An Au Pair is typically a young person from abroad, employed by a family (often referred to as a “Host Family” in the industry), to care for their children and help with light housework in return for a monetary allowance, room and board.

Not only does an Au Pair provide in-home, dedicated childcare, they also give families the convenience of help around the home. Other such Au Pair responsibilities can include:

• Preparing meals for your children

• Light housework around the home

• Helping your child/children take care of their belongings and tidy their room

• Taking your child to playgroups, school and other activities such as sport

• Washing and organising your child’s clothes throughout the working week.

Au Pair versus Nanny

The key differences between an Au Pair and Nanny are:

• An Au Pair is typically from overseas – often in New Zealand on a 12 month working holiday visa.

• An Au Pair is often younger (between 18 to 30 years old).

• An Au Pair is nearly always live-in. So they can do after-hours care as well- for example, babysitting.

• An Au Pair wage is typically only $150 to $200 net per week (plus room and board). This is much more affordable than a nanny.

Finding the perfect Au Pair

When reviewing Au Pair candidates, it is important that you carefully think about your requirements. Do you need someone who can drive? Do you want an Au Pair with experience caring for babies? Make sure that you clearly articulate your requirements to an Au Pair agency to help them recruit an Au Pair who will meet your needs and experience requirements.

What countries do Au Pairs come from?

Au Pairs can come from all over the world (Germany, Sweden, France, America, Canada, Brazil, Japan etc). Au Pairs usually enter New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa. Some countries don’t have a Working Holiday Visa scheme with New Zealand and sometimes there are limits around the number of visas issued for certain countries. Countries with the best Working Holiday Visa schemes include Germany, Sweden, France, USA, the United Kingdom and Canada – these countries are typically where most Au Pairs come from.

Remember, what makes a great Au Pair is a positive attitude, willingness to learn and love of children – not their country of origin.

Host Family requirements

An Au Pair must have a dedicated and separate bedroom as well as suitable access to a bathroom. Access to a computer, TV, books etc is preferable. An Au Pair must have at least three meals per day (free of charge) as well as uninhibited access to all food and typical household amenities. There must be sufficient space in your home to accommodate an Au Pair as a live-in employee.

An Au Pair who you select to join your family will be employed by you personally for the duration of the Placement Term (length of stay). As an employee, an Au Pair is entitled to all the benefits and rights that a normal employee enjoys under New Zealand law. For example, an Au Pair is entitled to annual holidays and public holidays as set out in the Holidays Act.

Au Pair requirements

Au Pair requirements typically include:

• The Au Pair must be between 18 – 30 years old (usually a condition of their visa/entry into New Zealand)

• Have a clean police record

• Have a valid driver’s license

• Meet New Zealand visa requirements (Working Holiday Visa or Student Visa)

• A reputable Au Pair agency should require a minimum level of childcare experience (especially for Au Pairs caring for children under 5 years of age).

How do I find an Au Pair?

The International Au Pair Association (IAPA) and New Zealand Au Pair Association both recommend that Host Families always use a reputable and local agency when looking for an Au Pair. The agency can arrange a written contract between the family and Au Pair, can validate references and offer a rematch policy if the initial Au Pair doesn’t work out.

The New Zealand Au Pair Association does not recommend the use of Internet matching services. Au Pairs and Host Families are warned to stay away from internet sites that offer a “quick” placement without doing the hard work (for example, appropriate reference checks, interviews and police/medical record checks).

Why use an Au Pair agency?

An Au Pair agency will not only recruit and screen/check Au Pair candidates, they should also provide ongoing support through the Au Pair placement term (length of stay). Be wary of Au Pair agencies that do not have a local presence and that cannot provide you and your Au Pair with ongoing support throughout the placement term. A reputable Au Pair agency should provide:

• Full screening process (including personal Au Pair and family interviews, reference checks, childcare experience, police and medical record checks)

• Organisation of flights, visas and insurance for your Au Pair

• An orientation course for the Au Pair when they arrive in New Zealand

• Professional contracts and employment agreements

• A guarantee or “re-match” policy – if the Au Pair should not be suitable

• Ongoing and local support – including activities, events, playgroups and mediation services

Au Pair wages and tax

Au Pair wages are typically between $180 to $220 net per week for up to 40 hours of work (excluding tax, room and board). Some Au Pair agencies also provide a Demi Au Pair option – where the Au Pair works only 10 to 20 hours per week and earns $60 to $120 net per week.

Au Pairs typically enter New Zealand on a working holiday visa or student visa. Anyone working in New Zealand on a working holiday visa or student visa enjoys the same benefits and rights under New Zealand Employment Law as any other employee in New Zealand.

Therefore, your Au Pair will become your employee and as such you must comply with all relevant New Zealand tax and employment legislation including (but not limited to):

• The Employment Relations Act

• The Holidays Act

• The Minimum Wage Act

• The Health and Safety in Employment Act

A reputable Au Pair agency should be able to provide you with tax advice, your employment obligations and even a payroll service. Remember that the whole Au Pair employment package is taxable (that includes the cash payment to the Au Pair as well as room and board). Income tax is not just paid on the cash component – it must also be paid on room and board as well.

If you have any questions about tax or your employment obligations – contact the Inland Revenue Department or the Department of Labour.

For further information: 
The New Zealand Au Pair Association