Domestic Worker Pay Calculator South Africa

Calculate pay, UIF contributions, PAYE and leave entitlement for domestic workers under Sectoral Determination 7. Minimum wage R30.23/hr. Employer cost included.

Domestic Workers Updated: 3 Jun 2026 · 2026/2027 tax year · By Faheema Sheikh

Domestic workers in South Africa are protected under Sectoral Determination 7, which sets minimum wages, UIF obligations, PAYE rules and overtime rates specific to this employment category. Whether you are an employer calculating your monthly obligations or a domestic worker verifying your correct pay, this calculator applies the current SD7 rates and the UIF Act to give you a full breakdown of gross pay, deductions and take-home pay.

What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker in South Africa?

As of the 2026/2027 wage cycle, domestic workers are covered by South Africa's National Minimum Wage Act, which sets one national hourly minimum rate for all sectors. Employers must also register domestic workers for UIF, deducting 1% employee contribution matched by a 1% employer contribution. Verify the current rate at labour.gov.za.

🏠 Domestic Worker Details

Calculation method
Minimum wage is R30.23/hr under Sectoral Determination 7
R
✓ Meets minimum wage
Maximum 45 ordinary hours/week under BCEA
Paid at 1.5× normal rate
Paid at 2× normal rate
🏠 Enter pay details above Your pay breakdown, UIF, PAYE and employer cost will appear here instantly.

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter hourly rate and hours

Enter the hourly rate (minimum R30.23/hr from 1 March 2026) and the hours worked per week.

Add overtime and Sunday hours

Enter any overtime hours (1.5×) and Sunday hours (2× if Sunday is not an ordinary working day).

UIF is calculated at 1%

Employee UIF is 1% of gross earnings — capped at earnings of R17,712/month. Employer also contributes 1%.

PAYE calculated if applicable

If monthly earnings exceed R8,250 (the tax threshold), estimated PAYE is shown.

Accommodation deduction applied

If the employer provides accommodation, up to 10% may be deducted — but net pay cannot fall below NMW.

How Domestic Worker Pay is Calculated in South Africa

South Africa's domestic workers — gardeners, cleaning staff, childminders, cooks, and live-in helpers — are protected by a dedicated piece of legislation: Sectoral Determination 7 (SD7), issued under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA). SD7 sets the minimum wage, maximum working hours, leave entitlements and other conditions specifically for household workers. Alongside SD7, the UIF Act and the Income Tax Act govern deductions and employer obligations.

Many household employers — even well-intentioned ones — unknowingly underpay, over-deduct, or fail to register their workers for UIF. This calculator is designed to give you the correct numbers in seconds, so you can pay your domestic worker legally and fairly.

The Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers (2026)

The minimum wage for domestic workers is R30.23 per hour as of 1 March 2026, updated annually under Sectoral Determination 7. For a full-time worker doing 45 ordinary hours per week, this works out to approximately:

UIF for Domestic Workers — What Employers Must Do

UIF registration for domestic workers has been compulsory since 2003 under the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Act. Despite this, a significant number of domestic workers remain unregistered — leaving them without a safety net when they lose employment, fall ill, or go on maternity leave.

As an employer, your obligations are:

  • Register as an employer on the uFiling system at uFiling.co.za
  • Register your domestic worker as an employee
  • Deduct 1% of gross wages from the worker's pay each month
  • Add your own 1% employer contribution
  • Submit the combined 2% to the UIF by the 7th of each month

The UIF contribution is capped at earnings of R17,712 per month — so the maximum combined monthly contribution is R354.24 (R177.12 each). Most domestic workers earn well below this cap.

Overtime and Sunday Pay Under SD7

Domestic workers may not work more than 45 ordinary hours per week, or 9 hours per day (for a 5-day week). Any hours beyond these limits are overtime, which must be paid at 1.5 times the normal rate. The maximum permitted overtime is 10 hours per week.

