Domestic Worker Minimum Wage 2026: What R30.23 an Hour Means for Your Household
From 1 March 2026 domestic workers must earn at least R30.23 an hour. What that means per day and month, and how to get it in writing.
Last checked: 15 Oct 2026 against the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) gazette and flyer.
If you employ a domestic worker, the most important number this year is R30.23 per ordinary hour worked. This guide explains where that figure comes from, what it means in practice, and how to put the agreed wage in writing.
What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in 2026?
The Minister of Employment and Labour amended the National Minimum Wage with effect from 1 March 2026. The national minimum wage is R30.23 for each ordinary hour worked, and the gazette states that domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R30.23 per hour (up from R28.79). NMW Amendment 2026, Government Gazette (labour.gov.za); Minister's statement, 3 Feb 2026 (gov.za).
What does that come to per day, week and month?
The DEL's 2026 flyer gives these worked examples (DEL National Minimum Wage flyer 2026 (labour.gov.za)):
| Hours | Day | Week | Month (week × 4.333) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 hours a day / 40 a week | R241.84 | R1,209.20 | R5,239.46 |
| 9 hours a day / 45 a week | R272.07 | R1,360.35 | R5,894.40 |
These are minimums. You may pay more, and many employers do.
Three rules employers often miss
- The four-hour minimum. The DEL flyer says a worker who works for less than four hours on any day must be paid for four hours that day.
- Benefits and tips don't count. The flyer says wage calculations exclude additional benefits, allowances and tips. A food parcel or transport money doesn't top up a wage that is below the minimum.
- Deductions are limited. Sectoral Determination 7 (SD7) clause 8 allows only specific deductions, for example no more than 10% of the wage for accommodation that meets set standards, and only certain others with the worker's written consent. SD7 clause 7 also says an employer may not fine a domestic worker. SD7 Government Gazette text, PDF (gov.za).
Hours, overtime, Sundays and public holidays
SD7 sets the framework (SD7 Government Gazette text, PDF (gov.za)). Note that SD7 was published in 2002; its wage tables have been replaced by the National Minimum Wage, so always use the current NMW figure above.
- Ordinary hours: no more than 45 hours a week, and no more than 9 hours a day (5 days or fewer a week) or 8 hours a day (more than 5 days a week) (clause 10).
- Overtime: only by agreement, at least 1.5 times the normal wage, with limits on how much (clauses 11 and 12).
- Sundays: double pay, or 1.5 times if Sunday is part of the worker's ordinary days (clause 17).
- Public holidays: paid, and work on a public holiday only by agreement, at least double the daily wage (clause 18).
What should you do now?
- Check the hourly rate you actually pay against R30.23, including part-time days (remember the four-hour rule).
- Put the wage in writing. SD7 clause 9 requires written particulars that include the wage, the rate and method of payment, and the overtime rate. See our guide to written particulars.
- Give a pay statement on each pay day. SD7 clause 6 and the DEL's DEL Basic Guide to Pay Slips (Domestic Workers) (labour.gov.za).aspx) list what it must show. Keep a copy for three years.
- Diarise 1 March. The national minimum wage is usually adjusted from 1 March. Check labour.gov.za each February.
How HouseholdSure SA helps
HouseholdSure SA is an online membership that helps households employ a domestic worker properly. Members get guided UIF capture with status tracking, employment contract templates their worker can view and sign, a secure document vault, basic legal support (general guidance and checklists, not legal advice; escalated matters are quoted separately by a partner) and WhatsApp updates. We help with the admin, but we can't guarantee the outcome of any registration, claim or dispute.
Our employment contract guide and domestic worker rights guide go further.
Plans for household employers (prices include VAT where applicable):
| Plan | Monthly | Once-off setup | First payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer — Individual (1 worker) | R179 | R199 | R378, then R179/month |
| Employer — Duo (up to 2 workers) | R299 | R199 | R498, then R299/month |
| Employer — Team | R99 per active worker | R199 | R99 × workers + R199 (e.g. 1 worker R298; 3 workers R496) |
Cancel any time, with no penalty or early-termination fee: from My Membership in your account, or by emailing cancellations@householdsuresa.co.za. Your membership stays active until the end of the current billing period, and partial months aren't refunded unless the law requires it (Refund & Cancellation Policy, sections 3–4; Terms, section 12.1). Full details: householdsuresa.co.za/pricing
Ready to get it in order? Sign up as an employer or compare plans. Questions? WhatsApp +27 64 511 0503 or call 087 265 0015 (Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00).
Official sources (last checked: 15 Oct 2026)
- NMW Amendment 2026, Government Gazette (labour.gov.za)
- DEL National Minimum Wage flyer 2026 (labour.gov.za)
- Minister's statement, 3 Feb 2026 (gov.za)
- Sectoral Determination 7: Domestic Worker Sector (gov.za)
- SD7 Government Gazette text, PDF (gov.za)
- DEL Basic Guide to Pay Slips (Domestic Workers) (labour.gov.za).aspx)
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act (gov.za)
General information, not legal advice. Laws and amounts change; check the official sources linked above. Last checked: 15 Oct 2026.
HHSSA Team · HOUSEHOLDSURE SA (PTY) LTD · Reg. 2026/656725/07 · Information Officer, HouseholdSure SA · info@householdsuresa.co.za · Privacy
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