Statute Details
- Title: Fees (Ministry of Health) Order
- Act Code: FeA1920-OR45
- Legislative Type: Subsidiary legislation (sl)
- Current Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the provided extract)
- Authorising Act: Fees Act (Cap. 106, s 2)
- Citation: “Fees (Ministry of Health) Order” (Order)
- Key Provision (from extract): Section 2 (Fees for approvals)
- Commencement Date: Not stated in the provided extract
- Legislative History (highlights from extract):
- First issued: [1st November 1988] (G.N. No. S 327/1988)
- Revised edition: 31 May 2001 (2001 RevEd)
- Amended by S 45/1996 (effective 02 May 2000 in the timeline shown)
- Amended by S 297/1996 (effective 05 Jul 1996 in the timeline shown)
- Amended by S 697/2012 (effective 31/12/2012)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Fees (Ministry of Health) Order is a piece of Singapore subsidiary legislation made under the Fees Act. In practical terms, it sets out the specific fees that must be paid to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for certain approvals. These fees are not arbitrary; they are prescribed by law and are intended to regulate the cost of administrative processes carried out by the Government.
From the extract provided, the Order focuses on fees for approvals connected to the Termination of Pregnancy Act (Cap. 324). In particular, it prescribes a fee for an approval that is valid for two years for institutions and healthcare premises that are approved for the purposes of that Act. The legislative design is typical of fee orders: it identifies the relevant approval category and states the amount payable.
For lawyers, compliance officers, and regulated entities, the key point is that this Order creates a legal obligation to pay the MOH fee when seeking or maintaining the specified approvals. It also provides certainty about the fee amount and the validity period of the approval to which the fee relates.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the short title of the instrument: the “Fees (Ministry of Health) Order”. While this section is not operational in the way fee-setting provisions are, it is important for legal referencing, pleadings, and compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Fees for approvals) is the operative provision in the extract. It states that “there shall be leviable at the Ministry of Health the following fees” and then lists the fee amounts for specified approvals. The structure is straightforward: the Order identifies the approval type and the fee amount.
Based on the extract, the most clearly stated fee is:
Section 2(a): “for an approval valid for 2 years of any institution, hospital, maternity home, clinic or other place as an approved institution for the purpose of the Termination of Pregnancy Act (Cap. 324) — $600.”
This provision is legally significant in several ways. First, it ties the fee directly to approvals under the Termination of Pregnancy Act. Second, it specifies the scope of eligible premises—not only hospitals and clinics, but also maternity homes and “other place” and “any institution.” This breadth matters for regulated entities that may not fit neatly into a single category but still operate as a facility seeking approval.
Third, it specifies the validity period of the approval for which the fee is payable: 2 years. That means the fee is linked to the approval cycle. In practice, this affects budgeting, renewal planning, and the timing of applications. If an approval is renewed or re-granted for another two-year period, the fee structure in the Order will be relevant to determine what is payable for that approval validity.
Finally, the extract indicates that the fee amount of $600 was updated by S 697/2012 with effect from 31/12/2012. For practitioners, this is important when dealing with historical compliance, disputes about the correct fee amount at a particular time, or matters involving applications submitted around the amendment effective date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured in a minimal, fee-order format. It contains at least:
- Section 1 (Citation): the short title.
- Section 2 (Fees for approvals): the fee schedule, listing the approvals for which MOH may levy fees and the amounts payable.
In the extract, only Section 2 is substantively detailed. The absence of further listed categories in the provided text does not necessarily mean the Order contains only one fee category; however, based strictly on the extract, Section 2(a) is the specific fee item clearly identified. A practitioner should consult the full current version (as at 27 Mar 2026) to confirm whether additional fee items exist beyond the excerpt.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to persons and entities that interact with MOH approval processes that fall within the scope of the Termination of Pregnancy Act. Specifically, it applies to “any institution, hospital, maternity home, clinic or other place” that is or seeks to be an “approved institution” for the purposes of that Act.
In practical terms, the fee is payable to MOH by the applicant or approved entity when the approval is granted for a two-year validity period. The regulated population therefore includes healthcare providers and facilities that provide services within the legal framework of the Termination of Pregnancy regime and require MOH approval to do so lawfully.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is short, it plays an important role in the compliance ecosystem. Fee orders like this one translate regulatory requirements into administrative processes with defined costs. For regulated institutions, knowing the correct fee amount and the approval validity period is essential for maintaining lawful operations and avoiding delays caused by underpayment or non-payment.
From an enforcement and governance perspective, the legal basis is also significant. The Order is made under the Fees Act (Cap. 106, s 2), which provides the statutory authority for the Government to levy fees for services or approvals. This means the fee is not merely a policy guideline; it is a legally enforceable charge prescribed by subsidiary legislation.
For practitioners advising clients, the key practical impacts include:
- Budgeting and renewal planning: the fee is tied to a two-year approval validity period.
- Application readiness: applicants must ensure that the correct fee is paid for the relevant approval category.
- Version control for disputes: because the fee amount has been amended (notably by S 697/2012 effective 31/12/2012), practitioners must consider the relevant effective date when assessing historical applications or compliance issues.
- Scope assessment: the broad wording (“institution, hospital, maternity home, clinic or other place”) requires careful classification of the facility seeking approval.
In short, the Order is a compliance-critical instrument even though it is concise: it determines the monetary requirement that accompanies MOH approvals under the Termination of Pregnancy framework.
Related Legislation
- Fees Act (Cap. 106, s 2) — authorising legislation for fee orders
- Termination of Pregnancy Act (Cap. 324) — the substantive regime under which “approved institutions” are recognised
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Fees (Ministry of Health) Order for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.