How much does it cost to hire a domestic helper in Hong Kong in 2026?
Agency fees, the monthly wage, who is allowed to hire, and whether you can do it yourself — on one page, with government sources for every figure.
Short answer
Through Directhire.hk, the agency fee for a Filipino helper finishing a contract in Hong Kong is HK$11,498 (HK$11,998 for an Indonesian helper). For a first-time helper hired from overseas it is HK$8,388 (Filipino) or HK$8,998 (Indonesian). On top of that comes the monthly wage: at least HK$5,220 for contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026.
What is the minimum wage for a domestic helper in 2026?
- •The Minimum Allowable Wage is HK$5,220 a month for contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026 (previously HK$5,100).
- •The Standard Employment Contract requires the employer to provide food free of charge. An employer who pays a food allowance instead must pay at least HK$1,236 a month (unchanged in the 2026 review).
How much does Directhire.hk charge?
These are Directhire.hk's published fees, by the helper's nationality and where she is now. Open “Details” to see what each fee includes and excludes.
If the application is unsuccessful, the helper doesn't arrive in HK, or the medical exam fails, we refund every dollar.
Our Charges
Updated: 02 NOV 2026
*Pick a helper yourself in the app and WhatsApp us to schedule a Zoom interview — successful hires get an extra HK$2000 off.
Helper in Hong Kong
| Indonesian | Filipino | |
|---|---|---|
| Finished contract | $11,998* | $11,498* |
| Terminated contract | $9,898* | $9,898* |
| Renewal | $1,498 | $1,198 |
| Self-sourced (finished) | $2,898 | $1,988 |
| Self-sourced (terminated) | $5,988 | $4,920 |
Helper Overseas
| Indonesian | Filipino | |
|---|---|---|
| HK experience | $9,998* | $9,188* |
| Macau / SG / TW experience | $7,998* | $9,188* |
| Other overseas experience | $9,998* | $9,188* |
| No overseas experience | $8,998* | $8,388* |
| Self-sourced overseas | $5,988 | $4,920 |
How much income do I need to hire a helper?
The Immigration Department requires a household income of at least HK$15,000 a month for each helper, or assets of a comparable amount, for example fixed deposits or bank statements for the last 6 months totalling at least HK$350,000.
Can I hire a helper without an agency?
Yes. The Immigration Department's guide is written for employers who submit applications directly, using forms ID 988A (completed by the helper), ID 988B (completed by the employer) and the Standard Employment Contract ID 407. Doing it yourself saves the agency fee, but the paperwork, the follow-up and the risk of mistakes are yours.
If you have already found a helper yourself and only want the paperwork handled, Directhire.hk's self-sourced service costs HK$1,988 for a Filipino helper finishing a contract in Hong Kong, or HK$2,898 for an Indonesian helper.