What is an Au pair?

An au pair is a young person from overseas who lives with a host family in Australia for 6 to 12 months. In exchange for a private room, meals and weekly pocket money, they help look after the children and do light, child-related housework. It is a cultural exchange, not a conventional job: the au pair becomes part of your household, and your family gets flexible help at home.

If you are wondering whether an au pair is a nanny, a babysitter or something else, this guide explains what an au pair is, what they do, what a host family provides and how hosting works.

What Does “Au Pair” Mean?

“Au pair” is a French expression that means “on equal terms”. It reflects the idea that the au pair is treated as a member of the family rather than as an employee, sharing meals, family routines and everyday life with the household.

Au pairs come to Australia to improve their English, experience Australian life and gain hands-on experience with children. Families gain a friendly, reliable helper at home and give their children the chance to learn about another country and culture without leaving the house.

Au Pair, Nanny or Babysitter: What’s the Difference?

Families often confuse the three, but they are quite different.

An au pair lives with your family and provides flexible, part-time help, usually around the school day. They join family life and receive pocket money rather than a wage.

A nanny is a professional carer, often with formal qualifications, who usually lives elsewhere and works set hours for a salary.

A babysitter looks after children for short periods, usually in the evening or on weekends.

Each suits a different family. If you want to compare them in more detail, read about the difference between an au pair and a nanny.

What Does an Au Pair Do?

An au pair’s role centres on your children and their daily routine. Depending on their ages, families commonly ask for help with:

The morning routine and the school run in both directions

Playing with the children and keeping them busy after school

Helping with homework

Preparing simple meals and snacks for the children

Bath and bedtime routines

Washing the children’s clothes and keeping their rooms and play areas tidy

Many families choose an au pair as a kind of older sibling for their children, someone who builds a personal relationship with them. An au pair also offers greater flexibility than childcare centres, because the care happens at home and the hours are arranged around your routine.

What an au pair is not

An au pair is not a full-time cleaner or housekeeper, and is not expected to clean the whole house, look after a pool, do the gardening or wash the cars. An au pair is also not a qualified nanny. Au pairs can work in sole charge of children over two years old, but a family should not leave an au pair alone in sole care of a child under two.

Every family is different, so the exact duties depend on the children’s ages and your routine. You can read more about the tasks of an au pair and the daily responsibilities of an au pair.

Who Are Au Pairs?

Au pairs are usually between 18 and 30 years old, although most are in their early twenties. They speak conversational English and want to improve it while living in Australia. All of our au pairs have childcare experience, gained through babysitting, internships at childcare centres, tutoring, or helping at children’s camps and sports centres, and it is backed up by references.

Most au pairs arrive on a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa. Visa conditions, including how long an au pair can work for the same family, are set by the Australian Government and can change, so your au pair should check the current rules with the Department of Home Affairs before travelling. Under working holiday rules, an au pair normally works up to six months with the same family unless an extension is approved.

Most au pairs choose major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Canberra, although some prefer smaller towns. Many hold a driver’s licence and can help with the school run, and all must take out international health insurance.

Our au pairs are screened, reference-checked and personally interviewed, and most hold a current first aid certificate. You can read more about our screening process.

What Does a Host Family Provide?

Hosting is a cultural exchange, so both sides have responsibilities. A host family consists of parents, married or single, with children under 18. As a host family you provide:

A private bedroom (the bathroom can be shared) and all meals

Weekly pocket money, agreed in writing

A daily or weekly plan with the au pair’s tasks and responsibilities

Contractually agreed weekly working hours

At least one full day off per week, usually one or two

A set amount of holiday, including one week of paid holiday after six months with your family

Time and opportunity to attend a language course

Inclusion in family life, such as meals, trips and outings

Appreciation and respect

See the full host family requirements before you register.

The Au Pair Program at a Glance

How Much Does an Au Pair Cost?

Hosting an au pair is priced differently from most childcare. It is made up of three parts:

Weekly pocket money: usually $250 to $300 per week, depending on the hours worked.

Room and board: a private bedroom and all meals.

A one-off placement fee: payable only when you confirm a placement, currently from $1,250 depending on the category of au pair. We charge no registration fee, no deposit and no booking fee.

Centre-based childcare is generally charged per child, per day. An au pair’s pocket money stays the same whether you have one child or three, which is why many families with two or more children find the comparison favourable. See the full au pair cost for current fees.

How Does Hosting an Au Pair Work?

Register as a family. Tell us about your children, your routine and what you need, including working hours and whether you need an au pair who drives.

We find suitable candidates. We select and screen au pairs who match your requirements and do not present candidates who would not suit your family.

You review profiles and interview. You speak with candidates before you decide, so you can choose the person who feels right for your household.

You confirm the placement. You pay the one-off placement fee only at this stage, and your au pair prepares to travel.

Your au pair arrives. We follow up during the stay and are available if you have questions or any problems come up.

Read more about our placement process.

Is an Au Pair Right for Your Family?

An au pair often suits families who:

• Need flexible help around school, work and after-school activities
• Have a spare bedroom and are comfortable sharing family life with a young adult from another country
• Want their children to experience another language and culture
• Have two or more children, because the cost does not rise with each extra child

An au pair may not be the right choice if you need a qualified nurse or carer for a child with specific care needs, if you do not have a spare bedroom, if you need more than 40 hours of care a week, or if you want a housekeeper. If you are not sure, talk to us before you register. We would rather tell you honestly whether an au pair fits your situation.

Au Pair FAQs

Is an au pair the same as a babysitter?

No. A babysitter looks after children for short periods. An au pair lives with your family for several months, becomes part of the household and provides regular, flexible help.

How long does an au pair stay?

Usually between 6 and 12 months, depending on the au pair’s visa conditions and your agreement.

How many hours does an au pair work?

Up to 40 hours per week, not including babysitting. The schedule is agreed with you before your au pair arrives.

Do I need a spare room?

Yes. Your au pair needs a private bedroom. The bathroom can be shared.

Can an au pair look after babies?

Au pairs are not qualified childcare workers. Some have experience with babies, but an au pair should be an extra hand for the family rather than the only carer of an infant. Tell us the ages of your children when you register and we will look for candidates with suitable experience.

Can an au pair drive my children?

Many au pairs hold a driver’s licence. Tell us when you register if you need someone who drives. There is no extra payment for it.

Ready to Host an Au Pair?

Register as a family with our au pair agency. There are no registration fees or deposits, and we will start looking for candidates who suit your children and your routine. You can also read more about hosting an au pair in Australia.

Are you an au pair looking for a host family? See how to become an au pair in Australia.