How to choose a domestic helper agency in Hong Kong

Choose an agency by checking evidence in layers. Start with its legal identity and licence, then compare the service and written price, and only then use reviews and complaint information to look for patterns. No single rating or badge proves that an agency is suitable for every employer.

Match the legal identity

Use the Labour Department Employment Agencies Portal to confirm that the agency holds a valid licence. Match the licensed name and address to the branch or company asking for payment. A similar trading name is not enough.

Hong Kong guidance also notes that an agency may charge a job seeker no more than 10 percent of the first month's wages after successful placement. Employers should still ask for their own itemised service agreement and receipt.

Define the service before comparing price

Tell the agency whether the helper is overseas or in Hong Kong, whether you have already selected her, her nationality, and her contract status. Ask the agency to name the route on the quotation.

Compare the inclusions, exclusions, later charges, refund terms, and replacement terms. A lower published price may cover less work.

Read reviews by branch and date

Check the branch name, rating, review count, recency, repeated themes, and agency responses. A high average based on a small or old set of reviews carries less information than a larger, recent branch-specific history. Do not treat an individual comment as a verified finding.

Read the full Google review interpretation guide.

Keep evidence sources separate

Government licence actions, warnings, and convictions are not the same as customer reviews. Consumer Council reports may describe anonymous agencies and sector-wide dispute patterns. HelperIndex HK does not assign an anonymous case to a listed company.

If a profile says no exact match was found, read the checked date and scope. It is not a lifetime clean-record claim.

Put the agreement in writing

The Labour Department's Code of Practice expects a written service agreement that explains services, itemised fees, refunds, replacement arrangements, and receipts. Keep the quotation, agreement, payment record, and material messages.

Use the agency directory to build a shortlist, then repeat these five checks for each agency.