By 2046, experts predict that one in every three people in Hong Kong will be 60 years old and above. To address the city’s rapidly ageing population, the government is set on launching a pilot scheme: hiring foreign domestic carers to look after elderly people at home.
The announcement was made by none other than Chief Executive John Lee during his Policy Address on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The new scheme will be launched next year, to be modelled after the current system for admitting foreign domestic helpers.
New Pilot Scheme for Elderly Care in HK
Under the pilot scheme, foreign domestic carers could earn 10 to 20 percent more than the current rate for domestic helpers, according to Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, as mentioned in a report by rthk.hk.
The Secretary stated that the new scheme offers people a choice. If they need a domestic helper, they can continue hiring one from the foreign domestic helper market, he explained. But if they need someone who is certified in providing elderly care, they can hire a foreign domestic carer.
Advanced Training, Experience Needed
Furthermore, Sun mentioned that only applicants with advanced training and at least three years of experience in elderly care would be considered for the pilot scheme. Nonetheless, carers would receive certified training that is equivalent to the level of a health worker in residential care homes.
Under the new system, foreign domestic carers would be expected to perform other household duties, such as cooking. As live-in workers, they will not be allowed to take on other jobs or engage in business. Moreover, they will be employed on two-year contracts, with one day off each week.
PH and HK in Talks Regarding New Scheme
When asked if the Philippine government has begun preparing for the new scheme, Consul General Romulo Israel Jr. shared that they’ve started discussions with the Hong Kong Labour Department. “We’re ready to take it to the next level,” he said, as cited by The Sun Hong Kong.
For Filipinos who are interested in becoming domestic carers abroad, Hong Kong’s upcoming scheme for elderly care could be just what they’re looking for. As long as they have the necessary skills and certifications, they have a good chance of landing a job as foreign domestic carers.
On that note, carers must keep in mind that mental health is just as important as physical well-being. Here’s a practical guide on how domestic workers and carers can attend to their ward’s mental health.