wages... ap

[chloeb2002]

ok we have had our first au pair and feel we must be really off the mark.. we live in brisbane and i need and ap to look after ds whilst i am at work and drop dd off at school and collect her, generally only 3 shifts a week as when dh is home on a weekened he looks after the small people. they get total full board, can buy what they want at the supermarket... use of their own car with fuel provided and a mobile pre paid with credit, use of house phone for international and national cxalles and im happy for them to have a 2nd job around my shift hours... on top we pay $140 au cash in hand. (aus tax system is 40% on everything for tourists) so about70 gbp a week. am i mad? last au pair said not enough money for her makeup and social life! suggestions.. ps i would by supermarket make up!!!!!

Bumping for you.

thanks feeling like i must be totaly nuts one girl was intersted in coming but has decided to stay in france where she will earn $2400 dollars a month! so that is 1200 pounds,. i am in the wrong job! and i assume tahst live in bills food ect on top!

Oh to add i do all the cooking, cleaning and washing so pretty ,much no domestic chores... and paid holidays!

Never been to Australia so no idea about the price level and wages in there, but your deal sounds pretty good to me!

probably 30 hours a week.. give or take....

I pay GBP80 for 25 - 35 hours (my week is a bit unpredictable) plus the same benefits, on my occasional visits to Oz I seem to remember cost of things bein a bit lower so you maybe paying top end.

Check here would seem you are about average.

Chloeb
I've been wondering how you were getting on after your earlier threads (we were looking at the same time). We're out of the au pair market and have hired an after school nanny who has another job close by so it miraculously worked out. Basically what I found recruiting in London is that au pairs if they have ANY experience whatsoever (like, have babysat for a relative) and knowledge of the English language seem to want at least GBP 80 per week. I suppose it might make a difference if you could offer them accommodation in Notting Hill, which we can't (nice area but Zone 4). The candidates I talked to with more than just a little experience really seemd to want nanny jobs. I got emails from girls who had been au pairs previously, but for only a month at a time, maybe on three separate occasions who said they were looking for a minimum of 150 per week salary. For school pick ups only? Clearly this is not what these girls have in mind though, they are coming to the UK to earn and believe they have enough experience for many hours sole charge work. It sounds to me like you may be in this situation with this girl. Where is she from and does she have experience?

I am actually quite surprised that you'd have difficulty in OZ as I would think for a European it would be a bit of a Notting Hill situation whereby they might put up with a bit less cash - and I don't think your salary is really off for an AP - for a great location.

But Chloe, are you saying that the AP has sole care of your DS (and sometimes DD too) for all of those 30 hours? How old is DS? If under 3 then I think what you call an AP is what I call a nanny, and that could be why the numbers might not stack up....babysitting or school drop-offs is one thing, but sole care for a whole day is a lot more demanding than a standard AP set-up..

I'll come out Chloe Am a qualified nanny looking to aupair in Oz for a couple of months before starting uni!

You can get a lot of money in France, but the family think they own you! They wouldn't be working your 3 shifts a week I'd probably go for your deal as an AP, particularly as there's a possibility for a second job, everything paid, own car....

I'll mention you to a friend who's making vague mutterings about Australia.

I would also love to come and be your AP but too busy with school at the moment, so perhaps if you are looking again in September 09?

I think at last we have someone! twims trouble is we really want someone to saty for a minimum of 8 months.. to boot we pay return flight if they stay 8 months....yes they have sole charge of ds while im at work but this doesnt appear to be a drama for anyone. I work 10 mins down the road. ap had there own sat tv in their room and will have broad band pc too of their own... more like 25 hours a week. Harriet last girl would have been great if she had settled.had minimal experience but was great with the kids just some honesty issues with us and just didnt settle. have confirmed with agency and they think wage and conditiuons are more than generous. Girl interested has been nanny for 2 years in france and sounds great. been to aus before happy with money and conditions so just wait and see! Thanks for everyones comments.