If you employ a domestic worker in South Africa — a cleaner, nanny, gardener, au pair, or household cook — you are legally required to provide a written payslip on every pay day. Many household employers don't realise this, but the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and Sectoral Determination 7 apply to all domestic workers, and non-compliance can result in fines from the Department of Employment and Labour.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what must be on the payslip, minimum wage requirements, UIF registration, when PAYE applies, and how to generate a compliant payslip using our free tool.
Who Counts as a Domestic Worker?
Under Sectoral Determination 7, a domestic worker is any person employed in or about a private household. This includes:
- Cleaners and housekeepers
- Nannies, au pairs, and childminders
- Gardeners and property caretakers
- Domestic cooks and household chefs
- Drivers employed by a private household
- Any other person performing domestic work in a private home
If someone works in your home and you pay them — even part-time — you are their employer and the BCEA applies.
What Must a Domestic Worker Payslip Include?
Section 33 of the BCEA requires every payslip to include:
- Employer's name and address — your full name and home address
- Employee's name and occupation — e.g. "Jane Doe — Domestic Worker"
- Period of payment — the dates covered (e.g. "1–31 March 2026")
- Ordinary hours worked and rate of pay — e.g. 45 hours/week at R27.58/hour
- Overtime hours and overtime rate — if applicable, at 1.5x the normal rate
- Sunday or public holiday hours and rate — if applicable, at 2x the normal rate
- Any other payments — bonuses, transport allowance, etc.
- Any deductions — UIF (1%), PAYE (if applicable), and any agreed deductions
- Actual amount paid — the net amount the worker takes home
Important: The payslip is the property of the domestic worker. You must provide it on the day of payment — not "when they ask for it."
Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers (2025/2026)
Since 2021, domestic workers receive the same national minimum wage as all other workers in South Africa. As of 2025, the national minimum wage is:
| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Per hour | R27.58 |
| Per day (9 hours) | R248.22 |
| Per week (45 hours) | R1,241.10 |
| Per month (approx.) | R5,378.10 |
The minimum wage is reviewed annually and typically increases each March. Check the Department of Employment and Labour website for the latest rates.
UIF for Domestic Workers
Since April 2003, all domestic workers are covered by the Unemployment Insurance Act. As a household employer, you must:
- Register with the UIF — complete a UI-8 form at your nearest Department of Labour office or register online at uFiling (www.ufiling.co.za)
- Deduct 1% from the worker's salary — this is the employee's UIF contribution
- Contribute a matching 1% — the employer's UIF contribution
- Pay the combined 2% to the UIF monthly — via uFiling or at a Labour Centre
For a domestic worker earning R5,378 per month, the monthly UIF contribution is R53.78 from the worker and R53.78 from you (total R107.56 per month).
UIF covers your domestic worker if they become unemployed, fall ill, go on maternity leave, or in the case of death (dependants can claim).
Does PAYE Apply to Domestic Workers?
PAYE only applies if the domestic worker earns above the SARS tax threshold. For the 2025/2026 tax year, the thresholds are:
- Under 65: R95,750 per year (~R7,979/month)
- 65–74: R148,217 per year
- 75+: R165,689 per year
Most domestic workers earn below R7,979 per month, which means PAYE usually does not apply. However, if you employ a full-time live-in domestic worker with a salary above this threshold, you must register as an employer with SARS and deduct PAYE.
Our payslip generator automatically calculates whether PAYE applies based on the salary you enter — it will show R0 PAYE if the worker is below the threshold.
How to Generate a Domestic Worker Payslip
The easiest way to create a compliant payslip is to use our free payslip generator:
- Enter your name and address as the employer
- Enter the domestic worker's name and "Domestic Worker" as the job title
- Set the pay period (e.g. "March 2026")
- Enter the monthly salary — PAYE and UIF are calculated automatically
- Add any allowances (transport, meals) or extra deductions
- Download the PDF payslip and give a copy to your worker
You can also download a blank payslip template in Excel or Word format if you prefer to fill it in manually.
Record-Keeping Requirements
As an employer of a domestic worker, you must keep the following records for at least 3 years(BCEA) or 5 years (SARS):
- A copy of every payslip issued
- Records of hours worked (ordinary and overtime)
- Leave records (annual leave, sick leave, family responsibility leave)
- UIF payment receipts
- The employment contract (Sectoral Determination 7 requires a written contract)
Leave Entitlements for Domestic Workers
Domestic workers are entitled to the same leave as all other employees under the BCEA:
- Annual leave: 21 consecutive days per year (or 1 day for every 17 days worked)
- Sick leave: 30 days over a 3-year cycle (in the first 6 months, 1 day for every 26 days worked)
- Family responsibility leave: 3 days per year (for birth of child, illness or death of close family)
- Maternity leave: 4 consecutive months (unpaid, but UIF provides up to 66% of salary)
Use our leave calculator to track entitlements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not providing a payslip at all — this is the most common violation and can result in a compliance order
- Not registering for UIF — household employers must register even for part-time workers
- Paying below minimum wage — the national minimum wage applies to all domestic workers
- Not having a written contract — required under Sectoral Determination 7
- Making deductions without written consent — you cannot deduct anything (other than statutory deductions) without the worker's written agreement
- Not keeping records — payslips, leave records, and contracts must be kept for 3–5 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I legally need to give my domestic worker a payslip?
Yes. Section 33 of the BCEA requires every employer — including private households employing domestic workers — to provide a written payslip on each pay day. Non-compliance can result in a compliance order and fine from the Department of Employment and Labour.
Do I need to register for UIF for my domestic worker?
Yes. All employers of domestic workers must register with the UIF and pay monthly contributions of 2% of the worker's salary (1% from the employee, 1% from the employer). You can register at uFiling (www.ufiling.co.za) or at your nearest Labour Centre.
Do I need to deduct PAYE from my domestic worker?
Only if the domestic worker earns above the SARS tax threshold (approximately R95,750 per year or R7,979 per month for 2025/2026). Most domestic workers earn below this threshold, so PAYE often does not apply. If it does, you must register as an employer with SARS.
What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in 2026?
The national minimum wage for domestic workers is the same as the general minimum wage: R27.58 per hour (approximately R5,378 per month for a 45-hour week). The rate is reviewed annually.
Can I deduct accommodation or meals from my domestic worker's salary?
Only with the worker's written consent, and deductions for accommodation may not exceed 10% of the worker's salary. Deductions for meals may not exceed 10% either. The total of all non-statutory deductions (excluding UIF and PAYE) must not exceed 25% of the worker's salary.
What happens if I don't comply?
The Department of Employment and Labour can issue a compliance order requiring you to remedy the breach. If you fail to comply, you can be fined. In serious cases, you could face prosecution. Domestic workers can also approach the CCMA for disputes about unpaid wages or unfair treatment.