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Au Pair in China: information on the program
China is an increasingly popular destination for Au Pairs seeking cultural exchange in a dynamic and rapidly evolving country. With its unique blend of ancient culture and modern innovation, China offers an opportunity to experience everyday life in a Chinese family, explore vibrant cities like Beijing and Shanghai, learn Mandarin, and get to know one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating cultures.
Keep reading to find out what the Au Pair experience in China involves for both Au Pairs and Host Families.
Requirements
Everything you need to know to join our Au Pair program in China
For Au Pairs
- Be between 18 and 29 years old
- Have a valid passport
- Have never been married and have no children
- Have completed secondary school education
- Have a good level of English and be ready to create an English-speaking environment for the Host kids
- Have no criminal record
- Be motivated to learn Mandarin and explore Chinese culture
- Be willing to stay in China for 3 to 12 months
If you’re eligible, explore the Au Pair program in China and start looking for a Host Family. If not, discover other destinations where you can enjoy the Au Pair experience.
For Host Families
- You need to have at least one child under the age of 18 living with you.
- Your family speaks Mandarin in your everyday life.
- You can offer a private room to your Au Pair, at least three meals a day and monthly pocket money.
- You can afford to cover the Au Pair’s flight expenses partially or completely depending on the length of the stay.
- Your nationality differs from the one of your candidate.
- You need no more than 30 hours per week of childcare and light household duties.
- Your Au Pair has time to attend a language course.
Do you meet the criteria? Great — you can start searching for an Au Pair for your family. If not, explore other available programs.
Working Conditions
Fair and balanced arrangements for everyone
Working Hours
- Maximum 30 hours per week
- Allowed time for language courses and cultural activities
- Babysitting included in hours
Time Off and Holidays
- At least 1–1,5 days off per week
- Flexible rest day schedule
- 10–15 days of paid holiday per year
- Public holidays are discussed individually
Language Course
- Mandarin language course is a core condition of participation
- Fees are usually covered by the Host Family or agency
- Some programs include additional cultural classes
- Daily schedule must allow for course attendance
- Student visa (X2) requires enrollment in a language school
Au Pair Responsibilities
- Childcare and babysitting
- English-language interaction with children
- Light housework related to children only
- No responsibility for full household cleaning or cooking
See more on Au Pair duties and schedule.
Au Pair Insurance
- Health insurance is mandatory
- Insurance must cover the entire stay
- Insurance is arranged by the agency, Host Family, or independently
- Should include basic medical care and accident coverage
- Review the conditions of coverage prior to departure
Driving Licence
- Driving is not expected, particularly in cities
- Include responsibilities and insurance in your Au Pair contract if driving is expected
- Foreign licences are not automatically valid in China
- A temporary Chinese driving permit may be required
Host Families provide Au Pairs with:
Accommodation
Private, furnished room (bed, wardrobe, desk, chair), with natural light, heating, and a lock; clean bedding and internet access provided
Meals
Full board (three meals per day, usually shared with the family)
Pocket Money
Approximately RMB 1500–2000 per month (depending on program and location)
Language Course
Mandarin language course is included, financed, and arranged by the Host Family or agency, with time off to attend classes.
Health Insurance
Arranged by the agency or Host Family (coverage may be limited; additional insurance recommended). It is important to check whether the insurance is accepted by nearby hospitals and what services are included.Transportation
Public transport allowance or transportation support, depending on the family
Legal Support
Support with visa invitation and insurance arrangements; possibly with the help of a full-service agency assistance throughout the placement (more details here).
Everything You Need to Know
Explore our comprehensive guides to make your Au Pair journey smooth and successful
- Visa types depending on the length of stay and program conditions
- Documents required for visa application and registration procedures
- Arrival obligations and registration in China
Au Pair in China: Guided tour
Becoming an Au Pair in China definitely is an adventure. How to choose the perfect place for your Au Pair stay in China? Get inspired by our recommendations!Explore China
Reasons to learn Chinese
Chinese is popularly known as one of the hardest languages to learn, but are you sure it is? Find out how you can learn Chinese by becoming an Au Pair!Start Learning
What our customers have to say about us and our service:
Coco's family,China
This is an essential site for finding au pairs; this is the third time I have been matched with an au pair. I hope more au pairs will be willing to come to China, and the site will be stocked with ❱❱
Sara, Colombian
Au Pair in ChinaMy experience was truly amazing. I was able to feel like part of the family, they would always try their best to make me feel comfortable. I learned so much about the Chinese culture. And I will be ❱❱
Zhang's family,China
She is from Ethiopia and is currently studying in Ningbo, China. She has a wonderful personality, is emotionally stable, and gets along very well with our family. She helps with the children’s ❱❱
Tian's family,China
I recently began my journey on the au pair website, and I have to say it has been a positive and enriching experience. The platform is user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through profiles of ❱❱Contract Information
Understanding your agreement
Written Agreement
There is no official Au Pair contract in China; however, a written agreement is essential. A free template can be found here.
All terms should be agreed in advance, including schedule, responsibilities, pocket money, and conditions of stay.
Contract Duration
Program duration is typically 3 to 12 months, with extensions possible by mutual agreement.
Termination conditions should be clearly defined; a two-week notice period is commonly applied in practice.
Contract Must Include
- Agreed work schedule, including hours and days
- Clear list of duties and responsibilities
- Pocket money amount and how it is paid
- Travel cost reimbursement details
- Holiday entitlement and weekly time off
- Health insurance coverage and conditions
- Accommodation details and privacy conditions
- Language course arrangements and time to attend
- Termination terms and notice period
- Emergency contacts and basic procedures
Au Pair Program Costs in China
For the Host Family and Au Pair
Host Family Covers
- Pocket money: around RMB 1,500–2,000 per month
- Accommodation: private room (no rent paid by the Au Pair)
- Travel costs: flights to and from China are partially or fully funded by the agency or Host Family, depending on the length of the program
- Food: full board at home (3 meals per day)
- Language course: usually arranged and covered by the Host Family or agency
- Health insurance: basic plan is fully paid by the Host Family or the agency
- Household-related costs: utilities, internet, and standard household expenses
Au Pair Covers
- Travel costs: flights to and from China are usually paid in advance by Au Pair (upon program completion, they are partially or fully reimbursed by the agency or Host Family)
- Personal expenses: phone, leisure, and personal items
- Additional insurance: if extra coverage is needed beyond the basic insurance
- Personal travel and activities: outside of the family routine
What else?
- In China, health insurance varies significantly by provider and plan. Most policies fall into two categories: inpatient coverage (hospitalisation and emergencies) and outpatient coverage (medical visits without overnight stay). Not all services are included by default, and reimbursement conditions may differ. Au Pairs and Host Families should ensure that their insurance is accepted by nearby hospitals and clarify key details such as waiting periods, advance payments, and scope of coverage.
- Au Pairs and Host Families can also be matched through agencies, which provide support with placement, visa process, and stay organization. A list of AuPair.com’s full-service partner agencies in China is available here.
- Travel arrangements and reimbursement conditions can vary significantly between agencies and programs in China. In most cases, the Au Pair initially covers the flight cost, which is later reimbursed either partially or in full. The exact amount, timing, and reimbursement conditions should always be clearly defined in the Au Pair contract to avoid misunderstandings.
- It is crucial to keep in mind that the Au Pair stay in China is not a full-time or part-time job, but a cultural exchange experience for both sides. The Au Pair supports the family with light childcare while taking part in language and culture classes. Learning, sharing cultures, and everyday interaction are at the heart of the program.