Au Pair

Typically an Au pairs is generally aged between 18-25. Their purpose for being in the country is to learn the language and assimilate the culture.

An Au pair can be described as an assistant to a host family, however, they are in a foreign country primarily to learn the language and culture of that country and lives with a host family.

An Au pair earns board and lodging and a small amount of money each week in return for childcare and light housework.

Many people tend to lump nannies and Au pairs into the same category but they are totally different.

Au pairs are NOT nanny-substitutes, and usually have no formal childcare training.

An Au pair require their own bedroom and be allowed proper, uninterrupted time to study English.

The family will enter into an Au pair arrangement. The arrangement generally is that the Au pair will help with housework and childcare.

The role can include childcare as well as cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry, etc.

An Au pair is not normally given sole charge care of the children, but you may find that as experience increases you are given and/or be able to take more responsibility and may ultimately lead to periods of sole charge.

Generally, Au pairs should never have sole charge of children under the age of three due to their lack of experience. Of course this is a generalization as, for example, in remote areas of Australia families are more frequently employing Au pairs to care for their children due to a lack of accessibility and/or affordability for child care options and the Au pair is in sole charge of the children.

An Au pair’s duties often include:

• Assisting with light housework.
• Helping in the kitchen and laundry.
• Care for the children.
• Be available for agreed babysitting

As an Au Pair is generally not in the position as a career but rather as a cultural experience to learn about the new country and their language they typically have no formal training in caring for children and may have little or no experience.

There is no pre-requisite qualification to apply for an Au Pair position, however there are legal requirements from both the potential Au Pair and the host family.

Au pair’s are generally from European countries.

An Au pair needs to obtain the current visa as for the country they are to be the Au pair. The actual requirements for the visa varies from country to country but you are required to have a valid visa to enter another country to study and work as an Au pair.

The host family is obliged to provide the Au pair with time off to experience the country and study the language and provide them with a family environment.

The mix for an Au pair is that they work part time and study part time.

An Au pair works roughly 25 hours per week within the household and has two days off per week.

As Au pairs generally tend to stay for a short period, for example, six months this usually means the employer does not legally need to offer a paid holiday.

When a family ‘employ’ you as a Au pair they have a duty as a host family to make your stay is as happy as possible.

Host families are required to:

• Facilitate you being able to attend courses.
• Provide a comfortable, private room and meals.
• Agree on free time and days off and stick to it.
• Help you settle in and find your bearings – not just leaving you to get on with it. Try and treat you as part of the family.