FAQs AND INFORMATION

Please find here the information you may want to read in preparation of your au pair's arrival. We also make sure we answer all your questions during the telephone consultation before we activate your search.

Click here to register to find an au pair for your family

Below are the answers to the frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, you can e-mail us on

nicole@smartaupairs.com

HOW MUCH DOES A TYPICAL AU PAIR EARN, AND HOW MANY HOURS SHOULD SHE/HE WORK?

Please see our 'what is an au pair' page for practical information.

If you are looking to for guidelines on pay for a mother's help, please click here.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO PROVIDE FOR MY AU PAIR?

In some cases there are other elements the family may consider to provide for the au pair, these are optional extras:

• Use of car in for her/his spare time,
•  Chance to travel (abroad) with the family
• Internet (broadband) access to keep in touch with home
• A mobile phone with limited personal use funded (pay as you go)
• Membership to (sports) clubs
• Payment of/towards English classes
• Payment of/towards First Aid qualification
• Payment towards travel expenses on public transport
• Payment towards flight home after agreed period of successful performance

HOW DO 'MOTHER'S HELP' DIFFER FROM REGULAR AU PAIRS?

They are candidates who are willing and able to take on higher levels of responsibility, but not fully qualified like a professional nanny or teacher. Mother's help is a specialist candidate in our Diamond category.

Please read more information about mother's help program.

I HAVE A CHILD UNDER TWO/CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. CAN I EXPECT MY AU PAIR TO PROVIDE CARE?

An au pair should not be expected to have sole care for infants under the age of two or for children with special needs, because they are not qualified or experienced to do so.

They can however be a great 'extra pair of hands' or take the older children off your hands for a few hours giving you time to relax and care for your baby.

SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE TO MY AU PAIR'S TRAVEL COSTS?

Au pairs are expected to pay for their own international flights. The host family should collect the au pair from the airport. 

The host family is expected to pay for interstate flights if the au pair attends the orientation program and facilitate the transfer from/to airport to the family home.

Families in remote location should expect to pay for connecting interstate flights from the nearest international airport. 

WILL MY AU PAIR BE ABLE TO DRIVE?

If your au pair has a full, clean driving license from the UK or an EEA country, they are permitted to drive in Australia.

However, the fact that the au pair has a driving license does not guarantee suitability to drive in Australia. As driving in Australia is quite different from the continent (driving on the left, roundabouts, levels of traffic) it is best to consider a driver with some driving experience (regular driving with town, countryside and motorway experience).

To familiarise them with driving in Australia, you should book a few lessons with a qualified driving instructor and give them time to practice before driving your vehicle on their own and transporting your children.

If you need them to drive your vehicle, you will need to arrange appropriate insurance for the car they will be driving.

You cannot expect an au pair to pay for any damage but she should pay for traffic fines! Please explain local road signs (especially parking!) and speed restrictions.

Petrol must be provided for use on duty, but the au pair may be asked to contribute towards petrol for personal use whilst off duty.

ARE ALL AU PAIRS TRAINED IN
FIRST AID?

Many families wish to provide their au pair with a first aid course. It is not compulsory for au pairs to have First Aid training as part of the au pair program but many candidates do hold a certificate. Smartaupairs provides a DC-Rom to teach first aid for children, including venemous creatures unique to Australia.

You may sponsor your au pair to get certified either prior to arrival or within the first month of their stay with you.

WHAT'S THE RECOMMENDED HEALTH AND INSURANCES PROCEDURES FOR AU PAIRS?

We recommend au pairs to book an annual insurance policy for gap year travel before they travel.

As a host family, you are an employer and 'work cover' may be required, depending on your State or Territory regulations.

In South Australia you are exempt from this as part of the -

Small employer registration exemption

Registration exemption (domestic workers)

If you employ a worker (or workers), but not for the purposes of a trade or business, and the remuneration paid to the worker(s) does not exceed $10,200 in the 2008 calendar year, you are not required to register as an employer and not required to pay a levy.

Please see here for more information on work cover in other locations:

Domestic Work Cover Insurance
Insurance to cover your nanny/au pair in the event of an accident. Legislation on insurance requirements vary between the different states and territories.

For information on the insurance requirements in your state or territory click below:

NSW click here

Victoria click here

Western Australia click here

Queensland click here

Tasmania click here

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Although they will be making lots of new friends, it is important for them to keep in touch with 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 help them to keep in touch.

If you have broadband at home and they have a broadband connection at their family home, they can chat online in writing and also speak to their family and friends. If you both have a webcam, they can even see each other. Keeping in touch with minimise the risk of home-sickness.

UNHAPPY

Even with the best planning and support, occasionally things do not work out and someone is unhappy.

WE ALWAYS ASK AU PAIRS TO TALK TO THEIR HOST FAMILY FIRST. We then 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.

VISA REQUIREMENTS AND NATIONALITIES

Our au pairs travel on a Working Holiday Visa. 
Your host family does not need to sponsor the visa.

 
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS & SERVICES 

coming soon - feel free to make recommendations!

WHAT CAN I DO TO ASSIST MY AU PAIR IN FINDING LANGUAGE CLASSES?

Family and au pair should work together to find the right language courses. It may be difficult to arrange these in advance as a local test is often required to make sure classes are at the right level. Many au pairs travelling to Australia are often French, German, European or Canadian and already speak good English and do not require language classes, they just want to practise their langauge skills on a daily basis with your family members!