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Original poster

Au pair salary

149 replies

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 01:38

So since 2024? Au pairs have to be paid minimum wage. Whilst I appreciate deduction for room, £800 a month, room, food and board seems a pretty good deal! Au pairs used to be a cultural exchange

OP posts:
Ottiliesegg · 05/11/2026 03:03

You seem really irritated by paying for an au pair.

What's the reason you're using one if it annoys you so much?

It's not an obligation... Presumably there's some kind of reason this set up is beneficial to you. Use them or don't use them, but complaining about paying minimum wage with deductions built in is pretty low.

AmnesiacDream · 05/11/2026 03:06

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 02:23

It’s not a live in nanny role it’s it’s just help with pick up and drop offs,

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That doesn't stop it being a live in nanny role, really. It's just really part time. You need someone who can't work a proper job as has a split day working for you. The youth mobility visa caps working hours so it's only going to appeal to people who have an incentive outside of what you're offering as a host and employer and don't really need to earn enough to live on.

It's really not a good deal for most people. You're using the cultural cache the UK holds to attract someone into a situation most people would not find attractive.

Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:07

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 02:54

So a 19 year old with zero qualifications should get the same remuneration as an offshore petroleum engineer?

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All your showing is a lack of understanding of rigs 😂 there are many jobs on a rig - some are highly skilled but there are also other jobs such as laundry operatives, stewards (cleaning and bedding) mess stewards etc. Many don't need formal qualifications (obviously offshore minimum of bosiet and mist).

Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:09

Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 02:59

Why would the equivalent rent be £900?! I'm assuming your in London for that price assumption. The au pair wouldn't be in that city without the request of a family.
So no they are not costing you the equivalent of £900 of rent given they are living in your property.

As I said if you don't want to pay an au pair then simply don't use after school clubs, a nanny (who will cost you way more) or childminders.

£200 a week spending is hardly living the high life either! Clothes, personal care, phone bill, often the au pairs we had would enroll on college courses etc.

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Well obviously an au pair won’t be anywhere without the request of a host family. I think at 18, a take home pay of £8/900 is pretty amazing!
im not saying people shouldn’t be paid fairly and compensated, but an au pair is getting a lot of benefits which a minimum wage worker does not

OP posts:
Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:10

Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:07

All your showing is a lack of understanding of rigs 😂 there are many jobs on a rig - some are highly skilled but there are also other jobs such as laundry operatives, stewards (cleaning and bedding) mess stewards etc. Many don't need formal qualifications (obviously offshore minimum of bosiet and mist).

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Hilarious bearing in mind I’ve worked rigs 20 years

OP posts:
Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:12

Ottiliesegg · 05/11/2026 03:03

You seem really irritated by paying for an au pair.

What's the reason you're using one if it annoys you so much?

It's not an obligation... Presumably there's some kind of reason this set up is beneficial to you. Use them or don't use them, but complaining about paying minimum wage with deductions built in is pretty low.

Not irritated at all. Just say it’s not a bad job!

OP posts:
Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:18

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:10

Hilarious bearing in mind I’ve worked rigs 20 years

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So you should be well informed on the other roles then which don't usually require formal qualifications and everyone onboard gets free accommodation, food, laundry and transport from heliport then!

Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:19

AmnesiacDream · 05/11/2026 03:06

That doesn't stop it being a live in nanny role, really. It's just really part time. You need someone who can't work a proper job as has a split day working for you. The youth mobility visa caps working hours so it's only going to appeal to people who have an incentive outside of what you're offering as a host and employer and don't really need to earn enough to live on.

It's really not a good deal for most people. You're using the cultural cache the UK holds to attract someone into a situation most people would not find attractive.

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I’m definitely not using a cultural cache…. Ideally I’d not have to work at all, which means I wouldn’t need help with anything the kids.
some people just like to travel the world, explore and be open to opportunities….when I worked in a hotel in Andorra for a pittance I didn’t feel exploited….i was grateful for that opportunity.

OP posts:
Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:27

Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:18

So you should be well informed on the other roles then which don't usually require formal qualifications and everyone onboard gets free accommodation, food, laundry and transport from heliport then!

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Yes, and the stewards not getting paid the same as the OIM are they?
whats this got to do with au pairs?

OP posts:
Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:38

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:27

Yes, and the stewards not getting paid the same as the OIM are they?
whats this got to do with au pairs?

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😂 go read back through your replies!
You stated no other MWJ gives free rent and food like au pairs do, I gave you a list of positions which do (including offshore roles).

You stated about a offshore engineer and non qualified 19 year old is not comparable so I simply stated that's not the only position on a rig and provided examples.

Many people use other childcare options then au pairs. Maybe look into the cost of those before stating why should the govt enforce MW for au pairs.

I suspect that you have an au pair because it's one of the cheapest ways to cover childcare especially in holidays, after 6pm and more than 1 child.

Your not getting a raw deal in comparison to other childcare options.

Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:41

Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:38

😂 go read back through your replies!
You stated no other MWJ gives free rent and food like au pairs do, I gave you a list of positions which do (including offshore roles).

You stated about a offshore engineer and non qualified 19 year old is not comparable so I simply stated that's not the only position on a rig and provided examples.

Many people use other childcare options then au pairs. Maybe look into the cost of those before stating why should the govt enforce MW for au pairs.

I suspect that you have an au pair because it's one of the cheapest ways to cover childcare especially in holidays, after 6pm and more than 1 child.

Your not getting a raw deal in comparison to other childcare options.

