Anyone in Aus with an Au Pair?

[HerRoyalNotness]

Just trying to get some idea of ease to have an au pair and cost.

Will most likely be separating from H in the coming months and no clue where I will move with the DC, no right to stay where we are as linked to H's visa. Have right to reside in Aus though and looking for info for me to make a plan.

What is the job market like at the moment? I normally work for eng/construct company in large projects, looking at brisvegas at this stage.

Thanks very much

hi, I've seen plenty of au pairs in Brisbane and many people seem to make it work - I think one family near me were paying their's about $150 AUD per week in addition to food/lodgings etc and then extra for babysitting. Considering the cost of nannies and babysitters (min $20 per hour for evening babysitting round me) I can see why an au pair is an attractive option as long as you have room and accept someone living in your house! Most au pairs though don't do full time childcare - its more for drop offs/pick ups and a few hours of after school care. A family I know found the turnover of au pairs difficult to deal with - they come stating they want to stay 6 months then only manage 2 or 3 months...they found that hard on the kids and gave up on having au pairs in the end. I think it must be great if you find a gem who wants to stay for a decent length of time but I guess that's v hard to find out in advance.

Thanks ifink. That's quite reasonable especially considering cost of living in Aus.

Have a 5 and 8yo so would be wrap around care, and hoping school holidays. Not sure what the provision is like there for that normally.

Where we are now you can't go out the door without falling over those provisions.

My sister had several au pairs over a period of a few years, some better than others. One only lasted 2 weeks before they asked her to leave, but another stayed for about a year. Generally they stay for 6 months.

$150 a week is about right, but it does depend on the hours and duties. Look at aupairworld.com to get an idea.

There are school holiday day camps, often run by the same people who do before/after school care. I'm not sure of the cost though. And you would probably be able to get childcare subsidies/rebates if you're Australian.

Not sure about the job market, but I would suggest you contact a recruiter in that field to get an idea.

We are in Brisbane and have had au pairs for 8 years now. 4 dc. We pay $120'a week plus full board, car, Foxtel, Internet, gym membership... Etc. normally 28 hours a week.
We use au pair world to find au pairs. Plenty around here! Although the numbers wanting to come from Europe have decreased lately.. Not sure why. Seems a problem lots of people are having.

Should add every au pair bar one stayed for the full 12 months. Treat them well. Respect them, you are their host mum not employer and they will enjoy their time and stay. We have had aupairs with all dc from 6 months old. Not an issue for us. All have been very able.

To have an Aupair in Australia you must sort the visas issues and conditions.
If they are under 31 years, most will come with a working Holiday visa WHV, but they can't work more than six months for the same employer.
Others will come with a student visa, but in this case, they can't work more than 20 hours per week.

Another solution would be to search for a lodger and offer a low /free rent in exchange for childcare.

Love the rumours about aupairs!
Ok.. First hand discussions with ato and immigration.
So
Au pairs can earn up to $140 a week as pocket money. This is not taxable income. This is pocket money. Money towards treats.
If you " employ" and au pair then correct it's 6 months max. But you pay their tax and super and accepted minimum wage. You also must have employers liability as they are covered by work cover.
Au pairs can be on a holiday visa for 6 months. They too are allowed to have accommodation and pocket money. But not earn a wage.
Key points... Au pairs cannot claim tax back as they have paid none. Unless paid a gross wage.
So we have aupairs stay 12 months. Totally legally and above board. We cannot claim any Childcare rebate etc. We pay $120
A week. Cash or bank transfer. We offer perks like gym membership, fuel in their own car etc.
au pair agencies will happily send au pairs for 12 months.
Having had au pairs for 8 years here we have thoroughly done our homework. We have multiple friends colleagues who have au pairs from either agencies or au pair world also for 12 months. Too much misinterpretation of au pair legislation and description of an au pairs role or employment status.
Au pair means.. As part of the family. That's what they are. They live with us. In their host mum. I help to advise them, assist them with gaining independence and growing from teenagers At home to young adults ready to face Uni and the big world. Loved my role. In exchange they do Childcare, they join in our lives for 12 months. Life long family friends and connections with their whole families with many mums and dads coming to visit for a cheap holiday too!

Thanks so much for the extra info, it really helps

So Chloeb on which number visa are your aupair entering Australia?
Board and food and pocket money in exchange of work is considered remuneration for the immigration so give us facts we can use.
Name of the visa, category and number please.

So as you have done your homework, as you say, share the results. Otherwise, this is just another "rumours" for me.

Au pairs can come in on work and holiday or holiday 6 months visas.
At the end of the day if your not happy with the rational given by both ato and sept immigration then don't do it.
So my au pairs are tourist. No Aussie would get out of bed for $120 a week! They are here to travel. I work around their travel plans.
DIBP say this about eVisitor Visas (subclass 651):
Volunteer work tourism schemes
In general, an eVisitor does not allow you to work in Australia. However, you may be able to work as a volunteer if:
your main purpose in visiting Australia is tourism, and the voluntary work is incidental to tourism
the work is genuinely voluntary and you are not paid for it, other than for meals, accommodation or out-of-pocket living expenses
the work would not otherwise be done in return for wages by an Australian resident.