What Is an Au Pair in Australia? (And How It Really Works)
What Is an Au Pair in Australia? (And How It Really Works)
If you’re exploring childcare options in Australia, you may have come across the idea of an au pair, but what does that actually mean in practice?
An au pair arrangement can be a beautiful, flexible solution for families, especially those needing support around school hours, shift work, or busy household routines. It’s also a meaningful cultural exchange for young people travelling in Australia.
Below, we explain how au pairs work in Australia, what’s typical, what’s not, and whether it could be the right fit for your family.
What Is an Au Pair?
An au pair is a young person (usually aged 18–30) who lives with a host family and helps with light childcare and household tasks related to the children.
In exchange, the family provides:
A private room
Meals / food included
Weekly pocket money
A welcoming home environment
Au pairs are not employees in the traditional sense, the arrangement is based on cultural exchange, trust, and mutual respect, rather than a standard employer–employee relationship.
What an Au Pair Is (and Isn’t)
An au pair is:
A supportive extra set of hands in your household
Someone who becomes part of your family for a period of time
A flexible childcare option for mornings, afternoons, and occasional evenings
Able to support full childcare days occasionally, particularly when children are young or not yet in daycare
An au pair is not:
A full-time nanny
A replacement for full-time daycare
A housekeeper or cleaner
Someone expected to work long, full-day hours across the entire week (for example, 10-hour days, 5 days a week)
While it can be completely appropriate for an au pair to care for young children for full days a couple of times per week, the overall structure should remain balanced. Au pair arrangements work best when hours are spread reasonably across the week, with clear routines, rest time, and predictable schedules.
Clear expectations on both sides are what make au pair placements successful.
Typical Au Pair Hours & Pocket Money in Australia
While every family is different, most au pair placements in Australia look like this:
Hours
Around 20–30 hours per week
Often split across mornings and afternoons
A couple full childcare days a week
Occasional babysitting by agreement
Pocket Money
Usually $250–$400 per week, depending on hours and responsibilities
Because accommodation and food are included, pocket money is not comparable to a wage, it’s designed to cover personal expenses, travel, and lifestyle.
Visas: How Au Pairs Come to Australia
Most au pairs in Australia are here on a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462).
This visa allows young people from eligible countries to:
Travel Australia
Work short-term roles (including au pair placements)
Experience Australian culture while supporting themselves
Families do not sponsor visas, au pairs organise this independently before arrival.
Living Arrangements: What’s Expected?
A respectful living setup is essential.
Typically, families provide:
A private bedroom (non-negotiable)
Access to a bathroom (private or shared)
Inclusion in family meals
Clear boundaries around work time vs personal time
A good au pair arrangement feels like:
“Having a trusted family member living with you, not an employee on call.”
Au Pair vs Nanny vs Daycare
Families often ask how an au pair compares to other childcare options.
Au pairs are best suited for families who:
Need flexibility around school or daycare hours
Want consistency and routine
Value cultural exchange and connection
Have space in their home
Nannies are ideal for full-day professional care.
Daycare suits families needing structured, external care during work hours.
There’s no one-size-fits-all, it’s about lifestyle, values, and support needs.
Is an Au Pair Right for Your Family?
An au pair may be a great fit if you:
Enjoy having someone live with you
Are open to communication and flexibility
Want your children cared for in their own home
See childcare as a relationship, not just a service
If you’re unsure, that’s completely normal, many families explore this option gradually.
How Sol Au Pairs Supports the Process
At Sol Au Pairs, we support both families and au pairs to ensure placements are:
Ethical
Well-matched
Supported before, during, and after arrival
We focus on communication, realistic expectations, and ongoing guidance, not just matching profiles.
👉 Learn more on our Family Info, Fees, or Au Pair Info pages, or reach out if you’d like to talk it through.