Indonesian Helper in Singapore
Indonesian Helper: Strengths, Personality, Salary, and Hiring Considerations

Indonesian domestic helpers are among the most popular choices for families in Singapore seeking reliable and hardworking household support. Known for their loyalty, strong work ethic, and generally good English skills, Indonesian maids provide valuable assistance in housekeeping, childcare, and elderly care.
Indonesian are best known for being friendly, warm, and approachable, Indonesian maids often bond well with children and elderly family members. Due to their culture, they are usually more respectful. They are usually more confident in handling tasks independently.
This article explores the pros and cons of hiring Indonesian maids, typical salary ranges, personality traits, language proficiency, and important considerations to help employers make informed decisions.
Strengths
Loyal and Hardworking: Indonesian maids are widely recognized for their dedication, reliability, and willingness to take on various household tasks diligently.
Good English Proficiency: Many Indonesian helpers have conversational English skills, facilitating smoother communication with employers.
Experience in Childcare and Elderly Care: Many Indonesian helpers have prior experience or training in caring for children and elderly family members.
Affordable Salary Range: Indonesian helpers generally command salaries ranging from SGD 550 to SGD 750, offering good value for their skills and experience.
Salary Range
The typical monthly salary for Indonesian domestic helpers in Singapore ranges from SGD 550 to SGD 750, depending on years of experience, skills, and language proficiency. Indonesian Helpers tend to fall in the middle of the salary range compared to Filipino and Myanmar helpers.
Indonesian Helper | Myanmar Helper | Filipino Helper |
---|---|---|
$550 – $750 | $480 – $650 | $600 – $800 |
Considerations When Hiring a Filipino Maid
Household with pets: Due to their religion, Indonesian helpers are not recommended for households with pets, especially dogs as they would not be able to handle them.
Cooking: Due to their religion, Indonesian helpers might not be able/comfortable to handle certain protein like pork.
Salary and Costs: Although they lies in the middle of the salary range, not every household would be comfortable paying a amount of out their budget.
Cultural Sensitivity: Respect their cultural and religious practices to foster a positive working relationship. If it is doing something that is against their cultural practices, it is not advised.
Language Proficiency
Most Indonesian maids speak Bahasa Indonesia as their first language and generally have basic to conversational English skills upon arrival. This level of proficiency supports effective communication for daily household tasks. Employers can enhance communication by:
Typical Language Skills
- Using clear, simple English instructions.
- Better interaction with children and elderly family members.
- Reduced misunderstandings and smoother household management.
- Easier integration into English-speaking and muslim-speaking households.
Indonesian integrates into muslim-speaking households seamlessly as they share a common language and culture. Their English are also comparable to Filipino maids. Good English proficiency among Indonesian maids makes them a preferred choice for many English-speaking households in Singapore.
Ability
Indonesian maids are capable of handling a wide range of household duties, including:
- General housekeeping and cleaning.
- Cooking Indonesian cuisine and local dishes, which matches Singapore's liking for Muslim Foods.
- Childcare, including infant care.
- Elderly care, including medication reminders and companionship.
- Laundry, ironing, and household errands.
Their versatility and willingness to learn make Indonesian helpers valuable assets to busy households.
Suitability
Indonesian helpers are especially suitable for:
- Families seeking affordable and hardworking domestic helpers.
- Households requiring basic to intermediate English communication.
- Employers who value loyalty, patience, and adaptability.
- Employers willing to respect and accommodate cultural and religious practices.
- Excellent integration for Muslim families.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
Hiring an Indonesian maid in Singapore offers a balance of affordability, reliability, and good communication skills. While some language and cultural adjustments may be necessary, Indonesian helpers are hardworking, loyal, and adaptable, making them a popular choice for many Singaporean families.
For more comparisons and guides, explore our other articles!