Hiring in Singapore is becoming increasingly competitive due to the country’s rapid economic transformation and its status as a regional business hub. Whether you’re a global enterprise, scaling startup, or regional HQ, partnering with the right staffing agency in Singapore offers a powerful advantage. This 2025 guide explores the role of staffing firms, hiring models, compliance insights, and why global companies choose platforms like Asanify to streamline their Singapore workforce.
Table of Contents
- What Does a Staffing Agency Do and When Should You Use One?
- Common Roles Singapore Staffing Firms Fill Across Industries
- Why Staffing Partnerships Give Singapore Companies a Competitive Hiring Edge
- Staffing, Recruiting, and EOR: Which Hiring Model Fits Your Business?
- Hiring Models Used by Singapore Staffing Providers
- The 10 Leading Staffing Agencies in Singapore in 2025
- Detailed Comparison of Top 10 Staffing Agencies in Singapore
- Which Singapore Cities Are Leading in Staffing Demand?
- How to Select the Right Staffing Partner for Your Hiring Needs
- Why Global Companies Choose Asanify for Flexible, Global-Ready Hiring
- FAQs
What Does a Staffing Agency Do and When Should You Use One?
A staffing agency in Singapore serves as a bridge between employers and job seekers. These firms recruit, screen, and place candidates in temporary, contract, or permanent roles based on a company’s requirements. Most staffing firms also manage onboarding, payroll, CPF contributions, and compliance with the Employment Act and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulations.
Staffing agencies bring speed, flexibility, and scalability to the hiring process. They are especially valuable when companies need to expand quickly, reduce hiring risk, or access hard-to-find talent. Many firms also offer employer of record (EOR) services, helping businesses hire without setting up a legal entity in Singapore.
You should consider partnering with a staffing agency in Singapore when:
- You’re hiring rapidly to meet project or seasonal demand.
- You want to reduce HR burden and speed up recruitment cycles.
- You require specialized talent for niche sectors like fintech, medtech, or supply chain.
- You need local compliance support for work permits or CPF registration.
- You’re expanding into Singapore and want to avoid the complexity of entity setup.
Common Roles Singapore Staffing Firms Fill Across Industries
Singapore staffing agencies cater to a wide range of industries, including:
- Tech & IT: Software developers, DevOps engineers, cybersecurity specialists.
- Finance & Accounting: Auditors, payroll specialists, financial analysts.
- Admin & Operations: Executive assistants, office managers, HR support.
- Healthcare & Biotech: Lab technicians, clinical research associates.
- Manufacturing & Logistics: Warehouse staff, logistics coordinators, engineers.
- Sales & Customer Support: Telesales reps, account managers, CS executives.
Why Staffing Partnerships Give Singapore Companies a Competitive Hiring Edge
In Singapore’s highly regulated and fast-paced business environment, staffing partnerships offer a strategic advantage to companies of all sizes. These firms not only provide access to skilled, job-ready professionals but also help organizations stay agile while maintaining compliance with local employment laws. By outsourcing recruitment and HR administration, companies can reduce overhead, speed up hiring, and focus on core business operations.
Access to Pre-Vetted Talent Pools
Staffing firms maintain deep talent pipelines across industries, giving you access to top-tier candidates without the hassle of sourcing from scratch. This saves significant time in the hiring process and reduces the likelihood of a bad hire. These candidates are typically already background-checked, skill-assessed, and familiar with the local industry environment, making them job-ready from day one.
Accelerated Hiring Timelines
With ready candidates and streamlined processes, roles can be filled in days—not weeks. Most staffing agencies maintain a robust database of qualified professionals and use technology-enabled workflows to match candidates quickly to open positions. This agility is especially useful in fast-paced sectors like IT, logistics, and customer service where speed is critical.
Agile Workforce Management
Easily scale teams up or down based on your project cycle, seasonal demand, or business outlook. Staffing agencies give companies the flexibility to bring on temporary talent for new product launches, expansion into new markets, or even pilot projects. This workforce fluidity helps businesses stay lean while adapting to market demands without incurring the risk of over-hiring.
