Au Pair - the classic choice

An Au Pair is usually a young person from overseas who has finished high school and seeks some experience during a gap year before starting university or their professional life.

While Au Pairs are usual female, recently more and more young men are very successful as Au Pairs. You can expect some decent childcare experience in the form of babysitting, youth group leaders, sports coaches, being the oldest sibling etc. If those experience is missing, serious candidates would have endeavored to make an internship in a child care center. We can also offer an Au Pair Online course if you find a suitable Au Pair but like to have their child care experienced on a bit more solid ground. Please always ask potential Au Pairs for references ... or better: refer them to us for a thorough reference check as outlined on our Home page.

You need to be clear in your expectations before you consider an Au Pair for your child care needs. Au Pairs in general do not have the qualification to replace a comprehensive childcare program. However, you will find quite a few young people on the internet portals who are actually qualified child care workers, primary school teachers, nurses etc. in their home country who chose to become Au Pairs for a gap year.

Although it is not really recommended to leave a child under 2 years of age in the sole care of an Au Pair for a longer period of time, it is common practice in Australia. If you have children in this age group you might scan applications accordingly for those with childcare qualifications who would be very suitable for your needs. You can also see, what a Granny Au Pair can offer you.

You can also find Au Pairs who are qualified to work with special needs children. Every Au Pair with a formal professional qualification would be slightly older due to their previous experience. This does not automatically mean that they are more expensive as it always depends on the overall tasks and responsibilities.

Au Pairs will live with you as a family member on time, you need to provide them with their private room and full board 7 days per week. Au Pairs work any numbers of hours in Australia, most between 30-40 hours per week. The hours can be spread out over all days of the week according to the host families needs. In our members section are general guidelines and sample work schedules available. Au Pairs will also receive weekly pocket money for their work which is based on tasks and responsibility and will of course consider the value of room, board and all the other extras families usually provide.