High quality, in-home childcare since 2005
Every year AIFS connects hundreds of Australian families with the highest quality, intercultural live-in childcare. Hosting an Au Pair is a life-changing cultural experience. AIFS Au Pairs will introduce your children to new cultures and languages - whether you are located in downtown Sydney or in regional Western Australia.
Our rigorous child protection screening standards give peace of mind to every family. Every AIFS Au Pair is police and medical checked, completes a thorough interview process, and provides at least two verifiable references. They must also attend orientation training at AIFS’ Sydney centre once they arrive in Australia. This orientation includes first aid and face-to-face learning sessions which cover a range of topics; from age-appropriate care to dealing with culture shock.
AIFS is designed to help Australian families of all shapes and sizes. From families in our larger cities and in the suburbs, through to regional areas and into the outback - we are truly Australian wide from coast to coast.
“Our Au Pairs have changed our lives. The stress of picks ups, homework and meals just disappeared from day one.”
– Amanda, Sydney
Our Mission
Leading cultural exchange opportunities since 1964
The American Institute of Foreign Study (AIFS) provides the highest quality educational and cultural exchange programs to enrich the lives of young people throughout the world. Since 1964 we have been the leading provider of such opportunities, helping more than 1.8 million young people increase their global understanding in our diverse world.
Our Values
Committed to care, respect and honesty
Our mission can only be achieved through exceptional support and care for our program participants to ensure their safety and wellbeing. We always provide honest, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment of program participants, our partners and employees, safeguarding teamwork and collaboration both within our organisation and with our partners.
Our Support
24/7 emergency support for Au Pairs and Host Families
When you choose AIFS, we provide comprehensive support, including our own unique after-hours Community Counsellor support. From the start of your application to the end of your placement, we will be there for you every step of the way. This is just one of the many reasons why so many families use AIFS as their Au Pair agency year upon year.
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Apply to become a Host Family
To start your journey to finding an Au Pair with AIFS, your first step is to start our online application form. We typically expect that this will take around 5-10 minutes to complete and will require you to accept our Terms and pay our Service Fee. After the application form is submitted, we’ll then ask you to share a Host Family letter to introduce your family, provide photos of your family and home, and submit a sample schedule so your prospective Au Pair knows what they can expect from your family.
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Let us find your perfect match
While we encourage you to browse ‘the Hub’, our online database, for your Au Pair, many families opt to use our free bespoke matching service, or use a mixture of both. Our matching service is perfect for busy families who may not have time to search for their Au Pair. Whichever you choose, you will have peace of mind that all AIFS Au Pairs have been rigorously checked, screened and verified before being accepted to our program.
Australia’s Leading Au Pair Agency
Why Choose AIFS?
50+ years’ experience in providing cultural exchange and educational opportunities to young people
An industry leader, setting the highest standards for service quality and support to ensure successful placements
A service delivered under AIFS Au Pair Child Protection Policy and Reporting Framework
Rigorous screening and verification of all AIFS Au Pairs to ensure the safety of your family is our number one priority
Bespoke matching service to ensure every Au Pair placement perfectly meets your family’s needs and requirements
24/7 comprehensive support to all families and Au Pairs, including access to our after-hours Community Counsellor
Trusted by families across Australia – AIFS is Australia’s largest Au Pair agency
We provide similar overseas opportunities to young Australians, continuing our mission to facilitate cultural exchanges
Need help with something?
Frequently Asked Questions
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01Who is AIFS?
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.
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02Does AIFS have a Child Protection policy?
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
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03What childcare experience do AIFS Au Pairs have?
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.
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04How much does an Au Pair cost?
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.
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05How long does it take to find an Au Pair?
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.