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No one working offshore is on minimum wage so that’s just nonsense

OP posts:
Wordsmithery · 05/11/2026 03:43

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 02:23

It’s not a live in nanny role it’s it’s just help with pick up and drop offs,

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If that's all you're using the au pair for then you've chosen an unnecessarily expensive childcare option.
I was an au pair back in the dark ages (1980s). I did school pick ups and drops offs in term time and full days childcare throughout school holidays. Plus cleaning the flat daily and shopping. Oh and putting up with the husband's boringly predictable advances, yawn yawn. All for 900FF a month, plus board. Grim.

Steeleydan · 05/11/2026 03:45

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 01:51

Yeah don’t get me wrong, we’re paying the wages as per guidance, but its made me realise it’s a pretty good gig no bills, no expense no rent…..

I don't think its a good gig at all! Yes rent free,no bills etc,however once the job ends,theyre homeless and jobless, and as you've paid them so little they will of hardly have chance to save up to rent or a deposit, so nothing at all attractive about,been exploited!

KookyFish · 05/11/2026 03:47

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 02:49

At 18, I went on a gap year….i didn’t stop to think of the ethics or fair wage, tax and pension contributions. I took the opportunity to travel Europe with various jobs, and it was fabulous. I got cheap accommodation, they got cheap labour.

20 years on, I have an au pair, who I’m paying by the books and I’m just shocked at £800 take home is probably more than most minimum wage jobs

How is £800 take home pay more than most minimum wage jobs? The take home pay for minimum wage is around £1700/1800 a month.

Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:48

Steeleydan · 05/11/2026 03:45

I don't think its a good gig at all! Yes rent free,no bills etc,however once the job ends,theyre homeless and jobless, and as you've paid them so little they will of hardly have chance to save up to rent or a deposit, so nothing at all attractive about,been exploited!

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How is paying NMW exploitation with food and rent included?

OP posts:
Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:49

KookyFish · 05/11/2026 03:47

How is £800 take home pay more than most minimum wage jobs? The take home pay for minimum wage is around £1700/1800 a month.

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because they have no bills to pay

OP posts:
Winklepickers · 05/11/2026 03:50

I understand where you’re coming from in that having a minimum wage without any bills sounds like it’s a perk.

but it’s also a perk for the family- it’s essentially wrap around care. I paid far more for my wrap around care than my friend did in au pair wages. It was also far more flexible.

Parents can nip out for an hour and know the child is being looked after.

and while au pairs are only supposed to do about 15 hours a week, they can’t really do any other job.

pick up and drop off is realistically 2 hours a day ( you couldn’t get anyone to do it for less). So that’s 10 hours already. There’s no way my friend’s au pair was only doing 5 hours a week of additional work.

Steeleydan · 05/11/2026 03:51

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:48

How is paying NMW exploitation with food and rent included?

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Because £200 a week at nmw under 21 is only about 18 ish hours a week, less if theyre over 21,iam sure as hell you'll have them working more hrs than that!

Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:51

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:41

No one working offshore is on minimum wage so that’s just nonsense

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Jesus wept go back and read!!!! I stated originally not MW (although starting salary for entry level stewards isn't far off!)

Clearly you just want to moan that you feel hard done by paying for an au pair. Welcome to adult life where childcare unless provided by family members isn't free!

It's a classic MN AIBU......

MN.... yes

OP... no I'm not it's an amazing deal and paying minimum wage is too much.....

Steeleydan · 05/11/2026 03:53

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:49

because they have no bills to pay

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You're only allowed to take a certain amount per week off them for accommodation its called accommodation offset, it used to be about £85 a week, be more now. And once you've taken that off they should still come out with nmw per hr every hr worked

Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 03:59

Scottishskifun · 05/11/2026 03:51

Jesus wept go back and read!!!! I stated originally not MW (although starting salary for entry level stewards isn't far off!)

Clearly you just want to moan that you feel hard done by paying for an au pair. Welcome to adult life where childcare unless provided by family members isn't free!

It's a classic MN AIBU......

MN.... yes

OP... no I'm not it's an amazing deal and paying minimum wage is too much.....

Edited
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Likewise….
im talking about unqualified teenagers sitting in a spare bedroom and you’re comparing it to very specific, remote, dangerous and skilled workers.

im not bemoaning it at all, just saying its not a bad gig….maybe i should have done that at 19 if the pay was the same as going offshore

OP posts:
Glowingup · 05/11/2026 03:59

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 02:57

But it’s more than minimum wage isn’t it, as all expenses are covered

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Do you actually know how much minimum wage is? Because it doesn’t seem like you do.

Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 04:03

Steeleydan · 05/11/2026 03:51

Because £200 a week at nmw under 21 is only about 18 ish hours a week, less if theyre over 21,iam sure as hell you'll have them working more hrs than that!

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She’s paid NMW I assure you

OP posts:
Original poster
aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 04:08

Glowingup · 05/11/2026 03:59

Do you actually know how much minimum wage is? Because it doesn’t seem like you do.

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Yes, and then I’m covering food rent and bills, so not sure what the issue is here

OP posts:
Sess249 · 05/11/2026 04:14

aupairinuk · 05/11/2026 02:35

I suppose I’m just trying to understand the justification of the government enforcing minimum wage! No other minimum wage jobs get rent and food included.

The govt is probably trying to tighten the laws that have let families get away with taking advantage of young (mostly) women who’ve come to the Uk to improve their English and explore a bit.

its fine to say they can always leave but if you make £70-£150 per week in pocket money you aren’t going to get very far are you?