Work performed on a Sunday attracts double pay — 2 times the normal rate. If a Sunday is already included in the worker's ordinary week (for example, a live-in worker who regularly works Sundays), the first Sunday of the month may be at ordinary time; the employer should seek legal advice on their specific arrangements. Work on public holidays also attracts double pay, or the worker may agree to take a substitute day off.

Leave Entitlements Under Sectoral Determination 7

SD7 provides domestic workers with the following leave entitlements:

Leave Type Entitlement Notes
Annual leave 15 consecutive days per year Or 1.25 days per month; full pay during leave
Sick leave 30 days per 3-year cycle ≈ 10 days/year; requires medical certificate after 2 consecutive days
Family responsibility 3 days per year Death or illness of immediate family member
Maternity leave 4 months unpaid UIF maternity benefit applies if registered
Public holidays All 12 SA public holidays At full pay; double time if required to work

Accommodation Deductions — The 10% Rule

If you provide your domestic worker with free or subsidised accommodation (such as a garden flat or room on your property), you may deduct up to 10% of the gross wage for the accommodation benefit. This deduction is strictly regulated:

  • It must be agreed to in writing — verbal agreements are not enforceable
  • The maximum deduction is 10% of gross wages regardless of the market value of the accommodation
  • You cannot deduct additionally for utilities, water, or electricity unless separately agreed in writing
  • The accommodation must be habitable and comply with local bylaws

For a domestic worker earning R6,500/month, the maximum accommodation deduction is R650/month. This reduces the employer's cash obligation while still meeting the minimum wage requirement — because minimum wage applies to total remuneration (cash + accommodation value).

Does My Domestic Worker Pay Income Tax?

The good news for most household employers: the vast majority of domestic workers in South Africa earn below the income tax threshold and therefore pay no PAYE. For the 2026/2027 tax year, the annual tax threshold is approximately R99,000 (roughly R8,250/month for workers under 65). A full-time domestic worker at minimum wage earns approximately R5,894/month — comfortably below the threshold.

However, higher-paid domestic workers — such as senior childminders, housekeepers with specialised skills, or long-serving workers whose pay has been increased significantly above minimum wage — may earn above the threshold. In those cases, the employer is responsible for:

  • Registering as an employer with SARS
  • Calculating PAYE using SARS 2026/2027 brackets (18%–45%)
  • Deducting PAYE monthly and submitting via the EMP201 return
  • Issuing an IRP5 to the worker at year-end

Step-by-Step Manual Calculation Example

Here is a worked example for a domestic worker paid above minimum wage — R45/hr, 45 hours per week, 2 hours of overtime per week, with no accommodation deduction:

Item Calculation Amount
Regular monthly payR45 × 45hrs × (52÷12)R8,775.00
Overtime monthly payR45 × 1.5 × 2hrs × (52÷12)R585.00
Gross monthly payRegular + OvertimeR9,360.00
Employee UIF (1%)R9,360 × 1%− R93.60
PAYE (annualised: R9,360 × 12 = R112,320)(R112,320 × 18%) − R17,820 ÷ 12− R199.60
Worker's net take-homeR9,066.80
Employer UIF (1%)R9,360 × 1%+ R93.60
Total employer costR9,453.60