Legal and HR Compliance
Singapore has strict employment rules, including CPF contributions, EP/S Pass sponsorships, and worker classification laws. Staffing agencies ensure compliance from day one. They handle employment contracts, regulatory filings, and contributions to mandatory schemes, protecting employers from costly fines or disputes related to misclassification or non-compliance.
Cost Predictability
Fixed pricing models and bundled service packages reduce HR overhead and protect you from legal missteps. Staffing partnerships eliminate the hidden costs of recruitment, such as job postings, screening tools, interview scheduling, and compliance monitoring. In addition, agencies can advise on salary benchmarking to ensure compensation is competitive yet within budget.
Staffing, Recruiting, and EOR: Which Hiring Model Fits Your Business?
Choosing the right hiring model is essential for achieving your workforce and growth goals in Singapore. Whether you’re looking for short-term flexibility, long-term stability, or compliant international expansion, each model offers distinct advantages. This section breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed decision.
| Feature | Staffing | Recruitment | Employer of Record (EOR) |
| Role Type | Temporary / Contract | Permanent | Any (including cross-border) |
| Speed | Fast | Medium | Fast |
| Payroll & Compliance | Managed by agency | Handled by employer | Fully handled by EOR |
| Worker Classification Risk | Low | High | Very Low |
| Visa Sponsorship (EP/S Pass) | Available with select firms | Limited | Supported by EOR |
| Ideal For | Short-term roles, quick ramp-up | Long-term roles | Cross-border, remote, risk-free |
Hiring Models Used by Singapore Staffing Providers
Singapore’s dynamic business landscape demands flexible hiring models that adapt to rapid changes in market demands, talent availability, and project cycles. Staffing agencies in Singapore typically offer a range of models tailored to various hiring objectives—from temporary help during peak seasons to long-term strategic workforce planning. Below is an in-depth look at the most common hiring models used by staffing providers in Singapore:
Temporary (Contingent) Staffing
Temporary or contingent staffing is ideal for businesses that need to respond quickly to fluctuating workloads or unexpected absences. This model involves hiring employees on short-term contracts to meet seasonal demand, fill gaps due to leave or attrition, or support one-off projects. These workers are employed by the staffing agency but deployed to the client organization.
- Ideal for: Holiday season, product launches, maternity coverage, or urgent operational gaps
- Employer burden: Minimal—staffing agency handles payroll, CPF, and compliance
- Duration: A few days to several months, depending on the project scope
Contract-to-Hire
The contract-to-hire model allows businesses to evaluate a candidate’s skills, cultural fit, and performance before making a permanent job offer. The employee is initially placed on a contract through the staffing agency, with the option for the client to convert them into a full-time hire at the end of the contract period.
- Ideal for: Reducing hiring risk, building confidence before offering permanent roles
- Benefits: Flexibility for both employer and candidate; performance-tested hiring
- Conversion: Typically after 3–6 months of satisfactory performance
Direct Hire
In a direct hire model, the staffing agency is responsible for sourcing, screening, and recommending candidates, but the selected candidate is hired directly by the client company. This model is often used for full-time or permanent roles that require specific qualifications or leadership experience.
- Ideal for: Filling specialized, long-term roles in tech, finance, and executive functions
- Agency role: End-to-end recruitment—from job advertising to candidate negotiation
- Employment: Candidate joins your organization directly from day one
Managed Teams
Under the managed teams model, staffing agencies take responsibility for assembling and managing entire project teams for clients. These teams may include developers, analysts, support staff, or operational specialists and are often managed remotely. The agency handles everything—hiring, payroll, HR, compliance, performance tracking, and reporting.
Benefits: End-to-end workforce management with guaranteed performance benchmarks
Ideal for: Companies seeking to outsource specific functions or scale quickly without infrastructure investment
Popular in: IT development, customer support, compliance, and back-office operations
Suggested Read: EOR Singapore: A Detailed Guide on Employer of Record 2025
The 10 Leading Staffing Agencies in Singapore in 2025
Singapore’s staffing landscape is diverse and competitive, with both global players and homegrown firms offering a wide spectrum of services. These agencies stand out in 2025 for their strong industry focus, regulatory compliance, workforce scalability, and client satisfaction. Below is a curated list of the top staffing agencies that cater to businesses of all sizes and hiring needs.
