Hiring a helper in Singapore for the first time: the Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP) explained (2026)
If you are hiring a helper (maid) in Singapore for the first time, you must attend the Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP), and finish it at least 2 working days before the Work Permit application is submitted. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in 2026, the online EOP takes 2 hours and costs about $29–36; the classroom version takes 3 hours and costs about $35–76. It is offered in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. From your 4th helper within 12 months, you attend a 1-hour, $80 CONNECT Workshop instead.
Who must attend the EOP
From MOM's “Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP)” page (updated 7 August 2026) and “Employer requirements” page (updated 11 March 2026):
- Every first-time employer of a helper must attend before applying for a Work Permit.
- Foreigners bringing in their own helper must also attend if it is their first time hiring one in Singapore (MOM FAQ, updated 14 March 2024).
- Your name, NRIC/FIN and other details must match across the EOP registration and the Work Permit application.
When someone else can attend for you
MOM lets employers who meet one of these conditions appoint a representative or sponsor:
| Your situation | Details |
|---|---|
| Health | A chronic medical condition; a physical disability that prevents walking; or aged 60 or above with physical discomfort |
| New baby | A mother due to deliver within 1 month of applying, or who gave birth within the month before applying, can have her spouse attend |
The representative must be over 21 and have attended the EOP on your behalf, or be a sponsor (or sponsor's spouse) who has employed a helper before. They must attend at least 2 working days before the online appointment application; once it is approved, the Work Permit application can go in one working day later. Keep the supporting documents (such as NRIC/FIN, medical documents or birth certificates) for at least 3 months in case MOM audits. See the MOM page for the full document list.
How to attend, how long, how much
MOM lists three providers. Fees include GST (page updated 7 August 2026; check when you register):
| Provider | Online (2 hours) | Classroom (3 hours) | Classroom schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAT Training Hub | $35.65 | $35.65 | Fridays, 6–9 pm |
| Absolute Kinetics Consultancy | $32.70 | English $34.88, Mandarin $40.33, Malay or Tamil $59.95 | Mondays, 6–9 pm |
| Grace Management & Consultancy | $29.98 | English or Mandarin $54.50 (alternating weekly), Malay or Tamil $76.30 | Fridays, 6–9 pm |
- Languages: all three offer English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil; Grace runs its classroom sessions in Malay and Tamil based on demand.
- Timing: finish at least 2 working days before the Work Permit application. Register as soon as you start hiring so your agency isn't waiting on you.
- Test or certificate validity: MOM's page doesn't say; ask the provider when you register.
What the course covers
MOM says the programme helps you understand your role and responsibilities as an employer, using case studies and shared experiences. MOM doesn't publish a syllabus. The rules below are MOM requirements worth knowing beforehand, not necessarily the course's own wording:
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Rest days | One rest day a week, agreed between you; at least one rest day a month cannot be compensated with money. See helper rest day rules in Singapore (MOM) |
| Salary | Pay monthly, no later than 7 days after the salary period ends; not less than what you declared to MOM; since 2019 you must not keep her salary or money (MOM, updated 14 March 2024) |
| Cleaning window exteriors | Only when window grilles are installed and locked throughout, and you or an adult representative is present the whole time; ground-floor and common-corridor windows are exempt (MOM). See window cleaning and laundry safety rules for helpers in Singapore |
| Meals and housing | Three meals a day; accommodation that is safe, ventilated and private. See getting ready for a new helper |
Changed helpers several times in 12 months: the CONNECT Workshop
From MOM's “Frequent changes of MDWs” page (updated 8 August 2025):
- Changing more than 3 helpers within 12 months makes you a Frequent Change Employer; from your 4th helper you must attend the CONNECT Workshop.
- It is run by a consultant from the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore), AEA(S): 1 hour, $80, online or at the AEA(S) office.
- If you can't attend, give written notice at least 3 working days ahead, or the $80 is forfeited.
After the course: explaining your house rules to her
Knowing the rules is one thing; making sure she understands how your home works is another: which day she rests, that window exteriors don't need cleaning, that nothing is planned late in the evening. Explained once, in a language that isn't hers, a nod and an “OK” doesn't always mean it landed.
With Yiru you can:
- Write a house guide: write your household notes once and she reads them in her own language: Burmese, Indonesian, Filipino and more, 9 languages in all.
- Let her ask: she taps “I have a question” on an item and asks in her language; you read it in yours.
- Respect her rest: in Family members, tap her and set her rest days under “Every week”. On those days her Today page says “Rest day today”. On her rest days and every night from 9 pm to 6 am, notifications wait and aren't sent to her.
FAQ
Do I really have to attend the EOP to hire my first helper?
Yes. MOM requires first-time employers to attend the EOP and finish it at least 2 working days before the Work Permit application.
Can I do the EOP online? How long and how much?
Yes. The online EOP takes 2 hours and the three providers listed by MOM charge $29.98–35.65. The classroom version takes 3 hours and costs about $35–76, depending on the provider and language.
I'm a foreigner (for example on an EP) bringing my own helper. Do I need to attend?
Yes. MOM says anyone hiring a helper in Singapore for the first time must attend, including foreigners bringing in their own helper.
Can my son or daughter attend for an elderly parent who is the employer?
Employers aged 60 or above with physical discomfort, or with a chronic condition or a disability that prevents walking, can appoint a representative. The representative must be over 21 and attend the EOP on their behalf; see MOM's page for the other conditions and documents.
Do I attend the EOP again if I've changed helpers many times?
From your 4th helper within 12 months, you attend the AEA(S) CONNECT Workshop instead: 1 hour, $80, and attendance is mandatory.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP)
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Employer requirements for hiring an MDW
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Are foreigners who bring in their own MDWs required to attend the EOP?
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Frequent changes of MDWs
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Salary guidelines
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Rest days and well-being
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): written parliamentary reply on MDW fall statistics and safety (14 October 2025)
Checked October 2026. Rules and fees can change; the official websites are the final word.