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in South Africa 2026?
The minimum wage for domestic workers is R30.23 per hour as of 1 March 2026 under Sectoral Determination 7. For a full-time worker doing 45 hours per week, this equals approximately R5,894 per month. Employers paying less than this rate are in violation of the BCEA and National Minimum Wage Act. Under Section 73A of the NMW Act, a non-compliant employer can be ordered to pay the affected worker the full underpayment, plus a fine of twice the underpayment or twice the worker's monthly wage — whichever is greater — for a first offence, and three times for repeat offences. The rate is reviewed annually, typically increasing on 1 March each year.
Must I pay UIF for my domestic worker?
Yes. UIF contributions are compulsory for domestic workers who work more than 24 hours per month, and have been since 2003. Both you and your worker each contribute 1% of the gross wage — a combined 2% — capped at earnings of R17,712 per month. You're responsible for registering on uFiling.co.za, deducting the worker's 1%, adding your own 1%, and paying the combined amount by the 7th of each month. Failure to register and pay UIF can result in penalties, interest, and a requirement to backpay all missed contributions.
How many leave days is my domestic worker entitled to?
Under Sectoral Determination 7, your domestic worker is entitled to 21 consecutive days' annual leave per year (equivalent to 15 working days for a 5-day week) — accruing at 1.25 days per month if they haven't completed a full year yet. They're also entitled to 6 weeks' paid sick leave per 3-year cycle (about 10 days per year), 3 days' family responsibility leave per year, and 4 months' unpaid maternity leave (with UIF maternity benefits payable). Annual leave must be taken — you cannot simply pay it out in lieu, except on termination — and public holidays are paid if they fall on a normal working day.
Can I deduct accommodation costs from my domestic worker's salary?
Yes, but only up to 10% of the gross wage, and only if the accommodation is provided by you as part of the employment arrangement. The deduction must be agreed to in writing before being applied. A worker earning R6,000/month can have a maximum R600/month deducted for accommodation. You cannot also charge for water, electricity, or meals under this provision unless separately agreed in writing — and the total of all such deductions cannot reduce the cash component below the minimum wage.
Does my domestic worker pay income tax (PAYE)?
Most domestic workers in South Africa do not pay PAYE because their earnings fall below the annual tax threshold of R99,000 (approximately R8,250/month for the 2026/2027 tax year). A domestic worker at minimum wage earning around R5,894/month is well below this threshold and pays no income tax. However, higher-paid domestic workers — those earning above R8,250/month — will have PAYE deducted by the employer using SARS 2026/2027 tax brackets. The employer is responsible for registering as an employer with SARS and submitting monthly EMP201 returns.
How is overtime calculated for domestic workers?
Under Sectoral Determination 7, overtime for domestic workers is paid at 1.5 times the normal hourly rate for all hours worked beyond 45 per week, or beyond 9 hours in any day (for a 5-day week). Work on Sundays is paid at 2 times the normal rate. Work on public holidays is also paid at double the normal rate, or the worker may agree to take a day off in lieu. Maximum overtime is 10 hours per week.
How many hours can a domestic worker work in South Africa?
A domestic worker may work a maximum of 45 ordinary hours per week — 9 hours per day for a 5-day week, or 8 hours per day for a 6-day week. They're entitled to at least 36 consecutive hours off per week, typically including a Sunday. Any hours worked beyond the ordinary limit are overtime, paid at the rates and weekly cap described above.
What happens if my domestic worker is retrenched or I end the employment?
On termination, you must pay all outstanding wages, any accrued but untaken annual leave (at full pay), and any applicable notice pay. If the worker is retrenched (the position becomes redundant), severance pay of 1 week's pay per completed year of service is also due. If they have been registered with UIF, they can claim unemployment benefits through the Department of Employment and Labour — typically receiving 38%–60% of their wage for up to 238 days. Use our UIF Benefit Calculator to estimate their payout.
What notice period must I give my domestic worker?
Notice periods under the BCEA for domestic workers depend on length of service: 1 week during the first 6 months; 2 weeks from 6 months to 1 year; 4 weeks for workers employed for more than 1 year. Notice must be in writing. If you dismiss a domestic worker without giving proper notice, you must pay the equivalent wages for the notice period as a lump sum. Use our Notice Period Calculator to work out the exact period and payment.

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Domestic Worker Rights in South Africa Minimum Wage South Africa 2026: Full Breakdown How Many Leave Days Are You Entitled to in South Africa? Overtime Rules in South Africa: What Employers Must Pay (2026)
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on Sectoral Determination 7 minimum wage rates (effective March 2026), SARS 2026/2027 tax brackets, and current UIF regulations. Actual pay obligations may differ based on specific employment contracts, collective agreements, domestic worker sector updates, or individual SARS tax directives. Accommodation deduction rules and leave entitlements are subject to the written employment contract. This tool does not constitute legal or financial advice. For complex employment disputes, consult the Department of Employment and Labour or a registered labour law practitioner.