The Expat’s Guide to THR for Balinese Staff in Bali Homes
For expats in Bali, THR for Balinese staff is not a tip you give “if the year went well”. It is a legally expected religious-holiday payment your nanny, maid or driver quietly relies on.
National rules on THR are outlined by the official Ministry of Manpower via the THR information portal. They apply across Indonesia, including Bali’s villas and family homes.
Those same principles are repeated in Cabinet circulars and media briefings each year. They remind employers that staff with at least one month of service are entitled to THR, even if they are on short contracts. You will see this message echoed on the Cabinet Secretariat site.
For 2026, THR for Balinese staff still follows the core formula: one month wage for 12 months of service, and proportional amounts for shorter service periods. The H-7 deadline before the chosen religious holiday also still stands firmly.
Domestic-staff explainers make it clear that these rules are not just for offices. ART, nannies and drivers are treated as workers too, and skipping THR is seen as unfair or disrespectful. Basic guidelines are available through the Manpower Ministry THR circulars.
This guide turns the legal language into villa language: how THR for Balinese staff works in 2026, how much to pay, when to pay it and how to talk about it with your team in a way that keeps trust, not tension.
Table of Contents
Why THR for Balinese Staff Matters in Bali Expat Homes
THR for Balinese staff is how you show you understand Indonesian norms. To your nanny or maid, it is not “extra”, it is part of the rhythm of work and religious life each year.
When you pay THR correctly, you help staff cover travel, offerings and family costs around Lebaran or Christmas. This reduces quiet stress and builds loyalty toward your household.
Ignoring THR for Balinese staff may not trigger a visit from inspectors in a small villa, but it damages your reputation. Staff talk, neighbours talk and you risk being seen as taking Bali without giving back.
Core Rules on THR for Balinese Staff and Who Must Receive It
THR for Balinese staff follows the same legal backbone as company employees. Anyone who has worked at least one continuous month for you is entitled to THR, whatever their contract label.
If your staff have worked twelve months or more, THR for Balinese staff is one full month wage. For newer staff, the rule is simple: months worked divided by twelve, multiplied by one month wage.
This applies to nannies, maids, drivers and gardeners, whether they are full-time, part-time or daily workers. In practice, most expats in Bali recognise the rule even when they do not run formal payroll.
How to Calculate THR for Balinese Staff in Bali in 2026
THR for Balinese staff uses “one month wage” as the base. Legally, this means basic salary plus fixed allowances, such as a fixed transport allowance, but not performance bonuses.
Many expats simplify THR for Balinese staff by using the normal take-home pay for that month. This keeps conversations with staff easy and avoids arguments over what is or is not an allowance.
For staff under one year, calculate THR using the proportional formula. For example, a nanny working six months at six million should receive half a month THR, or three million, paid in one clear transfer.
Timing, Religion and THR for Balinese Staff in Real Life
THR for Balinese staff must be paid in full at the latest seven days before their major religious holiday. For many Muslim staff, that means before Idulfitri. For Christian staff, it usually means before Christmas.
In mixed teams, some families pick one moment, often Idulfitri, and pay THR for Balinese staff then for everyone. Others align each person’s THR with their own holiday. Either approach is acceptable if agreed clearly.
If someone’s contract ends less than thirty days before their holiday, but they have worked at least a month, they still deserve proportional THR. Ending a contract does not erase the right to that payment.
Real Story — When THR for Balinese Staff Goes Very Wrong
THR for Balinese staff felt vague to Mark, who had a nanny and a driver in Canggu. For years, he handed each a small envelope of cash without checking the formula or their service time.
One year, his nanny learned that neighbours with similar jobs received a full one month THR. She had worked there three years but never got more than a token sum. Trust cracked, and she quietly began job hunting.
When she left just before high season, Mark struggled to find a replacement. Only later did he realise that following the formal THR for Balinese staff rules would have cost less than the chaos of starting over.
THR for Balinese Staff Versus Raises, Bonuses and Tax Impact
THR for Balinese staff is a separate obligation from monthly salary or annual raises. You can give a raise at the same time, but THR itself is still calculated on one month’s wage.
In formal payroll, THR for Balinese staff counts as taxable income and can change monthly withholding. Many expat households are informal, yet this is still useful to know if you pay via a company.
Some families like to give extra gifts or performance bonuses on top of THR. That is fine, but it should never replace the legally expected THR for Balinese staff amount based on time served.
Communicating THR for Balinese Staff with Respect and Clarity
THR for Balinese staff becomes easier when your policy is written down. Use simple Indonesian and English to explain who gets THR, how you calculate it and when you pay each year.
Good communication helps staff see that you follow rules fairly, not only emotion. It also reduces rumours if one person’s THR is smaller because they joined later in the year.
Before the 2026 season, review THR for Balinese staff face to face with your nanny, maid, driver and gardener. Invite questions and correct misunderstandings before money actually moves.
Checklist to Plan THR for Balinese Staff in Bali Each Year
THR for Balinese staff planning starts with a list. Write down each person’s start date, religion, role, monthly wage and whether they are still active in your home.
Next, calculate months of service by the chosen holiday date and apply the one month or proportional formula. This gives you a clear THR for Balinese staff budget for 2026.
Finally, mark the H-7 deadlines on your calendar, build THR into your December or Ramadan cashflow and prepare envelopes or transfers early. Rushed, last-minute THR payments send the wrong signal.
FAQ’s About THR for Balinese staff ❓
Q: Who must receive THR for Balinese staff in Bali homes?
A: Any staff member with at least one month of continuous service should receive THR for Balinese staff, whether they are permanent, fixed-term or daily workers.
Q: How do I calculate THR for Balinese staff with less than one year?
A: Use the proportional rule. Multiply one month’s wage by months of service, then divide by twelve. This gives a fair THR for Balinese staff for newer hires.
Q: When should I pay THR for Balinese staff in 2026?
A: Pay THR for Balinese staff in one go, no later than seven days before the chosen religious holiday. Many expats pay before Idulfitri, even for non-Muslim staff.
Q: What is included in “one month wage” for THR for Balinese staff?
A: One month wage for THR for Balinese staff usually means basic salary plus fixed allowances, not variable bonuses. Some expats simplify it to the usual monthly take-home.
Q: What if I end a contract just before the holiday?
A: If a staff member worked at least a month and the contract ends within thirty days of the holiday, they still deserve proportional THR for Balinese staff based on service length.
Q: Can gifts replace formal THR for Balinese staff?
A: No. Gifts or hampers are welcome extras, but they do not replace the legal THR for Balinese staff amount that staff expect as part of normal work culture.