Domestic Worker South Africa 2026 — Employer Guide

By Mario Labuschagne | Updated: July 2026

Key Takeaways

Every South African employer who employs a domestic worker for more than 24 hours per month has legal obligations under the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The 2026 National Minimum Wage for domestic workers is R30.23 per hour, effective 1 March 2026.
Employers must register for both UIF and COID — failure carries serious financial and legal penalties.
A written employment contract is legally required under Sectoral Determination 7.
MyHelper manages all compliance for domestic employers from R249 per month.

If you employ a domestic worker in South Africa — a cleaner, gardener, nanny, caregiver or housekeeper — you are an employer in the eyes of South African law. That means legal obligations far beyond simply paying a salary. This guide explains everything you need to know to employ a domestic worker correctly and legally in 2026.

Who Is Considered a Domestic Worker in South Africa?

Under South African law, a domestic worker is any person who performs domestic work in a private household and receives a wage. This definition is broader than most employers realise.

Worker TypeCovered as Domestic Worker?House cleaner or housekeeperYesGardenerYesNanny or childminderYesCaregiver for elderly or disabledYesHousehold driverYesPart-time cleaner working more than 24 hours per monthYesPart-time cleaner working 24 hours or less per monthWage laws apply — UIF exempt

What Are Your Legal Obligations as a Domestic Employer?

South African law imposes clear obligations on every domestic employer. These are not optional — they are legal requirements backed by financial penalties and potential criminal liability.

Register for UIF

Under the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (No. 4 of 2002), every employer who employs a domestic worker for more than 24 hours per month must register both themselves and their worker for UIF. You contribute 1% of the worker's monthly wage and deduct a further 1% from the worker's wage. The total 2% is paid to the Department of Employment and Labour by the 7th of each month.

Register for COID

Following the Constitutional Court ruling in Mahlangu v Minister of Labour (November 2020), all domestic employers must register with the Compensation Fund under COIDA. This protects your worker if injured on duty and protects you from personal civil liability.

Pay the Correct Minimum Wage

From 1 March 2026, the National Minimum Wage is R30.23 per hour. This applies to all domestic workers regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, live-in or live-out. Paying below this rate is an offence under the National Minimum Wage Act.

Provide a Written Employment Contract

Sectoral Determination 7 requires every employer to provide written particulars of employment. A verbal agreement is not legally sufficient. The contract must include the worker's duties, working hours, wage, leave entitlements and notice period.

Issue a Payslip Every Pay Period

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires a written payslip every time you pay your domestic worker. The payslip must show gross wage, all deductions and net pay.

Comply with Leave Entitlements

Domestic workers are entitled to at least 15 working days of annual leave per year, sick leave equal to 6 weeks over every 36-month cycle, 4 months of unpaid maternity leave, and 5 days of paid family responsibility leave per year for workers employed more than 4 months working at least 4 days per week.

Need help getting compliant? MyHelper handles UIF registration, COID registration, payslips, payroll and leave management on your behalf. R399 once-off registration and R249 per month. Get started today

Penalties for Non-Compliance

OffencePenaltyFailure to register for UIFBackdated contributions plus 10% penalty plus interestFailure to register for COIDFull personal liability for all injury costsPaying below minimum wageFine of twice the underpaid amount or twice monthly wageNo written employment contractCCMA exposure and unfair dismissal riskNo payslips issuedBCEA violation and Department of Labour fine

Domestic Worker Rights You Must Respect

Maximum working hours: 45 hours per week
Overtime: Maximum 15 hours per week, paid at 1.5 times the normal rate
Sunday work: Voluntary only, paid at 1.5 times the normal rate
Public holidays: If required to work, must be paid double the normal rate
Daily rest: 12 consecutive hours between shifts
Weekly rest: 36 consecutive hours including Sunday unless agreed otherwise
Meal interval: 1 hour after every 5 hours of continuous work

How MyHelper Makes Compliance Simple

MyHelper.co.za is South Africa's leading domestic worker compliance platform. MyHelper handles UIF registration, COID registration, monthly payroll, payslip generation, leave management, employment contracts and annual COID Return of Earnings — all in one platform. Over R14 million in domestic worker payroll has been processed and more than 5,300 compliance submissions completed on behalf of South African households.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my domestic worker for UIF if they only work one day a week?

If your domestic worker works more than 24 hours per month for you, you must register them for UIF. A worker doing one full day per week typically exceeds 24 hours per month and therefore requires registration. Workers working 24 hours or fewer per month are exempt from UIF but the minimum wage of R30.23 per hour still applies.

What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker in 2026?

The National Minimum Wage effective 1 March 2026 is R30.23 per hour, as gazetted in Government Notice 7083. For a domestic worker on a 45-hour week, the minimum monthly wage is R5,894.85.

Can I pay my domestic worker in cash?

Yes. Under Sectoral Determination 7, wages may be paid in cash, by cheque or by direct deposit into an account designated by the worker. If you pay in cash, you must still issue a written payslip showing all amounts and deductions.

What happens if my domestic worker is injured at my home?

If you are registered with the Compensation Fund, the fund covers all medical costs and compensation for temporary or permanent disability. If you are not registered, you are personally liable for all costs including medical treatment, lost wages during recovery and potentially a pension if the worker is permanently disabled.

How much notice must I give when dismissing a domestic worker?

If employed six months or less, one week's written notice is required. If employed more than six months, four weeks' written notice is required. Instead of notice, you may pay the worker the equivalent wages for the notice period.

Is a verbal employment agreement legal?

No. Sectoral Determination 7 requires written particulars of employment for every domestic worker. A verbal agreement does not satisfy this requirement and leaves you legally exposed if a dispute arises at the CCMA.

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