In Singapore’s fast-paced society, the need for immediate domestic assistance, particularly in households with urgent care needs, is more prominent than ever. Recognising this, the Ministry of Manpower introduced the Advanced Placement Scheme (APS) in August 2016 to cater to Singaporean families in urgent need of a live-in caregiver. This initiative streamlines the process of hiring Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs), significantly cutting down the waiting period traditionally associated with their employment.
The Benefits of Hiring Under The Advance Placement Scheme
1. Convenience and Speed
The APS stands out for its convenience and speed. Traditionally, employing an FDW involves navigating through a maze of bureaucratic processes and dealing with international logistical hurdles. However, under the APS, employers can select their domestic helper from pre-approved candidates already in Singapore. This immediate access allows employers to not only bypass the lengthy waiting periods but also to meticulously prepare for the arrival of their live-in helper, ensuring a smooth transition into their household.
2. Transparency and Ease of Mind
Another pivotal advantage of the APS is the transparency and ease of mind it offers to employers. FDWs approved under this scheme have undergone thorough background checks, comprehensive health screenings, and meticulous skills assessments to be live-in caregivers.
Who is Eligible for the Advance Placement Scheme?
To qualify for the APS, you must first be a Singaporean citizen and be eligible for the Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) Concessionary Levy scheme, which requires employers to meet one of the following criteria:
- Live with a young child under the age of 16.
- Live with an elderly person who is at least 67 years old.
- Live with a person with disabilities—Must be certified by a Singapore-registered doctor to require help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL), such as showering, feeding, dressing, or toileting.
If you meet the criteria, you will automatically be eligible to hire a live-in helper under the APS. Furthermore, you will only be required to pay the MDW levy at a rate of SGD$60 per month instead of the standard $300.
This levy concession will be based on 1 helper for 1 eligible person in the household and is capped at 2 helpers per household. Additionally, this levy concession will be granted automatically if you or your spouse is at least 67 years old or your child is below 16 years old.
Hire With Homekeeper Maid Agency
As an approved employment agency under the APS, Homekeeper Maid Agency stands at the forefront of connecting Singaporean households with suitable maids for infant care and maids for elderly care. We understand the pivotal role a domestic helper plays in fostering a nurturing home environment. Our commitment is to ensure that each household is matched with a live-in caregiver who not only meets but exceeds your expectations, providing a harmonious balance of professional skill and personal warmth.
We invite you to contact us to embark on a seamless journey towards finding the right domestic helper for your family. You can fill out our contact us form or reach out to us at 8515 5527 or contactus@homekeeper.sg.
About the Author
Linda Seh has over 20 years of experience in the Employment industry. She takes the time to thoroughly interview each family and helper to understand their requirements, personalities, and preferences. Her intuition and insight has helped her make placements that result in lasting, harmonious working relationships. Linda now leverages this expertise and experience to simplify your search and ensure you find the ideal and qualified helper to become a valued member of your family.
