Au Pair Information

Being an Au Pair means becoming part of a family in Australia while helping care for their children. You’ll live with a host family, support them with light childcare and household tasks, and in return, you’ll receive free accommodation, meals, and weekly pocket money.

It’s more than just a job, it’s a cultural exchange. You’ll experience real Aussie family life, improve your English, and have time to explore, travel, and meet new friends.

Most placements last between 3 to 6 months, with the option to stay up to 12 months in some cases. You don’t need a formal qualification, just a love for working with kids, a willingness to help, and an open mind for adventure.

🏡 What’s Included?

When placed with a host family, you’ll receive:

• Free accommodation in your own private room

• All meals provided by the family

• Weekly pocket money (typically $200–$350 AUD) depending agreed working hours.

• Completion Bonus: Upon successfully completing your 6-month placement, some host families offer a bonus.

• Access to transport, internet, and possibly a car or SIM card (depending on the family)

• Regular Breaks: At least 1.5 days off per week, with one full weekend off each month.

• Paid Holidays: For stays of six months or longer, you’re entitled to one week of paid holiday.​

✅ Typical Au Pair Responsibilities

Au pairs are primarily responsible for childcare and light household tasks related to the children.

Common duties include:

• Childcare:

  • Waking, dressing, and bathing the children

  • Preparing meals and snacks for the children

  • Playing with the children and organizing activities

  • Helping with homework

  • Driving or accompanying children to school, appointments, or outings​

• Child-related Household Tasks:

  • Tidying up the children's rooms and play areas

  • Doing the children's laundry

  • Cleaning up after the children's meals​

🚫 Tasks Outside of Au Pair Responsibilities

Au pairs are not expected to perform general household chores or tasks unrelated to the children. These include:​

• Cleaning the entire house or family areas

• Doing the host parents' laundry or ironing

• Cooking meals for the entire family

• Grocery shopping for the household

• Cleaning windows, ovens, or carpets

• Washing cars

• Gardening or yard work

• Caring for pets (unless previously agreed upon)​

It's important for both you and your host family to discuss and agree upon specific duties before the placement begins, we will help you with this.

To work as an au pair in Australia, you’ll need a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462).

These visas allow you to live with a host family, help with childcare, and explore Australia for up to 12 months. You can typically work with one family for up to 6 months, with the option to extend in some cases.

🧭 Two Visa Options:

• 417 Working Holiday Visa– For passport holders from countries like the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and more.

• 462 Work and Holiday Visa– For countries such as the USA, Argentina, China, Indonesia, and others. This visa may require proof of English skills and education.

📝 What You’ll Need to Apply:

• A valid passport

• Be aged 18–30 (or up to 35 for some countries)

• Meet health and character requirements

• Enough funds to support your stay and onward travel

👉 Check your eligibility and apply on the Australian Immigration website

What Will My Day Look Like?

As an au pair in Australia, your daily routine will vary depending on your host family's needs and the ages of the children. Every Family is unique! However, here's a general overview of what a typical day might entail:​

🌅 Morning Responsibilities

• Wake Up and Prepare Children: Assist the children in getting up, dressed, and ready for the day.

• Breakfast and Lunch Preparation: Prepare a healthy breakfast and pack lunches for school.

• School Drop-Off: Accompany or drive the children to school or daycare.​

🏠 Midday Tasks

• Light Housework: While the children are at school, perform light household duties such as tidying up children's rooms, doing laundry, or preparing snacks.

• Personal Time: Use this time for personal activities like attending language classes, exercising, or exploring the local area.​

🌇 Afternoon and Evening Duties

• School Pick-Up: Collect the children from school or daycare.

• Afternoon Activities: Engage the children in activities such as homework assistance, playtime, or taking them to extracurricular events.

• Dinner and Bedtime: Help prepare dinner, assist with mealtime, and follow the family's bedtime routine, including bathing and reading stories.​Care for Kids

👶 Caring for Toddlers and Young Children

If your host family has younger children who are not yet in daycare, you may spend 1–2 days a week caring for them during the day. Activities could include playtime, reading, naptime, and attending local classes or outings. These responsibilities will be balanced within your agreed working hours.

​Au Pairs in Australia typically care for children ranging from toddlers to pre-teens. While there is no strict age limit, it's common for Au Pairs to look after children between the ages of 2 and 12. Caring for infants under 2 years old is possible, but it generally requires the au pair to have specific experience with that age group, as many agencies recommend against leaving au pairs in sole charge of very young children without prior experience

While many essentials are covered by your host family, there are a few personal expenses you might want to plan for:

• ✈️ Flights to and from Australia

• Visa application fees

• Travel or health insurance

• Public transport or occasional rideshare costs

• Personal spending money (for outings, shopping, or weekend trips)

• Mobile phone plan or SIM card (sometimes this is covered by your host family)

• Language classes (optional, if you’d like to improve your English)

• Travelling before or after your placement (great way to explore more of Australia!)

Every experience is unique, but being prepared will help you enjoy your stay to the fullest!