Who We Are

The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) and its family of companies organises cultural exchange programs throughout the world for more than 50,000 students and young people each year. Since 1964 AIFS has been the leading provider of cultural exchange and educational opportunities for more than 1.8 million young people.

1972 was the first year we operated in Australia, recruiting young Australians to  our Camp America program. In 2005 AIFS opened its Sydney office and student centre, expanding our outbound programs and offering inbound programs to Australia. Today AIFS’ programs include Au Pair, high school exchange, Winter Work in Japan and Canada, volunteering and Work & Travel. For more information about AIFS in Australia please visit www.aifs.com.au. For more information about AIFS around the world please visit www.aifs.com. 

At AIFS Au Pair, we believe that adults in all aspects of children’s lives, whether parents or other carers have a moral and ethical responsibility to keep children safe and to protect them from harm and child abuse.

As Australia's only Child Wise accredited Au pair agency, AIFS Au Pair actively supports measures towards child protection and child abuse prevention. AIFS Au Pair always considers and acts in the ‘best interests of the child’ principle as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and this principle forms the basis for this AIFS Au Pair Child Protection Policy and Reporting Framework.

As an organisation in the Cultural Exchange sector offering in-home services, AIFS Au Pair has a place in ensuring that children are protected from harm and believes that all children have a right to be safe from abuse and neglect.

AIFS Au Pair child protection and safeguarding practices include:

• This Child Protection Policy and Reporting Framework, annually reviewed and updated
• A Code of Conduct for appropriate behaviour towards and around children
• Materials displayed at our offices, on our website and advertising about Child protection and safeguarding
• Child Safe recruitment and screening including a personal interview, reference and police checks, working with children check, arrival orientation containing a dedicated session on child protection and completion of an Australian paediatric first aid course.
• Supervision, support and performance monitoring of Au Pairs by the AIFS Child Safety Officer. 
• Professional Development Training in the Child Protection field for both office representatives and Au Pairs, creating an understanding including legal responsibilities and Duty of Care to children in Australia
• An appointed Child Safety Officer
• Child abuse complaints/reporting procedures; and
• Quarterly and annual review of child protection policies, procedures and code of conduct, ensuring our company continues its child safe practices and has an appropriate continuous improvement process in place.

For a copy of our Child Protection Policy please contact us on 1300 889 067
 

Au Pairs must have a minimum of 200 referenced hours of childcare experience. This may include internships in kindergartens, work as camp counsellors, sports coaches, or doing regular babysitting or tutoring. The level and type of experience you require from your Au Pair can be chosen based on our three Au Pair tiers.

AIFS Au Pairs are between 18 and 30 years of age, although most Au Pairs are around 18-20 years old and participating while on a gap year. No matter what age, all AIFS Au Pairs have at least 200 hours of verified childcare experience and they have been carefully screened and interviewed before being accepted by AIFS. Please remember that even with the relevant experience, as a young adult they will need your instructions and guidance, particularly in the first few weeks of the placement.

Generally it takes around 4-8 weeks to find an Au Pair for your family, but this can change throughout the year. Au Pairs from countries other than Germany can normally arrive in Australia at short notice, although finding the right match between your family and an Au Pair’s profile is our number one priority. While the matching process may take a little more time, it ensures that your Au Pair will fit your family and its requirements.