Employing a Babysitter

A babysitter is someone who will occasionally look after your children.

They temporarily care for your children on perhaps an afternoon here and there or in the evening.

There is a difference between a nanny and a babysitter. A babysitter is not always qualified and offers casual care. A nanny has chosen to be a nanny as their profession.

The guidelines for hiring a babysitter are often more flexible given it is a temporary role and for short periods.

There is no specific legal minimum age for hiring a babysitter. Therefore, in essence you could hire the 13 year old from across the street.

However, it is important to be mindful that there are legal requirements for parents in relation to their children. One requirement is that a parent is responsible for the care, welfare and development of their children according to the Family Law Act 1975.

Additionally, a child under the age of 16 must be at school during school hours. It is illegal for them to be babysitting during these hours during school terms without permission from their Principal of the school they normally attend.

Choosing a babysitter is just as important as choosing any kind of care for your child.

We recommend that the same principles apply in being just as rigorous in your vetting of babysitters as they will be left in sole charge of your children.

Even if it is only for an hour or so, you have to be utterly sure of their competence.

We recommend that you do reference checks and that they preferably hold a First Aid Certificate (or at least know the basics of first aid) as a minimum.

Ideally they are known to you in some way rather than answering an advert. If you are employing a babysitter through an agency you can request confirmation of a Working With Children Check (Australia), however, if you employ them privately they legally do not have to hold one.

We recommend that a babysitter should be older than 16 years.

Be aware that if a babysitter is under 18 years the issue of negligence and liability comes into question in regards to the law. If something was to happen it is likely that the parent/s will be held liable for the carer in addition to the children being cared for. Additionally the older the teenager the more responsible they generally are the more level headed in cases of emergencies.

• Tell the babysitter where you are going. Leave contact numbers of the venue as well as your mobile. You can use our copy of a form that can hold all the relevant information for quick reference- the babysitter reference form
• Make sure you have the contact details and an address for your babysitter in case one of the children is ill or upset after your return and you need to talk to them urgently.
• Don’t just bolt out of the door as soon as they arrive, make time to show them around. They need to know where you keep bottles, nappies, first aid kit etc. If there are older children they need to know the rules such as what they are and aren’t allowed to do with regard to television, snacks and bedtime.
• Remember the babysitter may not be your regular childminder or know your children well. If they have special words or favourite teddies and blankets that get them off to sleep your babysitter needs to be told.
• Leave a contact number of someone nearby who you trust, perhaps a neighbour or relative, in case the babysitter needs on the spot help urgently.
• If your child is unwell don’t leave her with a new babysitter. This is a recipe for disaster. It is not fair on either of them.
• If you don’t want a babysitter to smoke (certainly wouldn’t think you would allow them to smoke inside the house), make it clear before you leave or any other house rules such as phone use, visitors, etc.
• Always tell your children in the morning and keep reminding them during the day that a babysitter is coming. If they don’t like being left it is still much better to tell them. Sneaking off while they are playing and hoping for the best never works.
• Always over estimate rather than under estimate what time you will be home. It is better to return early than leave your babysitter wondering where you are.
• Don’t leave your children with a babysitter they don’t like – take the time to find one that they get on with.

Babysitters don’t have to be qualified.

If you are hiring someone through an agency, whom you have never met before, it is possible to ask for a qualified babysitter so that you have the peace of mind knowing that they have qualifications and/or experience.

The cost of employing a babysitter differs depending upon if you hire them privately or through an agency. It depends on the individual babysitter including their age, experience, if they are qualified, number and ages of children, location, etc.

If you are employing a babysitter privately and have no idea of the rate a good suggestion is to ask others, friends and family who use babysitters as to the rate they use. You will find there is a vast difference so it comes down to what you are willing to pay as well. You should negotiate a rate with your babysitter before the care takes place.

The general rate seems to be $20-30 per hour if they are a teenager or unqualified and it can be much higher if they are qualified and older, etc.

If you use an agency check with them if you are responsible for your babysitter’s travel costs but if it is late when you return and they haven’t driven then you should pay for them to get home in a taxi.

If you use a babysitter under 18 years or a babysitter who does not have their own transport you need to check they have a safe way of getting home before they leave your house and/or provide a lift home.

If you want the babysitter to stay all night negotiate/understand the overnight fee in advance.