Government of B.C.

What you'll need

To register a domestic worker with the Employment Standards Branch, you'll need to tell us the following information:

About the employers

  • The name, address, email address and phone number for anyone who supervises, directs work or pays the domestic worker

If you're completing this on behalf of the employer

  • Your name, phone number and email address
  • How you know them

If you have help from a representative to hire the worker

  • The name, phone number and email address of the person who helped you
  • If this person works for an agency, recruitment firm or other business, you'll also need:
    • The legal business or organization name of their employer

About the domestic worker

  • The name, address and phone number of each domestic worker (up to 3)
  • If the domestic worker does not have a phone number, the employer's home phone can be used

Work locations

  • The address of each work location

Overview

Domestic workers provide services like child care, cooking and cleaning in a private home. Employers can hire a domestic worker directly or through a licensed employment agency or foreign worker recruiter.

Anyone who supervises, directs or pays a domestic worker becomes an employer. Employers have responsibilities towards their employees.

Apply

Employers must register a domestic worker within 30 days of hiring them.

1

Before work begins

The employer and domestic worker must sign an employment contract. The contract must include the domestic worker's:

  • Work duties
  • Hours of work
  • Wage and payment schedule
  • Charges for room and board, if allowed

You don't need to give a copy of this contract to the Employment Standards Branch.

2

Submit your application to register

You can register a domestic worker online. You will receive an automatic email that confirms your registration. 

Register, Submit your application to register, opens in a new window [Mandatory]
3

Other ways to register

You can register by mail, fax or in person using the printable Domestic worker registration form (PDF, 213.5KB).

Next Steps

After work begins, you have responsibilities towards your employees.

You need to notify the Employment Standards Branch by email at EmploymentStandards@esb.gov.bc.ca if:

  • Your contact information changes
  • A domestic worker's address or phone number changes
  • You no longer employ a domestic worker

Contact

Find answers

Ask a question or get confidential support about your situation.

Contact Employment Standards

Need help with translation?

Someone can help you in the language of your choice.

Call 1-833-236-3700

Service is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm Pacific Time.