Become an au pair in Australia

Overview

Becoming an au pair in Australia is an affordable international educational experience that will enhance your resume through practical experience. When you return home, imagine the kind of job you can get when you list this experience.

What is an au pair? An au pair takes care of the children in a carefully screened host family and tutors them in English during scheduled hours, which are agreed upon between the au pair and host family in advance. Au Pairs help the children with their homework and assist in keeping children’s rooms and play areas clean. They prepare snacks and meals for the children and drop them off or pick them up from school or activities.

Fees

• $850 flat fee for 6 to 12 months.
• Pay a $350 deposit. After you approve the family match and travel dates, you can make your final payment of $500.

Responsibilities

• Take care of the children during scheduled hours.
• Help the children with their homework and assist in keeping children’s rooms and play areas clean.
• Prepare snacks and meals for the children and drop them off or pick them up from school or activities.
• Keep your private bedroom tidy.
• Don't keep late hours that will disturb your host family without their permission.
• You must meet the Working Holiday Visa requirements set forth by the Australian Government.

Requirements

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30. (Female Au Pairs are placed quickly, while male Au Pairs can take a bit longer to be placed.)
• Have previous childcare/babysitting experience with references and a genuine love of children.
• Commit to a minimum of 6 months as an au pair in Australia.
• Provide a medical statement and a background check.
• Be interviewed to be accepted by the family.
• Have driving experience.
• Hold a passport to obtain the Working Holiday visa 462 (US citizens) or the Working Holiday Visa 417 (Canadian citizens). This visa allows you to live and work in Australia legally.

What You Will Earn

• The average monthly stipend is AUD $800 for between 28-40 hours of childcare per week. If you stay six months, you'll pocket around USD $5,000. Obviously, if you stay a year you'll earn double that. Remember ... your visa is good for one year. Be an au pair for six months, and then you can work anywhere else in Australia if you want and possibly earn a lot more.
• Before you arrive in Australia, you will receive a timetable with duties and working days/hours, so you know exactly the working time. The family must respect your time off. Should the family require you to work outside the usual working hours, both sides must agree that any extra hours worked must be paid.
• Usually, au pairs are provided two days off per week. (Plan to provide one weekend evening per month to watch the children.) Some families provide 1½ days off, but that information will be provided in advance.

Included

• Personalized placement with a carefully screened host family. In other words, a place to call home in Australia.
• A private room and full board. In addition to your monthly stipend, you're getting your room and board free.
• The possibility to use the family’s car.
• An end of program bonus from the host family for qualified au pairs:
  • 6-month au pairs receive $500 or 1-2 weeks additional pay at the end.
  • 12-month au pairs receive $500 and 1-2 weeks additional pay.
  • You may also choose 4-weeks of paid holiday as your bonus.
• Local support in Australia, 24/7.
• Pre-departure materials.
• Monthly au pair coffee group and occasional special events.

Not Included

• Airfare to and from Australia.
• Meals when you're away from the host family and traveling independently.
• Spending money for personal expenses.
• International insurance.
• Working holiday visa costs.

Sound like you? Apply Today.