It's not just business. It's personal.
Domestic Support exists so no South African household has to guess whether they're doing the right thing by their staff — or by the law.
Estelle Carstens
It's Not Just Business, It's Personal
When I founded Domestic Support in 2017, my vision was simple: to help household employers understand and meet their legal responsibilities with confidence. After more than 25 years in Human Resources, working in senior HR leadership roles within multinational organisations, I recognised a gap in the household employment sector. While businesses had access to HR professionals, payroll specialists and labour law advisors, household employers were often left to navigate complex employment legislation on their own.
Domestic Support began with just three household employers, providing payroll administration and UIF compliance. Those first clients placed their trust in me, and some of them remain valued clients today. Their loyalty reminds me every day why personal service and long-term relationships matter.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of watching household employment in South Africa evolve. More employers now understand that employing a housekeeper, nanny, au pair, gardener, driver or carer carries important legal responsibilities. Compliance is no longer seen as an administrative burden — it is recognised as part of being a responsible employer.
I am passionate about helping people do things the right way. Every compliant payroll processed, every employment contract prepared and every employer who gains a better understanding of their responsibilities contributes to protecting one of the country's most important and vulnerable employment sectors.
What makes Domestic Support different is that we believe technology should support relationships — not replace them. When you work with us, you know who is looking after your business. We are available by telephone, email and Microsoft Teams because we believe trust is built through real conversations, practical advice and being there when our clients need us.
Today, I am proud to lead a growing team of specialists in Payroll & Compliance, Tax & Compliance, and Legal & Labour Relations. Together, we share one purpose: providing household employers with complete HR solutions for the home.
But this is only the beginning. My vision extends beyond supporting employers. I hope to create opportunities for household employees through practical workshops that equip them with the skills to build professional CVs, prepare for interviews, develop strong workplace ethics and secure meaningful employment. I believe that by supporting both employers and employees, we contribute to stronger households, better workplaces and a more professional household employment sector in South Africa.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our story. We look forward to becoming your trusted HR partner for the home.
To make legal household employment simple, fair and calm for every South African family.
A country where every domestic worker enjoys full legal protection — and every employer feels confident.
Warm, expert care. You'll always deal with a person who knows your household.
What guides us, every day.
Human first
Every household is different. We listen before we advise.
Plain English
No legal jargon. Just clear, honest guidance.
Quietly thorough
We do the work so you don't have to think about it.
Fair to both sides
Good employment protects employers and employees alike.
Building Complete HR Solutions for South African Homes Since 2017
- 2017
Where It All Began
Domestic Support was founded by Estelle Carstens with a simple mission: to help household employers across South Africa understand and meet their legal responsibilities when employing domestic staff. The business started with just three household employers, providing payroll administration and UIF compliance services.
- 2018
Growing Through Trust
Our client base continued to grow through referrals and word of mouth. Household employers appreciated having a trusted partner to guide them through the administrative and legal responsibilities of employing domestic workers.
- 2019
Becoming a Trusted Specialist
By 2019, Domestic Support had established itself as a trusted specialist in household payroll and UIF compliance. Our reputation continued to grow through long-term client relationships, referrals and a commitment to delivering professional, personal service.
- 2020
Responding to a Changing Landscape
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of compliant employment records, payroll administration and UIF registration. When COID became compulsory for domestic workers in November 2020, Domestic Support immediately expanded its services to include COID registrations.
- 2021
Expanding Compliance Services
Domestic Support introduced Annual Return of Earnings services, assisting household employers with their ongoing Compensation Fund compliance. Our focus continued to evolve beyond payroll administration, providing employers with a more complete compliance solution.
- 2022
Introducing Labour Law Expertise
Domestic Support expanded into labour law and employee relations, assisting household employers with disciplinary processes, incapacity matters, retrenchments and CCMA-related matters. Stefan van Blerk joined as our Legal & Labour Relations Advisor.
- 2023
Building Complete HR Solutions
We expanded beyond statutory compliance by introducing professionally drafted employment contracts, HR documentation and recruitment services—marking the beginning of our vision to provide Complete HR Solutions for the Home.
- 2024
Strengthening Our Vision
As demand for our services continued to grow, so did our commitment to becoming South Africa's trusted HR partner for household employers. We continued investing in systems, service excellence and specialist expertise.
- 2025
Preparing for the Future
Domestic Support continued to refine its service offering and lay the foundation for future growth, ensuring household employers could access professional HR and compliance support from one trusted provider.
- 2026
A Specialist Team for Household Employers
To support our growing client base, Domestic Support expanded into a specialist team. Lynda Dafel joined as Payroll & Compliance Officer, and Cindi Prinsloo joined as Tax & Compliance Officer, complementing Stefan van Blerk's legal expertise.
- Today
Trusted Across South Africa
Domestic Support provides specialist services including payroll administration, UIF compliance, COID compliance, tax compliance, employment contracts, labour law advisory services and recruitment support. Some of the clients who placed their trust in us during our very first year remain valued clients today.
Let's take household compliance off your plate.
A 20-minute consultation is usually all it takes to get pointed in the right direction.