- Asanify
- Adecco Singapore
- Randstad Singapore
- ManpowerGroup Singapore
- Michael Page Singapore
- PersolKelly Singapore
- Hays Singapore
- Recruit Express
- EPS Consultants
- Sciente International
1. Asanify
Asanify is a tech-driven global Employer of Record and staffing solution that specializes in simplifying hiring, onboarding, and compliance in Singapore and over 100 countries. Its robust platform caters to startups, SMBs, and enterprises looking for a flexible hiring partner with strong compliance expertise.
Key Features:
- Integrated EOR and staffing services
- EP and S Pass visa sponsorship
- Payroll, CPF, and tax compliance
- Onboarding automation and contract generation
- Global talent hiring capability
2. Adecco Singapore
Adecco is one of the most recognized staffing brands worldwide and operates extensively in Singapore. With a strong presence in logistics, manufacturing, and administrative staffing, Adecco is ideal for companies seeking high-volume hiring with localized expertise.
Key Features:
- Contract, temp, and permanent staffing
- Workforce outsourcing solutions
- Local labor market intelligence
- Onsite staffing and management
3. Randstad Singapore
Randstad is a global leader in recruitment and staffing, with specialized divisions for technology, engineering, and life sciences in Singapore. Its combination of global resources and local insight helps clients scale teams quickly.
Key Features:
- Sector-specific recruitment consultants
- Temp and direct hire support
- HR solutions including RPO and MSP
- Talent data insights and benchmarking
4. ManpowerGroup Singapore
ManpowerGroup offers extensive staffing and workforce solutions across all major sectors. Its strength lies in its ability to provide scalable manpower for both white-collar and blue-collar roles, with added services like talent assessment and workforce analytics.
Key Features:
- Large candidate database for contract staffing
- End-to-end HR services and outsourcing
- Talent development and upskilling programs
- Payroll and compliance support
5. Michael Page Singapore
Michael Page is best known for its focus on specialist recruitment in mid-to-senior-level roles. Its Singapore office supports a wide range of industries from finance and legal to engineering and technology.
Key Features:
- Focus on permanent placements
- Industry-specific recruitment teams
- Market mapping and talent pipelining
- Salary benchmarking and hiring guides
6. PersolKelly Singapore
PersolKelly is a joint venture between Kelly Services and PERSOL Group, offering both temporary staffing and HR consulting. Its strong APAC presence makes it a go-to partner for companies with regional operations.
Key Features:
- Contract staffing and temp-to-hire
- Payroll administration
- Business process outsourcing
- Strong manufacturing and healthcare focus
7. Hays Singapore
Hays is a professional recruiting group that specializes in permanent and contract placements. Known for its research-backed insights and salary data, Hays is often preferred for strategic and technical roles.
Key Features:
- Permanent and contract hiring
- Hiring guides and market insights
- Tech and engineering talent pool
- Candidate vetting and onboarding
8. Recruit Express
One of Singapore’s most prolific staffing firms, Recruit Express is known for quick placements in sectors like retail, healthcare, and administration. The firm is especially useful for high-volume or urgent hiring.
Key Features:
- Fast turnaround staffing services
- Large talent pool across junior roles
- Healthcare and support staffing
- Temporary staffing management
9. EPS Consultants
EPS offers specialized staffing and outsourcing services in IT and telecommunications. With both local and offshore hiring capabilities, it’s suitable for tech teams requiring both contract staff and long-term placements.
Key Features:
- Tech and IT recruitment
- Project outsourcing and managed teams
- Offshoring solutions
- Visa and work pass handling
10. Sciente International
Sciente focuses on technology staffing with a unique blend of consulting and recruitment services. Its clients often include financial institutions and consulting firms looking for hybrid skillsets.
