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Au Pair in Australia: Information on the Program

As an Au Pair in Australia, you’ll have the chance to improve your English, explore beautiful cities and beaches, and experience the country’s famous laid-back lifestyle. Au pairs between the ages of 18 and 30 (or 35, depending on nationality) live with a Host Family in Australia that has at least one child under the age of 18. In exchange for childcare and light housework (up to 38 hours per week), they receive a weekly allowance of 200–400 AUD, full board, and room and board.

There is no official government Au Pair program in Australia, so the requirements depend mainly on the visa you use to enter and stay in the country.

Program requirements

All the requirements to join the Au Pair Program in Australia:

For Au Pairs

Age: Most applicants must be 18–30 (or up to the age of 35 in some cases)
Valid passport eligible for a visa that allows work, usually subclass 417 Working Holiday or subclass 462 Work and Holiday
New Zealand citizens: don’t need to apply for a visa before coming to Australia; can apply for a Special Category visa (subclass 444) (SCV)
Not being accompanied by dependent children for WHM visas
Have a conversational level of English
Clean criminal background and good physical/mental health
Childcare experience (e.g., babysitting, tutoring, camp work)
Must provide evidence of at least AUD 5,000 in savings to fund own travel expenses

Do you meet all the requirements? Start looking for your Host Family here. If you don’t meet them, explore other countries or programs.

Free Registration as Candidate

For Host Families

Have at least one child under 18 living at home
Provide suitable accommodation, including a fully furnished and private bedroom as well as full board (3 meals a day, 7 days a week)
Ability to pay pocket money (200-400 AUD per week)
English must be the main language spoken
You mainly need help with childcare and child-related light household duties
Offer a genuine family and cultural exchange, not standard household employment

Do you meet all requirements? Then you can start your search to find your Au Pair. If you don’t qualify, explore our other programs to find your match.

Free Registration as Family

Working Conditions

Working Hours

Typically between 25-35 hours, should not exceed 38 hours
Daily hours should be safe and reasonable

Time Off and Holidays

Public Holidays should be given off and paid
Two weeks' holiday for a stay of six months, weekends free for occasional babysitting and to socialise and explore Australia
Specific terms should be outlined in writing in the contract

Language Course

A language course is not mandatory, but optional
The Au Pair’s schedule should allow her to attend a course
The Au Pair covers the costs of it, but the Host Family might decide to contribute

Au Pair Responsibilities

Childcare and babysitting
Light housework related to children
Helping children with daily routines, homework, and preparing simple meals if agreed
Transporting the children to and from school, sports activities, and playdates by car, on foot, or by public transport

Learn more here.

Au Pair Insurance

Au Pairs should have suitable health and travel insurance for the stay
Reciprocal healthcare may cover only urgent or necessary treatment, so private health insurance is still recommended
The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection recommends Overseas Visitors Health Cover. You can also choose other private international health insurance plans (e.g., from Dr. Walter or Care Concept)
Host Families should also check that their home, car, and liability insurance policies cover an Au Pair living and working in the household

Driving Licence

Driving should be discussed in advance if relevant
If the Au Pair needs to drive a car in Australia, the Host Family needs to report this fact to their insurance company
Check whether the Au Pair’s licence is valid in Australia
If necessary, get an international driver's license
Discuss who pays for fuel, insurance excess, fines, or damage
Include these terms in the contract

Host Families provide Au Pairs with:

Accommodation

The Host Family must provide the Au Pair with a private, lockable room for her exclusive use within the family home. The room should include basic furniture, heating or cooling where needed, storage space, natural daylight, and access to bathroom facilities.

Meals

Full board (3 meals a day, 7 days a week) needs to be provided by the family.

Pocket Money

Host Families usually pay a weekly pocket money, often around AUD 200-400, depending on the working hours and experience of the Au Pair.

Language Course

Taking a language course is not mandatory in Australia. However, if the Au Pair wishes to attend an English course, the Host Family can support them by helping to find a suitable course and arranging the work schedule around class times. Any agreement regarding the family's contribution to course costs should be made in writing.

Health Insurance

Health or travel insurance is usually the Au Pair’s responsibility, unless the Host Family agrees to contribute. The agreement should clearly state who is responsible for paying for insurance and what level of coverage is expected.

Transportation

Host Families are not generally required to pay for the Au Pair’s personal transport or monthly ticket, but they should cover transport needed for duties such as school runs, children’s activities, or work-related travel. If the Au Pair drives the family car, insurance coverage, fuel, parking, fines, and excess charges should be clarified in advance. Some families offer a transport card, bike, or monthly ticket as an optional benefit, especially outside city areas or if public transport is required for the Au Pair's leisure activities.

