How long does it take to find an au pair?

[Fairuza]

Using au pair world?
We are in a semi-rural area, not exciting/near London etc. I want someone to come in October half term.

It completely depends - who do you need?
If you're happy with a intermediate speaker, 18/19yo, non-driver and offering a decent pocket money package with school age children for 25hrs/week then 2 months will be enough to get someone with checked, less if they already have a police check done and you'll have enough applicants.

If not, you'll need longer.

Happy with an 18/19 year old, needs to speak ok English, one school age child, one under school age and about 25 hours. Maybe I should start looking soon-ish then?

I has good harder to find good quality candidates over the last 2 years and I suspect it will get harder now. I would start looking now. I would also consider if you are semi-rural and are having a non-driver how your AP can make friends in your area as not making friends is one of the biggest reasons they leave early.