How many leave days is a domestic worker entitled to?

Under Sectoral Determination 7, a domestic worker is entitled to 15 consecutive days' paid annual leave per completed year of service (or 1.25 days per month for workers who have not yet completed a year). Sick leave is 30 days over a 3-year cycle (approximately 10 days per year). Family responsibility leave is 3 days per year. Leave must be taken and cannot simply be paid out in lieu, except on termination of employment.

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 R5,895/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.

What are the legal requirements for employing a domestic worker in South Africa?

You must: pay at least R26.09/hour (2026 sectoral minimum), register with the UIF and contribute 2% of wages (1% each), provide a written employment contract, comply with BCEA leave and notice period rules, and pay into the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) fund if required.

Do I have to pay UIF for my domestic worker in South Africa?

Yes. Any domestic worker working more than 24 hours per month must be registered for UIF. You contribute 1% of their gross wage and deduct another 1% from their pay — total 2%. Failure to register is an offence. Register at your nearest Department of Labour office or online at uFiling.

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 for a 6-day week). Overtime may be agreed at 1.5× the rate, up to 15 hours per week. They are entitled to 36 consecutive hours off per week, typically including Sunday.

What leave is a domestic worker entitled to in South Africa?

The BCEA grants domestic workers 21 consecutive days (15 working days) annual leave per cycle, 6 weeks paid sick leave per 3-year cycle, 3 days paid family responsibility leave per year, and 4 months unpaid maternity leave (with UIF maternity benefits payable). Public holidays are paid if they fall on a normal working day.

Domestic Worker Calculator South Africa 2026

Q: What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in South Africa 2026?

The minimum wage for domestic workers in South Africa is R30.23 per hour as of March 2026, set under Sectoral Determination 7 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. A domestic worker working 45 hours per week at minimum wage earns approximately R5,895 per month. Employers who pay less than this rate are in violation of the BCEA and can be reported to the Department of Employment and Labour.

Q: Must I pay UIF for my domestic worker?

Yes. UIF registration and contributions are compulsory for domestic workers in South Africa — this was formalised under the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Act of 2003. Both the employer and the domestic worker each contribute 1% of the gross wage, capped at earnings of R17,712 per month. The employer is responsible for registering the domestic worker with the UIF, deducting the employee's 1%, and paying the combined 2% to the UIF by the 7th of each month using the uFiling system.

Q: Can I deduct accommodation costs from my domestic worker's pay?

Yes, but only up to a maximum of 10% of the domestic worker's gross wage, and only if the accommodation is provided by the employer as part of the employment contract. The deduction must be agreed to in writing. A full-time live-in domestic worker earning R6,000/month can have a maximum accommodation deduction of R600/month. You cannot deduct for utilities, meals, or other costs unless these are also agreed to in writing within the 10% cap.

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:

/* Minimum monthly pay calculation for 45hrs/week */
Hourly rate = R30.23 per hour (SD7 minimum, March 2026)
Weekly pay = R30.23 × 45 hours = R1,360.35
Weeks per month = 52 ÷ 12 = 4.333
Monthly gross = R1,360.35 × 4.333 = R5,894.85

/* UIF employee deduction (1%, capped at R17,712 gross) */
Employee UIF = R5,894.85 × 1% = R58.95
Net take-home = R5,894.85 − R58.95 = R5,835.90

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 R5,895/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 pay	R45 × 45hrs × (52÷12)	R8,775.00
Overtime monthly pay	R45 × 1.5 × 2hrs × (52÷12)	R585.00
Gross monthly pay	Regular + Overtime	R9,360.00
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-home		R9,066.80
Employer UIF (1%)	R9,360 × 1%	+ R93.60
Total employer cost		R9,453.60

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 R5,895 per month. Employers paying less than this rate are in violation of the BCEA and can face fines of up to R10,000 per violation, payable to the affected employee. 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 and have been since 2003. Both you and your worker each contribute 1% of the gross wage. You are responsible for registering on uFiling.co.za, deducting the 1% from the worker's pay, adding your own 1%, and paying the combined 2% by the 7th of each month. Failure to register and pay UIF can result in penalties, interest, and the requirement to backpay all missed contributions with interest.

How many leave days is my domestic worker entitled to?

Under SD7, your domestic worker is entitled to 15 consecutive days' paid annual leave per completed year of service — roughly 3 weeks. If they have not yet completed a year, they accrue 1.25 days per month. They are also entitled to 30 days' sick leave over a 3-year cycle (≈ 10 per year), 3 days' family responsibility leave per year, and 4 months' unpaid maternity leave. Annual leave must be taken — you cannot simply pay it out in lieu except on termination.

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.

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 365 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.

Related Calculators

Read our complete guide: Domestic Worker Rights in South Africa — minimum wage, UIF obligations, leave entitlement and employer legal duties.

For a full employer cost breakdown across multiple staff, see the Payroll Cost Calculator — includes SDL, COIDA and UIF.

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.

Domestic Worker Pay Calculator South Africa

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