FAQs & INFORMATION
Please find here the information you should read in preparation of your application. There is also an answer to the frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, you can e-mail us on
info@smartaupairs.com.au
OPTIONS FOR AU PAIR VISAS COMING TO AUSTRALIA
Working
Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
For people from Belgium,
Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong
Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands,
Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and United Kingdom.
Work and
Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
Information for applicants
from Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia,
Iran, Malaysia, Thailand,
Turkey and the USA on holiday and work visas in Australia.
If you want to be Au Pair in
Australia
you will need to qualify for a visa from the above categories. We have partner
agencies in many of the above countries to assist with your application. You
can only apply to us directly for the Au Pair in Australia
program if you are already Australia
at time of registration.
Au Pairs travelling to Europe will get detailed information during the au pair
briefing and interview. Each country is slightly different and it depends the
country, your circumstances and the program you apply for as to what visa may
be best for you.
HOW
CAN I MEET OTHER AU PAIRS?
1)
A good place to meet other au pairs is language classes. If you are not going
to language classes because you are a native speaker, why not go along to the
first lesson or registration at your local language school and offer to help
other au pairs improve their language skills! This is a great way to make
friends and do something really constructive. Some of them are also offering
excursions which you can take part in.
2)
Join a local Club – anything from (team) sports, gym, fitness, running, music,
reading, chess, film-club. Ask the host family to find out about clubs nearby.
Often Clubs run by the local council (government) are cheaper than private
clubs.
3)
If there is a University in the City, there are usually student get-togethers
and leisure activities.
4)
Ask the agency to give you e-mail addresses of au pairs nearby and see if any
meetings are being organized
5)
Register with Facebook groups for au pairs (Facebook groups are also open to
others so take care before arranging any meeting and/or giving personal information)
6)
Register with ‘ex-pat’ groups in your area, other people who are new to the
area are very likely to also be looking to meet other people nearby to explore
together
7)
Sign up for a local excursion, especially backpackers daytrips will be certain
to be booked by other young people AND it is a great way to see more of the
country.
8)
During your time off, you can get involved in volunteering, Google
‘volunteering + your location’ to find out how you can get involved, you may be
able to help with local events, conservation & wildlife projects, at the
local church or community centre.
9)
Ask your host family to introduce you to au pairs and/or other people of your
age in the area
10)
In the UK we have a dedicated website to introduce you to other au pairs
11)
Find local meet up clubs on www.meetup.com
Type in your city or postal code and use keywords such as: au pair, nanny,
language class etc.
12) Go to your local school
on Sunday. In the evenings there are usually a lot of young people and this is
a great way to meet new people.
FAMILY VETTING
Our
agencies abroad use different methods and many agencies know their host
families from years of au pair placements. Families are generally interviewed
in detail by phone; family, home and work details are checked and in some
countries home visits are undertaken.
WHAT WILL MY HOURS BE, AND HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?
As
au pair you take part in a cultural exchange program. You are expected to do
25-30 hours of duties, mostly related to childcare but also some light
housework. Pay varies by country but don't forget, you also get all your
accommodation and meals!
See
country guides
for more detail.
WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY FLIGHT?
Au
pairs are expected to pay for their own flight to the host family unless
specifically agreed otherwise. The host family will collect you from the
airport or arrange for collection.
In
the Netherlands and Germany, we have a special agreement where you can 'earn
back' your flight costs. Ask us for more details.
Why
not let our specialist
travel company take care of your flights? Their knowledge is sure to save
you money!
TIP: double check your luggage allowance. Excess luggage may cost as much as
your ticket.
WILL I BE ABLE TO DRIVE?
If
you have a full, clean driving license you should be permitted to drive abroad.
We recommend you apply for an International
Driving Permit before you travel.
If
the family needs you to drive their vehicle, they will arrange appropriate
insurance for the car you will be driving. We also ask them to provide you with
a couple of lessons and time to practise before you drive on your own or with
the children.
Please
provide a copy of your license in advance, with your references.