Key Features:
- Specialized in BFSI and technology roles
- Contract and project-based staffing
- Data science and cybersecurity talent
- Local compliance and onboarding support
Detailed Comparison of Top 10 Staffing Agencies in Singapore
Navigating the talent landscape in Singapore requires choosing the right staffing partner—one that aligns with your hiring needs, industry verticals, and compliance priorities. Whether you’re seeking temporary workers, permanent hires, or Employer of Record (EOR) solutions, the right agency can help you scale fast and remain compliant with Singapore’s labor laws.
Below is a comparison of the top 10 staffing agencies in Singapore, covering their focus areas, supported industries, hiring models, EOR and visa capabilities, and key strengths:
| Agency | Focus Areas | Industries | Hiring Models | EOR | Visa Support | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asanify | EOR, global payroll | IT, SaaS, Finance, Startups | EOR, contractor, remote FT | Yes – Full | Yes – EP/S pass | APAC EOR expert, fast onboarding, full compliance |
| Adecco | Temp, contract, project staffing | IT, Finance, Manufacturing | Temp, perm, outsourcing | Partial | Yes | Global scale, strong temp workforce |
| Randstad | RPO, payroll, executive search | Finance, Engineering, Life Sciences | Perm, contract, payroll | Yes | Yes | Fortune 100 clients, HR tech stack |
| ManpowerGroup | Staffing & workforce solutions | IT, HR, Admin, Finance | Temp, contract, MSP | Partial (MSP) | Yes | Analytics-driven staffing, scalable models |
| Michael Page | Executive & mid-level search | Banking, Tech, Consumer Goods | Perm, contract, exec | No | Yes | APAC focus, deep exec expertise |
| PersolKelly | Recruitment & HR outsourcing | IT, Sales, Healthcare, Engineering | Temp-to-perm, contract | Yes – Full | Yes | 45+ years APAC hiring, relocation support |
| Hays | Specialist recruitment | Construction, IT, HR, Healthcare | Perm, interim, contract | No | Yes | Market insights, salary benchmarking |
| Recruit Express | High-volume and temp staffing | Healthcare, Admin, Customer Service | Temp, contract, perm | No | Yes | Local sourcing strength, healthcare hiring |
| EPS Consultants | IT staffing and augmentation | IT, Public Sector, Telco | Contract, project | Partial (partner) | Yes | Tech-focused, strong in government sectors |
| Sciente Intl. | Tech & data recruitment | Cybersecurity, Banking IT, Data Science | Contract, consulting, perm | No | Yes | Niche tech roles, research-driven hiring |
Which Singapore Cities Are Leading in Staffing Demand?
- CBD (Raffles Place, Marina Bay): Financial services, legal, executive support.
- One-North: Innovation and tech hub for startups, R&D labs, and MNCs.
- Jurong & Tuas: Industrial, energy, and logistics operations.
- Changi Business Park: IT, aviation, logistics, and customer service roles.
- Paya Lebar, Tampines, Novena: Administrative, healthcare, and retail staffing.
How to Select the Right Staffing Partner for Your Hiring Needs
Choosing the right staffing agency in Singapore is more than just finding someone who can fill job vacancies quickly. It involves a strategic evaluation of the agency’s strengths, compliance capabilities, technology infrastructure, and ability to scale with your business. Below are the key factors you should assess before selecting a recruitment or staffing partner:
1. Industry Alignment
The best staffing partners have deep expertise in your specific sector. Whether you operate in finance, healthcare, logistics, IT, or manufacturing, partnering with an agency that understands the nuances of your industry leads to faster placements and higher-quality candidates. Industry-aligned agencies are more likely to speak your language, understand technical job descriptions, and access passive candidates with niche skills. Always ask for case studies or success stories in your sector before signing an agreement.
2. Turnaround Time and Responsiveness
Speed is critical, especially when hiring for project-based or urgent roles. Evaluate how quickly the agency can shortlist qualified candidates and how responsive they are during the hiring process. A reliable agency should have a ready pipeline of vetted talent and the capability to deploy resources within days, not weeks. Look for SLAs (Service Level Agreements) on role closures and ask about average placement timelines.
