Hiring & Employment in Brunei: 2025 Guide
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Brunei.
Capital / Economic hubs
Bandar Seri Begawan, Seria, Kuala Belait
Currency
Brunei Dollar (BND), pegged to SGD
Official Language
Malay (Bahasa Melayu); English widely used in business
Key Industries
Oil & gas, LNG, Islamic finance, halal food, tourism, government
Business Climate Overview
Brunei's economy is heavily driven by oil and gas, with growing emphasis on Islamic finance, halal industries, and tourism. The government sector remains the largest employer, offering attractive benefits that often make private-sector recruitment competitive. English proficiency is high, and the business environment is stable and well-regulated.
Talent Market & Recruitment
Workforce
~220K employed; high education level; many locals prefer public sector; ~30% expat workers
In-demand Roles
- • Oil & gas engineers
- • IT professionals
- • Doctors
- • Educators
- • Finance
- • Trades
Hiring Channels
Job Boards:
JobCentre Brunei (JCB), Borneo Bulletin
Other Channels:
Referrals, LinkedIn (limited), local agencies
Employment Regulations
Written Contracts
Required for jobs over 1 month; English contracts common
Probation Periods
Common; 3 months typical; max 6 months with extension
Public Holidays (2024)
~15–18 days; includes Eid, National Day, Sultan's Birthday, Christmas
Annual Leave
Starts at 7 days; increases with tenure (up to ~14 days)
Termination & Severance
Notice-based; no statutory severance unless in contract; unused leave must be paid out
Compensation, Tax & Social Security
Overtime Pay
1.5× on regular days, 2.0× or more on holidays; 72 hrs/month cap
Employer contributions (gross salary):
8.5% (5% TAP + 3.5% SCP); not required for expats
Employee contributions:
8.5% (5% TAP + 3.5% SCP); locals only
Bonuses
Not mandatory; Hari Raya and annual bonuses common in public and large private sectors
Personal Income Tax
None
VAT
None
Salary Benchmarks by Industry
80% of people earn within these ranges
| Industry / Role | Salary Range (BND) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 1,227 - 5,221 BND |
| Backend Developer | 2,191 - 6,674 BND |
| Digital Marketing | 1,739 - 3,599 BND |
| Mechanical Engineer | 1,552 - 3,785 BND |
| Recruiter | 1,682 - 3,545 BND |
| Financial Analyst | 1,982 - 5,280 BND |
| Designer | 1,355 - 3,604 BND |
| Nurse | 1,577 - 2,889 BND |
| Estate Agent | 1,227 - 5,221 BND |
| Sales Director | 3,078 - 9,741 BND |
Payroll & Immigration
Payroll Cycle
Monthly; usually end of month
Work Permits
Requires quota approval → Employment Pass; strict controls for foreign hires
Options for Hiring in Brunei
Employer of Record (EOR)
Enables fast hiring; EOR handles TAP/SCP, compliance, payroll
Local Payroll Providers
Used for payroll processing and contributions if local entity exists
Independent Contractors
Permitted; foreign contractors need permits; must be truly independent
Local Entity Setup
Set up Sendirian Berhad; needs Brunei-resident director(s); allows full local hiring
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