An Au pair is part of a cultural exchange program, whereas nannies are employed and focused solely on childcare. Each has its benefits, but an Au pair provides a cultural aspect that many families may not ever get to experience.
Introduction
Housework is piling up, childcare is expensive and increasingly hard to find, and yet another nanny quit with no notice. At your wit’s end, you hear the term “Au pair” and wonder what that is and if you dare to try it. Au pairs differ from nannies in many ways: may be younger, untrained, and devoted to travel and learning. But Au pairs also offer flexibility, childcare, help with light housework, and a chance for you and your children to learn about another culture. Having an Au pair is welcoming a stranger into your home and sharing each other’s lives for the next 12 months.
It could be a very rewarding experience for both parties. But before diving in and searching for that perfect Au pair fit, let’s first learn what an Au pair is, how they differ from a nanny, what is expected of an Au pair, the requirements to become one, and the pros and cons to having an Au pair stay with you.
What is an Au pair?
An Au pair is an individual, oftentimes a woman, that moves to another country to live with and help their host family. The Au pair can help with the household chores, babysit the host family’s children (this is not to be taken advantage of, however), and prepare meals at their convenience. An Au pair, however, is not there to nanny your children; this will be discussed more in the next question.
How is an Au pair different from a Nanny?
An Au pair is often someone younger – think late teens, early 20s – whereas a nanny can range anywhere from someone in their 20s to much later in life. Au pairs may have no experience with children; therefore, they may not have gone through safety courses like first aid and CPR. A nanny, however, often has training and background experience working with kids.
An Au pair lives in the home whereas a nanny generally does not. In fact, nannies often have children of their own to go home to, but an Au pair is usually single and has not yet started a family of their own. Nannies and Au pairs can work as little as 4 hours each week, but nannies can work up to 60 hours whereas Au pairs have a cap. This is to provide them time to study (if they’re in college at the time) or travel so that they might learn about their host family’s culture.
There are many differences between an Au pair and a nanny. The Australian Nanny Association provides a comprehensive list of the differences between the two.
How much is an Au pair in Australia?
An Au pair is paid an hourly wage of 7 AUD. If your Au pair works 35 hours a week this equates to 245 AUD per week. This doesn’t seem like much, but your Au pair will not have to pay for room or board.
Does an Au pair have to live with you?
Yes, in accordance with the rules and guidelines of Australian Au pair programs, host families must provide the au pair with a private room of their own within the house or on the property.
Does an Au pair usually get food provided to them?
Yes, an Au pair is always provided food. They can either eat with the family, which would enhance the cultural bonding experience, or if they wish to eat their meals alone (very unlikely) then they would use the groceries provided by the family.
If the Au pair and host family go out to eat, the host family pays for the Au pair’s meal in most cases. This isn’t to say that the Au pair can’t sometimes treat the family, though remember they’re on a tight budget that must also cover clothing, travel, and anything they may need/want that doesn’t include room and board.
Do Au pairs cook and clean?
Au pairs do cook and clean, but you must remember that they are not your employee. They will help around the house with light chores and cleanup, but they are not to be expected to cook every meal, do the dishes morning, noon, and night, and mop the floors every Saturday. This arrangement between an Au pair and their host family is a mutual relationship. If one is giving more than the other, respect will be lost and discontent may ensue.
What should Au pairs not do?
An Au pair should not clean the entire household, especially the parent’s bedroom and bathroom. They should not have to cook for the whole family, though they may choose to do so occasionally, especially to share their culture. An Au pair shouldn’t do everyone’s laundry – only their own and the children’s when necessary. They also should not be expected to care for anyone else’s children except their host family’s children.
What visa do you need to be an au pair in Australia?
In order for an Au pair to work in Australia they must apply for a Working Holiday Visa. The confusing part is that the Visa is valid for 12 months; however, they may only work for their host family for 6 months. They are, however, allowed to stay with their host family the 6 months after the initial 6 month au pair contract is over. Clear as mud, right?
How long do Au pairs stay?
The length of stay for an Au pair is determined by the Au pair themselves. Since they can only work for their host family for 6 months (according to the Australian au pair program), they may choose to leave before their 12 month Visa expires.
Since being an Au pair is more of a cultural exchange than a career one, however, the individual may use that time to study, explore, and travel throughout their host country.
Can au pairs go home?
Yes, Au pairs can go home, especially if the host family and Au pair are not meshing. If things aren’t working out, the Au pair is free to leave. If the Au pair and host family do work out, the suggested time off for Au pairs is two weeks every six months. What they choose to do with that time – go home to visit family or travel around their host’s country – is up to them.
What are the requirements to be an Au pair in Australia?
There are several au pair requirements: be between the age of 18 and 30 and a citizen of a participating country, apply outside of Australia, not have entered Australia on a Working Holiday Visa before, don’t apply longer than 12 months in advance, must not be accompanied by children, cannot work for any one employer longer than 6 months, no criminal record, must want to travel Australia and experience its culture rather than be focused on work, be able to financially support yourself especially as you begin your Au pair journey, and meet the health criteria.
These requirements plus more information can be found here: https://www.aupair.com/en/p-australia-visa.php.
What are the advantages of having an Au pair?
Here are several advantages to having an Au pair:
- Free time for parents
- Affordable childcare; a concern for many Australian families (You can read more about Child Care Subsidy HERE)
- Help with light housework
- Convenient and flexible hours
- Better able to adapt to your child’s needs and routines
- Teaching someone about your culture while learning of theirs – this is especially beneficial to your child(ren)
Are there any drawbacks to having an Au pair?
There can be several drawbacks to having an Au pair:
- Probably will not meet your Au pair before they arrive in your country, at your house – no initial face-to-face introduction
- Cost of paying for room and board for your Au pair, plus pocket money
- Usually do not have professional training or certifications such as CPR or First Aid
- Interactions could be awkward at first as you’re getting to know your Au pair and vice versa.
- Communication may be an issue as your Au pair may not speak fluent English.
- Temporary engagement, as the Au Pair cannot work longer than the 6 months.
Are there any Au pair agencies that organise placements?
Yes, there are several Au pair agencies that can help you find a good fit for your family. One Au pair agency is Au Pair Australia, https://www.aupair-australia.net/. There is also AIFS, https://www.aifs.com.au/aupair-australia/, as well as Au Pair.com that gives a list of agencies and a short synopsis about them, https://www.aupair.com/en/aupair-agencies/australia.php.
It is so important to use a reputable Au pair agency, as there are some websites and social media platforms requesting fees and giving false information regarding Au pair programs. The Cultural Au Pair Association (CAPAA) have further information on their website HERE.
Is it worth it to get an Au pair?
The answer to whether it is worth it to get an Au pair will depend on your family circumstances and your preferences. That being said, this decision must not be taken lightly, and the entire family should be included in the process.
It can be a wonderful experience for all involved, and is an affordable way to manage childcare, but there are drawbacks, as noted above, so it’s important that all of these things are considered before you make a decision about au pairing.
Summary
There are many pros to having an Au pair, the top being that your family is able to bring an individual into your home and embrace another culture while also sharing your own traditions. Yet, there can be drawbacks as well. Australian host families are, after all, bringing a stranger into their home and around their children.
There are requirements in place that alleviate some of these worries, but there is still the initial welcome where everyone is getting to know each other, and you truly find out whether your Au pair is a good fit for your family or not.
The potential Au pair experience could be an amazing one…or it could be that you realize something else is needed for your family. Though the latter may be frustrating, you will still have tried something unique. But if you find that having an Au pair is a wonderful experience, you will have changed your family’s lifestyle for the better. It’s now up to you to find out what the outcome will be.