Being an Au Pair means a lot of advantages: You do not need to pay for accomodation and full board and receive a monthly or weekly pocket money from your Host Family. Moreover the working hours and holidays are regulated as well. Have a look at the details:
Even though, the participant should always put the Host Family first and see them as a priority, and there are no specific regulations of how many hours the participant is allowed to work, the Au Pair should still not spend more than 30 hours a week on
Au Pair duties - babysitting on up to 3 evenings included.
The Host Family pays pocket money which is regulated by minimum wage and varies from province to province.The full board and accommodation are not included in the pocket money. In addition to that, the Host Family will pay employment insurance and income tax.
The Au Pair and the Host Family need to check out the minimum wages of each part of Canada. In general the salary is about 330 CAD a week. At the end of the year, the Au Pair can submit a tax declaration in order to get a tax refund.
Click here to check the minimum wage in Canada for Young Workers.
The participant should actually pay for the flight to Canada and the flight back home. Yet it is possible to talk to the Host Family. Many Host Families are happy to help with the
travel expenses. It is not obligatory for the family though, it is only a recommendation.
An Au Pair in Canada should have at least 1 day a week off. At least once a month this day should be Sunday.
Although the Working Holiday program does not have specific regulations about the
Au Pair’s holiday, it is recommended to give the Au Pair 2 weeks off for a total stay of 6 months, and 4 weeks off for a total stay of 1 year. However, if the Host Family wants to give more time off this is totally acceptable.
If the Host Family invites the Au Pair to join them during their holidays, it should be discussed if this time will be taken from the Au Pair’s holidays or not. It is important to write those regulations in the
Au Pair contract so there won’t be any problems or misunderstandings.
An
Au Pair in Canada should attend a
language course or, something similar if your English is already very good. Usually the participant pays for the language course, but of course it is possible to talk to the Host Family about it. Please remember that it is not obligatory for the Host Family to pay!
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