Legal Support

The Host Family should support the Au Pair with practical, legal, and administrative steps, such as checking visa and work rights, helping the Au Pair understand local rules, supporting the Au Pair with the relevant Working With Children Check, Blue Card, or equivalent, and helping with practical registration steps where needed.

Everything You Need to Know

Start your Au Pair journey with clear, practical guidance for every step

Visa & Next Steps

Entry options based on nationality
Required visa documents
Arrival obligations and local registration steps

Au Pair in Australia: Guided tour You want to be an Au Pair in Australia but are wondering where exactly? We have compiled the most popular places in Australia and added some special tips!
Explore Australia

Reasons to learn English There are obviously many reasons to learn English. The most convincing one: it enables you to work as an Au Pair in the UK, USA and Australia.
Start Learning

What our customers have to say about us and our service:

Member since 8 years

Kim's family, Australia

❱ American Au Pair

We have successfully found 2 amazing au pairs through aupair.com. Shelbi instantly became a member of our family. Our boys (14 and 2) love her. She is wonderful with our 2 year old, he has ❱❱

Eva, French

Au Pair in French Polynesia
Best experience of my life. With a family that became mine. I extended my trip thanks to this very close agreement. We shared unforgettable moments with the 3 children. The family didn't want to ❱❱

Member since 3 years

Phoebe's family, Australia

❱ Japanese Au Pair

I found few aupairs from this platform. Its provide details info from the aupair, so we can choose our right aupairs.

Member since 4 years

Holley's family, Australia

❱ British Au Pair

Our Au Pair has been fantastic, we will be so sad to see her leave. I couldn’t have asked for someone better. Elly is patient, kind, considerate and mature. I wish her all the best on her next ❱❱

Contract Information

Understanding your agreement

Written Agreement As there is no standardized Au Pair program in Australia, the Host Country follows the general rules of the Au Pair program. AuPair.com recommends downloading the standard contract template and customizing it according to your needs and the country’s legal requirements. The document only needs to be edited by the Host Family and the Au Pair.

Contract Duration Many Au Pair placements last between 3 and 12 months, depending on the visa, family needs, and agreement between both sides. Working Holiday Maker visas may include a 6-month work limitation with one employer, although exemptions or permissions may apply in some cases. Au Pairs and Host Families should check the current Home Affairs guidance before agreeing on the length of placement. Since 1 January 2024, childcare has been listed as a critical sector exemption, with Home Affairs specifically including 'nanny/au pair' within this category. There are no official rules about the termination of the Au Pair contract, but we strongly recommend giving both the Au Pair and the Host Family at least 2 weeks’ notice.

Contract Must Include

Start and end date
Number of working hours
If possible, the exact schedule
Number of free days per week and entitled holidays
Details of the accommodation
Detailed scope of responsibility of the Au Pair (duties)
Detailed scope of responsibility of the Host Family
Car use and driving rules, if relevant
Pocket money and payment schedule
Termination notice period

Au Pair Program Costs in Australia

Host Family Covers

Pocket money/Salary: Agreed pocket money (usually around AUD 200-400, depending on the working hours and experience of the Au Pair)
Accommodation: private, furnished room in the family home
Food: Full board / daily meals
Transport: Costs during working hours, such as school pick-up, fuel, or public transport, as well as costs related to the children’s activities during working hours.
Household-related costs: utilities, internet, and normal living expenses
Any agreed contribution to language courses, phone plan, insurance, or local transport

Au Pair Covers

Travel expenses: Travel costs to and from Australia, unless the family agrees otherwise
Visa Application fee: AUD 670 for Working Holiday visa subclass 417 and 462
Police certificate or other documents, if required for the visa application
Health and travel insurance, unless otherwise agreed
Working with Children's Check/Bluecard: A "Working With Children Check" is required for Au Pairs providing childcare, regardless of the visa they used to travel to Australia with. It can be applied for after arrival in Australia. The costs depend on the state where you work and live.
Personal expenses: phone plan, transport, leisure, excursions, and other events.

What else?

For most Au Pairs with a Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, the visa is usually granted for 12 months. Stays can be extended beyond 12 months if the Au Pair has another valid visa that allows them to work.
Au Pairs need to pay taxes when they work in Australia.
If the Au Pair is a working holiday maker employed by the Host Family, the family may need to register as an employer of working holiday makers and withhold tax. Registered employers typically withhold 15% of earnings up to the relevant threshold.
Entering Australia on a tourist visa to work as an Au Pair is illegal and could lead to serious consequences.