babysitters

[ben5]

living in Perth, Australia and have friends who have older children and they say they would be able to babysit. How old do you have to be to become a babysitter in Australia? I think it's 14 in the UK.Is it the same here.
Thank you

[sunnydelight]

There is no such thing as a legal minimum age to babysit, either here or in the UK. The RSPCC recommends 13, but it is just a recommendation which people get confused about. If something happens and you have left your children with someone who couldn't reasonably be expected to look after them you could be held to have been neglectful.

[overthemill]

no legal minimum in UK. You just have to not be negligent, iyswim.
i think they'd be fine, why don't you have a practice session one day while you are there to answer questions and take it from there?

[ben5]

thanks!