA |
| Source-country processing fees | Varies by nationality — Philippine DMW processing, Indonesian PJTKI/P3MI charges, etc. | Source country government |
What to watch for when comparing agency quotes
Agency quotes vary in what they include. Before comparing, clarify:
- Does the quoted agency fee include or exclude the government work permit fee?
- Does it include FOMEMA?
- Does it include the security bond (which is refundable)?
- Does it include source-country processing fees?
- What is the agency's replacement guarantee — and does activating it incur a further charge?
An agency quoting a lower headline number that excludes government fees and the bond may cost you more in total than one quoting a higher number that includes them. Always ask for an itemised written quotation under the JTKSM fee schedule.
Monthly costs — what you pay throughout the contract
| Monthly cost item | What it covers | Who sets the amount |
|---|---|---|
| Helper's salary | Monthly wage paid directly to the helper | Subject to source-country minimum (for Filipino helpers, the Philippine DMW sets a salary floor; Indonesia has an MoU minimum) |
| Government levy | Monthly fee paid to the Malaysian government per foreign domestic helper employed | MOHA/JTK — rate differs by source country |
| PERKESO contribution | Employment Injury Scheme contribution for the helper | PERKESO |
| Food and accommodation | By law, the employer provides meals and accommodation at no charge to the helper | Employer responsibility — no fixed rate |
Is a Filipino helper more expensive than an Indonesian helper?
Generally yes, on a monthly basis. The Philippine government's Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) sets a minimum salary floor for Filipino domestic workers placed overseas, and that floor is typically higher than what Indonesian helpers receive under the Indonesia–Malaysia MoU minimum. The levy rate may also differ between the two nationalities.
Over a two-year contract, this difference adds up. Whether the additional cost is justified depends on your household's specific needs — English-language proficiency, childcare requirements, or elderly care specialisation may make a Filipino helper the more suitable and cost-effective choice for your situation even at a higher monthly cost. See our Indonesian vs Filipino comparison for a detailed breakdown.
Periodic costs
| Item | Typical frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal accident insurance renewal | Annual | |
| Work permit renewal | Every 1–2 years (depends on permit validity) | Renewal fee payable to JIM; agency handling fee if done through agency |
| Passport renewal | As needed (every 5 years typically) | Passport renewal for the helper; handled by agency for a fee if applicable |
| Home leave (air ticket) | Contract-dependent — some employers fund one return trip per contract | Not legally mandated for domestic helpers under Malaysian law; check employment contract terms |
Transfer maid cost — how it differs from a new placement
A transfer maid is a helper already legally employed in Malaysia who changes employers within Malaysia. The costs for a transfer placement differ from a new overseas placement:
- No FOMEMA medical required (she is already cleared) — significant saving
- No source-country processing fees
- A transfer fee replaces the new placement fee — typically lower, though agencies vary
- Some government fees still apply (work permit transfer processing)
- Security bond may transfer with the permit or require reprocessing
Transfer maids are also typically faster to place — weeks rather than months. The trade-off is that employment history is shorter and sometimes incomplete. See our transfer maid page for more detail.
Charges that should not appear in any legitimate agency quote
A JTKSM-licensed agency operates within a regulated fee schedule. The following are not legitimate charges:
- Any cash payment not covered by a written receipt and itemised quote
- A "deposit" paid before any documentation has been submitted to JIM
- A "processing fee" for renewing a replacement under the guarantee if the replacement is supposed to be free
- Passport retention — holding the helper's passport is illegal in Malaysia regardless of what an employment contract says
- Salary deductions not agreed in the employment contract at the time of signing
Your right under JTKSM rules: You are entitled to a written, itemised fee schedule from any licensed agency before paying anything. If an agency cannot or will not produce one, that is sufficient reason to walk away.
Putting the total together
For a first-time employer hiring a new placement, the all-in upfront cost — agency fee, government fees, bond, FOMEMA, insurance — is a meaningful sum. Add the first month's salary and levy, and the initial outlay before your helper has worked a day is significant. This is why selecting the right candidate at the start matters: a failed placement that requires a replacement adds costs on top of everything already paid.
The ongoing monthly cost — salary plus levy plus PERKESO — is the larger commitment over a two-year contract. This is the number to budget carefully, not just the upfront figure.
Contact us for a current itemised quotation based on your specific situation — nationality preference, household location, whether you are a first-time or repeat employer. We will walk you through every line item at your first consultation.
Accuracy note: All figures in this guide require verification against current government circulars and agency rates at the time of your application. Levy rates, permit fees, minimum salaries and bond amounts change with government policy. This guide is updated periodically but cannot be guaranteed current. Confirm all figures with your licensed agency or the relevant authority before budgeting. General information only — not financial or legal advice.
Get a current cost breakdown from PMA
Our consultants at any of our three offices will walk you through a current, itemised quote for your specific situation — at no charge for the initial consultation.