3. Compliance Assurance
Singapore labor laws are stringent, particularly around CPF contributions, Employment Pass (EP) applications, S Pass quotas, and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulations. Your staffing agency must be able to fully manage these compliance responsibilities, including salary benchmarking, fair employment practices, and proper employment contract structuring. Non-compliance could result in penalties or revocation of work passes, so ensure the agency is up to date with local regulations and licensed by MOM if required.
4. Candidate Quality and Vetting
Not all resumes are created equal. A strong staffing partner must have robust vetting processes, including multiple interview rounds, skill assessments, reference checks, and background verification. Inquire about their sourcing channels, how they pre-screen candidates, and whether they offer replacement guarantees for early attrition. High candidate quality reduces hiring risks and improves team productivity from day one.
5. Scalability and Geographic Reach
As your business grows—especially across regions like Southeast Asia or globally—you need a partner who can scale with you. Check whether the agency has cross-border hiring capabilities, a regional presence, and experience managing large-scale recruitment drives. This is especially important for companies that plan to expand across Malaysia, Indonesia, India, or other APAC markets.
6. Technology Integration and Automation
Modern staffing agencies offer more than just recruitment—they provide technology-enabled solutions for onboarding, payroll management, timesheet tracking, and workforce analytics. Ask whether the agency uses applicant tracking systems (ATS), integrates with your HR tech stack, or provides client dashboards for visibility into hiring metrics. Automation ensures faster processing and improved compliance documentation.
Suggested Read: Labour Laws in Singapore: A Complete 2025 Guide for Employers and Employees
Why Global Companies Choose Asanify for Flexible, Global-Ready Hiring
In today’s dynamic global economy, companies require hiring solutions that are fast, compliant, and scalable. Asanify makes this possible by offering a unified platform that combines staffing and Employer of Record (EOR) services, enabling businesses to seamlessly hire and manage employees in Singapore and across 100+ countries—without needing to set up a legal entity.
Whether you’re a startup entering a new market or a multinational scaling across Southeast Asia, Asanify removes the complexity of international HR operations. From compliant employment contracts to salary disbursement and visa processing, it’s an all-in-one solution built for modern global hiring.
Key Benefits of Using Asanify
- Compliant EOR service for Singapore
Hire full-time employees without setting up a local entity. Asanify acts as the legal employer, ensuring full compliance with Singaporean labor laws and MOM regulations. - Automated payroll and CPF contribution management
Handle monthly payroll, itemized payslips, CPF deductions, and tax filings seamlessly through a local-compliant system. - Visa sponsorship and EP/S Pass processing
Sponsor Employment Passes (EP) and S Passes for foreign employees. Asanify manages end-to-end application filing, documentation, and MOM coordination. - Unified platform for contracts, onboarding, and salary disbursement
Generate employment contracts, onboard staff digitally, and pay employees—all from a single dashboard with built-in compliance monitoring. - Regional expansion support for Southeast Asia and beyond
Asanify supports hiring across 100+ countries, making it ideal for companies planning to expand beyond Singapore into broader APAC or global markets.
FAQs
Most offer recruitment, payroll, onboarding, compliance management, and sometimes visa processing and EOR services.
Yes, staffing agencies as legal employers are required to contribute CPF for eligible employees under the Employment Act.
Temporary roles can be filled in 2–5 business days; permanent hires may take longer depending on specialization.
Many established firms and EOR providers like Asanify can sponsor and manage EP/S Pass applications.
Staffing firms place workers temporarily and handle payroll; EOR providers become the legal employer for remote or cross-border hires.
In many cases, yes—especially for short-term, bulk, or compliance-sensitive hiring needs.
Yes, most offer complete documentation, onboarding checklists, and employee orientation.
Yes, contract-to-hire is a common model in Singapore.
Technology, healthcare, logistics, administration, and customer service lead the demand.
Asanify integrates staffing with EOR capabilities, offers global reach, and ensures top-tier compliance, onboarding, and payroll services in Singapore.
Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant or Labour Law expert for specific guidance.
