By Mario Labuschagne | Updated: 2026-08-01
- South African law imposes clear obligations on all domestic employers under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and Sectoral Determination 7.
- The National Minimum Wage for domestic workers from 1 March 2026 is R30.23 per hour as gazetted in GN 7083, GG 54075.
- Every domestic worker employed more than 24 hours per month must be registered for UIF under the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (Act 4 of 2002).
- Since the Constitutional Court ruling in Mahlangu v Minister of Labour (November 2020) all domestic employers must register with the Compensation Fund under COIDA.
- MyHelper manages full domestic employer compliance from R249 per month.
This guide covers everything South African domestic employers need to know about minimum wage for a domestic worker in south africa in 2026. The Department of Employment and Labour has intensified enforcement in private households and the consequences of non-compliance carry real financial and legal risk.
The Legal Framework for Domestic Employment in South Africa
The key laws governing domestic employment are the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (Act 75 of 1997), Sectoral Determination 7 (Domestic Worker Sector, December 2018), the National Minimum Wage Act (Act 9 of 2018), the Unemployment Insurance Act (Act 63 of 2001), the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (Act 4 of 2002) and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Act 130 of 1993) as extended to domestic workers by Constitutional Court order in November 2020.
Minimum Wage Requirements 2026
The National Minimum Wage for domestic workers from 1 March 2026 is R30.23 per hour. This applies to all domestic workers without exception — full-time, part-time, live-in and live-out.
| Work Pattern | Minimum Monthly Wage 2026 |
|---|---|
| Full-time 45 hours per week | R5,894.85 |
| 5 days per week at 8 hours per day | R5,239.86 |
| 3 days per week at 8 hours per day | R3,143.92 |
| 2 days per week at 8 hours per day | R2,094.94 |
| 1 day per week at 8 hours per day | R1,048.98 |
UIF Registration Obligations
Every domestic employer whose worker works more than 24 hours per month must register for UIF. Both employer and employee contribute 1% of the worker's monthly wage — total 2% — payable by the 7th of each month. Register online at www.ufiling.co.za or email domestics@uif.gov.za. Failure to register results in backdated contributions, a 10% penalty and interest charges.
COID Registration Obligations
Since the Constitutional Court ruling of November 2020, all domestic employers must register with the Compensation Fund. Domestic employers fall under Class M, subclass 2500 at an assessment rate of 1.04%. Submit a completed CF-1E form to RegistrationCF@labour.gov.za. An annual Return of Earnings must be submitted between 1 April and 31 May each year. MyHelper submits your annual ROE for free as part of the R249 per month subscription.
Working Hours and Overtime
Under Sectoral Determination 7, a domestic worker may not work more than 45 ordinary hours per week — 9 hours per day for a 5-day week or 8 hours per day for a 6-day week. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate and capped at 15 hours per week. No worker may work more than 12 hours on any single day including overtime.
Leave Entitlements for Domestic Workers 2026
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 15 working days per year | Or 1 day per 17 days worked by agreement |
| Sick leave | 6 weeks per 36-month cycle | 1 day per 26 days in first 6 months |
| Maternity leave | 4 consecutive months | Unpaid unless employer agrees otherwise |
| Family responsibility leave | 5 days per year paid | Employed more than 4 months and working 4 or more days per week |
Written Employment Contract Requirement
Sectoral Determination 7 requires every domestic employer to provide their worker with written particulars of employment. The contract must include job description, place of work, working hours, wage and allowances, leave entitlements and notice period. A verbal agreement does not satisfy this requirement. MyHelper generates a legally compliant employment contract for every domestic worker added to the platform.
Notice Periods for Termination
Minimum notice periods are one week for workers employed six months or less, and four weeks for workers employed more than six months. Notice must be given in writing. An employer may pay wages in lieu of notice. Dismissal without a valid reason and fair procedure exposes the employer to an unfair dismissal claim at the CCMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South African labour law apply to my part-time domestic worker?
Yes with some exceptions. The National Minimum Wage, written contract requirements and working hour limits apply to all domestic workers. UIF registration is only required if the worker works more than 24 hours per month for that specific employer. Annual leave accrues at 1 day per 17 days worked for part-time workers.
Can I dismiss my domestic worker without notice?
Summary dismissal is only permitted for serious misconduct such as theft or wilful damage to property. Even then a fair procedure must be followed — the worker must be informed of the allegation and given an opportunity to respond. Dismissal for any lesser reason without notice exposes you to an unfair dismissal claim at the CCMA which can result in compensation of up to 12 months wages.
What is the CCMA and can my domestic worker take me there?
The Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration is a dispute resolution body established under the Labour Relations Act. Domestic workers have the same rights to refer disputes to the CCMA as any other employee. Common referrals include unfair dismissal, unfair labour practices and failure to pay correct wages or UIF contributions.
How does MyHelper help with domestic employer compliance?
MyHelper handles UIF registration, COID registration, monthly payroll, payslip generation, leave tracking, employment contract generation and annual COID Return of Earnings submissions. MyHelper has processed over R14 million in domestic worker payroll and completed more than 5,300 compliance submissions on behalf of South African households. R399 once-off for registration and R249 per month for ongoing compliance.
Need help with compliance?
MyHelper makes UIF, COID, payslips and labour law compliance simple — from R249/month.