What a domestic worker really costs in 2026 (wage, UIF and COIDA)

Most households know the hourly minimum wage. Fewer know what employing someone actually costs once UIF, COIDA, overtime and public holidays are added. This post works it out in rands for 2026, for a full-time and a part-time worker, and shows where every figure comes from.

1. The wage: R30.23 an hour from 1 March 2026

Since 1 March 2022 domestic workers have been on the full national minimum wage - there is no longer a lower domestic rate. The 2026 review raised it from R28.79 to R30.23 per ordinary hour, effective 1 March 2026 (Government Gazette No. 54075, Notice R7083 of 3 February 2026). That is a 5% increase.

The minimum is per hour, so the monthly figure depends on hours. The legal maximum is 45 ordinary hours a week, and a month averages 52 ÷ 12 = 4.33 weeks:

One rule catches people out: under Sectoral Determination 7, a worker who works fewer than four hours on a day must be paid for at least four hours. A "quick two hours of ironing" is a four-hour day for pay purposes.

Check your own hours with the CalcSA minimum wage calculator.

2. UIF: 1% from her, 1% from you

If she works more than 24 hours a month for you, both of you contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund: 1% of her pay is deducted from her wage, and you add another 1% of your own. Contributions are capped at earnings of R17,712 a month, which no minimum-wage domestic job comes close to.

• Full time: R58.95 deducted from her, R58.95 from you - R117.90 paid over each month.
• Two days a week: R20.96 each - R41.92 a month.

Only your 1% is an extra cost to you; her 1% comes out of the wage you already pay. Our UIF calculator works it out for any wage, and the step-by-step UIF guide explains how to register and pay.

3. COIDA: the cost most households miss

Since the Constitutional Court's ruling in Mahlangu v Minister of Labour (November 2020), domestic workers are covered by the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. Households have been able to register with the Compensation Fund since 10 March 2021, and must register within seven days of employing someone.

Once registered, you submit a Return of Earnings each year (the window opens on 1 April and closes on 30 June) and pay an assessment:

• Domestic employers fall in tariff Class M, at about 1.04% of the year's wages.
• There is a minimum assessment of R560 a year for a household employer, so a part-time worker costs you R560 even when 1.04% would be less.

The bigger reason to register is not the cost but the risk: if an unregistered employer's worker is injured at work, the Fund can recover the cost of the claim from the employer. Estimate your own assessment with the CalcSA COIDA calculator. The tariff and minimum are set by gazette each year - check the Compensation Fund notice before you pay.

4. Overtime, Sundays and public holidays

The base cost above assumes no extra hours. Extras are paid at set multiples of the hourly wage:

South Africa has 12 public holidays. If one falls on a day she would normally work and she stays home, she is paid as normal - that is already inside the monthly wage. If you ask her to work it, a nine-hour day costs R544.14 instead of R272.07. The CalcSA overtime calculator and our payslip tool both handle these rates.

5. Leave is paid, but it is not extra

A full-time worker is entitled to 21 consecutive days' paid annual leave a year, sick leave, and three days' family responsibility leave. All of these are paid at her normal wage, so they do not raise the monthly cost - but plan for cover if you need someone in the house during her leave. When employment ends, untaken annual leave must be paid out (CalcSA leave pay calculator).

6. What is not required

• A 13th cheque or bonus is not required by law. If your contract promises one, it becomes part of the deal.
• Transport money and meals are not required, though many households provide them.
• PAYE does not apply in practice: a full-time minimum wage of about R70,700 a year is below the income tax threshold.
• Skills Development Levy only applies to employers whose total payroll is over R500,000 a year.

You may deduct for accommodation only if the room meets the standard set out in Sectoral Determination 7, and then by at most 10% of the wage.

The full picture

That is about R72,200 a year for a full-time worker on the minimum, before any overtime, bonus or extras. The CalcSA employer cost calculator runs the same sum for any salary.

General information, not legal advice. Every figure we use is on the rates page with its source.