APS Maids, Have You Heard Of Them?

If you have read our earlier articles on how to choose the right maid agency, and all you need to know about hiring a domestic helper, you would have a rough idea about the process of hiring a maid in Singapore, the time it takes and the things to prepare especially if you have young children or elderly at home.

The Advance Placement Scheme (APS) was introduced to simplify and speed up this process for eligible households. In this article, we’ll break down how APS works, its benefits, eligibility criteria, and some key insights from an industry perspective.

What is APS?

Advance Placement Scheme, also known as APS, is a government-backed initiative designed to help families with elderly members, infants, or persons with disabilities hire a helper more quickly. Unlike the traditional hiring process, APS allows maid agencies to bring in helpers to Singapore first, without already being hired by an employer. This means you can conduct a face-to-face interview with the helper, significantly speeding up the deployment process compared to the usual overseas hiring process.

But not just that, the main advantage we maid agencies see is that our clients can have in-person interaction with the helper before deciding to hire her. This means, if our client has a baby or young children, we will suggest to them to bring their child along for the interview, to see how the APS maid interacts with them.

How Does APS Differ from the Normal Hiring Process?

Under the usual hiring process:

1. Employers can only conduct interviews through video calls with the helpers.
   
2. Once a helper is selected, the application process begins, requiring a deposit and documentation.
   
3. The overseas application process can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on factors like their local authorities and regulations, document readiness, and travel restrictions.

With APS:

1. The maid agency handles the entire overseas application process before the helper arrives in Singapore.
   
2. Helpers are already in Singapore, allowing for in-person interviews.
   
3. Only the Singapore-based application process remains, which typically takes about seven working days, assuming there are no complications.
   
4. APS helpers normally go through much more extensive training and preparations, both in their foreign country and here in Singapore to minimize the chances of not getting hired.

This means that APS provides a much faster and more efficient hiring process, allowing employers to assess helpers in person before making a decision.

Who is Eligible for APS?

APS is available for families that meet specific eligibility criteria:

1. Children (Singapore Citizens) under 16 years old
   
2. Elderly (Singapore Citizens or PRs) aged 67 and above
   
3. Persons with disabilities

Eligible employers also qualify for a levy concession—instead of paying the usual $300 monthly levy, they pay a reduced rate of $60 per month. If the elderly family member does not live with you, a sponsorship arrangement is possible, allowing you to still enjoy the levy concession.

For detailed eligibility criteria, visit the official MOM website.

Why is APS More Expensive?

While APS offers faster hiring and in-person interviews, it does come at a higher cost compared to hiring fresh helpers from overseas. This is due to several reasons:

1. Maid agencies take on more financial risks, as they must match APS helpers with employers within 28 days or bear the cost of sending them back.
   
2. Higher selection standards—helpers undergo additional interviews and screenings before being chosen for APS.
   
3. Daily expenses—since helpers arrive before securing employment, agencies have to cover their food, lodging, and daily expenses.
   
4. Enhanced training—APS helpers typically receive additional training in infant care and eldercare before being placed with an employer.

How We Ensure Quality in APS Helpers

At Homekeeper, we go the extra mile to ensure that our APS helpers are well-prepared for their roles:

1. Comprehensive Screening: Helpers go through multiple interviews, ensuring suitability in terms of language proficiency, physical fitness, and experience.
   
2. Daily Training in Singapore: Unlike some agencies, we have a training center in Singapore, where APS helpers undergo structured training programs in infant and eldercare.
   
3. Attitude and Readiness Assessments: Helpers are continuously observed during training, and if attitude problems arise, we will not hesitate to reconsider their placement.

While no maid agency can guarantee perfection, we focus on reducing risks by thoroughly training and vetting our APS helpers. Our transfer rate for APS helpers is significantly lower than that of fresh helpers due to our rigorous selection and training process.

Key Tips for APS Face-to-Face Interviews

As we have shared above, one major advantage of APS is the ability to interview the helper in person before hiring. Here’s what you should look out for:

1. Chemistry with Your Family: If hiring for elderly care, bring your elderly family member to the interview to see if they get along with the helper.
   
2. Interaction with Children: If hiring for childcare, observe how the helper interacts with your children during the interview.
   
3. Conversational Skills: The helper should at least understand basic instructions. Fluency in English or Chinese is rare, but communication typically improves over time.

Final Thoughts: Should You Consider APS?

APS offers significant advantages, particularly for those who need a helper quickly and with better training. However, due to the limited housing capacity of maid agencies, APS helpers are always in high demand. If you find a helper you like, act fast or be prepared to lose them to other customers!