HOW DO I IMPROVE MY CV?
There
are several ways of improving your CV. Putting the Au Pair experience on your
CV shows that you are independent, mature and capable. It also indicates that
you are able to be flexible and work as part of a team. Living abroad makes you
more culturally aware and if, at the same time you have improved your language
skills, this is another valuable benefit of aupairing!
Other extras that are great on your CV and are easy to achieve as part of your
time as an au pair are:
- FIRST AID
- APPROVED LANGUAGE CLASSES - language skills
ARE THERE ANY WAYS OF EARNING MORE MONEY AS AN AU PAIR?
Please
speak to your host family if you would like to earn more. They may be able to
help you. On an au pair visa, your options may be limited, on a Working Holiday
Visa you are more flexible.
BABYSITTING
Your host family may be able to recommend you to their friends for babysitting.
That way you will come recommended and you know you will be safe.
DOG WALKING
If you like fresh air and keeping fit, why not help a busy dog owner by walking
their dog(s). It saves you money on gym membership and you meet new people in
the park too!
TUTORING
Your host family may be able to recommend you to their friends for (language)
tutoring or help with homework. It is sometimes nice to gain additional
exprience from working with children of a different age group to the host
family's children.
ANY TIPS ON HOW TO SAVE MONEY?
If
you have any tips you want to share with us, please get in touch.
Transferring
funds overseas can be expensive using the major banks. Thankfully, Smart
Aupairs have partnered with currency specialist, TRANZFERS (www.tranzfers.com/partner.asp?id=731)
so you can send money faster and for a lot less. Their fee is a maximum of
15AUD, they guarantee no receiving bank fees and their rates are much better.
Best of all you can do it all on the net - so no more bank queues and
forms!
Using
Tranzfers.com you will enjoy
- Cheaper and
faster way to transfer funds
- Low fees and
excellent exchange rates
- Servicing the
UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, Hong Kong,
Europe(Euro & Polish Zloty), Sweden and the USA.
- Secure online
service
- More
competitive than banks and other providers
- Choose the
time of conversion yourself at the click of a button
- Licensed and
regulated company
Visit
TRANZFERS (www.tranzfers.com/partner.asp?id=731)
now to get started or to find out more: http://www.tranzfers.com
(www.tranzfers.com/partner.asp?id=731)
TELEPHONE
Download Skype for free now, allowing you to make
FREE calls to other Skype users and CHEAP calls to landlines and mobiles
abroad. Easy to sign up now!
ANY IDEAS ON ENTERTAINING THE CHILDREN?
Even
if you have a lot of experience with children, you sometimes need new ideas.
Check BBC play
& do for some great suggestions.
Feel
free to let us have your favorite source of new ideas to entertain the
children.
I'M UNHAPPY. WHAT CAN I DO?
Even
with the best planning and support, occasionally things do not work out and
someone is unhappy.
TALK
TO YOUR HOST FAMILY FIRST! We always first try to assist to find a solution
between the two parties. We can mediate and often an open and frank discussion
results in a positive outcome.
However,
there are situations where this is not the case. Each situation is different
and we will do what we can to support both parties. If appropriate, we find a
replacement.
At
all times we ask both parties to remain courteous.
The
hosting contract states 14 days notice, giving au pair and host family a chance
to make alternative arrangements.
HOW WILL I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
Although
you will be making lots of new friends, it is important to keep in touch with
your family and friends back home. Traditionally this has been costly but with
technology evolving all the time, you may find that it is much easier now to
keep in touch.
If you have broadband at home and at your host family, you can chat online in
writing and also speak to them. If you have a webcam, you can even see each other.
Before you leave home, talk to your parents and advise them of the options,
this way you can share your experience!
WHAT IS THE SMART AU PAIRS CERTIFICATE?
At
the end of the au pair stay, our au pairs find that they have gained valuable
skills for life.
Employers and Universities really appreciate applicants who have been abroad
and our certificate is an ideal way to show them about your achievement.