An Au Pair is a young person who comes to Australia from another country to provide childcare and related in-home support in exchange for experiencing life with an Australian Family. As the Host Family, you will supply room, board and pocket money for the duration of the placement. 

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
 

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.

Au Pairs in Australia may work up to 35 hours per week and should have at least 1.5 days off per week. While AIFS and Au Pairs understand that flexibility is important as family schedules can easily change, we ask all Host Families to complete a sample schedule so that an Au Pair can understand what is expected of them prior to placement. 

An Au Pair’s primary role is childcare. While they are happy and able to help with light household duties that are childcare related (e.g. tidying the children’s room, making their beds, helping with meals or laundry for children), they are not housekeepers or cleaners. 

All AIFS Au Pairs are happy to help with light household duties when those chores are childcare related, such as tidying the children's room, making their beds, preparing light lunches, cleaning up the kitchen after the preparation of meals or doing the children’s laundry. Au Pairs are not a substitute cleaner so ironing of parents clothing or house cleaning cannot be included in an Au Pair's duties.

Yes, almost every AIFS Au Pair has an International Driver's License and can assist, for example, with school runs or with driving the children to and from sporting or other afternoon/weekend activities. It is the responsibility of the Host Family to assess the driving ability of the Au Pair before granting permission to operate a vehicle, and we recommend that you enrol your Au Pair in at least one driving lesson. Please be aware that most Au Pairs come from right-hand-side traffic countries. Please be mindful that some Au Pairs, depending on their home country, also don't have experience with driving automatic cars.

Under the Terms of the Program, if the Au Pair is required to use a motor vehicle, the Host Family will provide comprehensive vehicle insurance coverage for the Au Pair and have the Au Pair listed as a driver on the insurance policy of all vehicles which the Au Pair will use.

The Host Family agrees to limit any claim against the Au Pair for uninsured damages resulting in the negligent operation of a motor vehicle to a maximum of AUD$1,000. In the event of an insurance claim, the Host Family will be responsible for paying any excess relating to the claim. The Host Family will be liable to pay 100% of any damages if the Au Pair is not listed on the vehicle’s insurance cover.

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.

As part of the AIFS Au Pair Application, every Host Family is asked to complete a sample schedule so that an Au Pair can understand what will be expected from them. Schedules frequently change so Au Pairs do understand that flexibility is a key component to a successful placement, but as part of the agreement they will also need some time to plan their own personal activities.

AIFS Au Pairs may only work up to 35 hours per week for a weekly stipend, depending on their childcare experience and hours. For more information about the costs associated with hiring an Au Pair, please visit our fees page.

No sole overnight care is allowed for children who are not school-aged. Families with school aged children who may require overnight care should contact AIFS before submitting their application.

There are several costs to consider when using AIFS to find your Au Pair. AIFS will charge a Service Fee (non-refundable) and a Placement Fee, which is due 1 month prior to your Au Pair’s arrival. 

Once your Au Pair has arrived, you’ll also need to cover the costs of weekly pocket money for your Au Pair, their completion bonus and leave and full board throughout their placement.

For more information about AIFS’ fees and the costs you will need to consider, please visit our fees page. 

Your Placement Fee is due 1 month prior to your Au Pair's arrival or for faster placements, upon receipt.

While we understand families are busy, the Placement Fee must be paid prior to your Au Pair transferring to your family. Non-payment will result in the immediate cancellation of your Au Pair's placement. You can read more about this in our Terms & Conditions.

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.

Yes, AIFS can assist with a pre-match situation. Please contact us for further information.

Many Au Pairs prefer an initial placement of 6 months however it is often the case that Au Pairs extend their placement. If you wish your Au Pair to extend their placement, please contact AIFS. We will be able to walk you through the steps as well as related costs for extending.

Onshore Au Pairs are already in Australia so can start at quite short notice. If you are considering an onshore Au Pair, please remember that you need to cover the one-way costs for the Au Pair to travel to your family as they may be based in another state or territory.

Au Pairs join AIFS to complete a cultural exchange, so it’s expected that your Au Pair will join in family activities when possible. This helps your Au Pair to get to know the family and your children, as well as to learn more about their new surroundings and Australia. Au Pairs are encouraged to make friends in their local area and will normally use their days off to catch up with these friends and further explore the area/city in which they live.

AIFS Au Pairs are fully covered by medical and liability insurance for the duration of their stay with your family, however, if the Au Pair is unfit to help for a day(s), you will still need to pay the Au Pair weekly pocket money according to the hours, most likely the minimum amount. If the Au Pair is seriously ill or injured for a longer period of time (weeks) and can't do anything and won't be able to resume his/her duties in a reasonable time frame, AIFS will assist with finding a replacement.

There is no warranty as to the satisfaction or the compatibility of any particular candidate as an Au Pair for a Host Family. However, AIFS will endeavour to resolve any difficulties regarding the placement. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for details about our replacement and cancellation policy.