FAQs

Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old and eligible for the appropriate Australian visa. 

You need at least 200 hours of referenced childcare experience. Your experience can come from several roles and does not have to be from one employer. 

Experience may include babysitting, daycare, school or nursery work, camps, coaching, tutoring, children’s nursing and previous nanny or au pair work. Care for family members is valuable but does not currently count toward the required 200 referenced hours. 

Many host families need an au pair who can drive. A valid license may significantly increase your placement options. Driving requirements should be discussed before you accept a placement. 

[CONFIRM current program policy and rewrite accordingly.] 

The appropriate visa depends on your citizenship. U.S. and Canadian applicants should review the relevant Australian government Work and Holiday or Working Holiday visa requirements. AIFS can provide general guidance but cannot issue or guarantee a visa. 

In addition to the AIFS program fee, plan for your visa, flights, police check, medical documentation, Working With Children Check, insurance, vaccinations if required and personal spending money. 

No. You are responsible for booking and paying for your flights to and from Australia. 

[CONFIRM whether insurance is included, arranged separately or entirely the participant’s responsibility.] 

You can share location preferences, but a particular city or region cannot be guaranteed. Restricting your location may also increase the time needed to find a placement. 

Yes. You should speak directly with prospective host families and ask about the children, duties, schedule, location, driving expectations and household routine before accepting a placement. 

AIFS reviews participating host families before they are accepted into the program. Add the approved screening detail here once confirmed with the Australia team. 

Yes. Your host family provides a private room and full board for the duration of your placement. 

Au pairs provide up to 35 hours of childcare per week. Your specific schedule should be agreed upon with your host family. 

Your primary responsibility is childcare. Duties may include school routines, activities, simple meals, children’s laundry and tidying their spaces. You may assist with light household tasks related to the children, but you should not be responsible for general heavy housework. 

Weekly pocket money is based on your experience level and hours. Current ranges are AUD $295–$330 for Classic and Plus placements and AUD $350–$385 for Platinum placements. [CONFIRM before launch.] 

You will receive at least 1.5 days off each week. Your host-family agreement should also explain any additional leave or completion benefit. 

Applications are accepted year-round. Applying four to six months before your preferred departure gives you more time to complete your documents, meet families, arrange your visa and book travel. 

Expect to provide childcare references, personal references, identification, background-check documentation, medical information, photos, a video introduction and other documents required for the program or visa. 

Timing varies based on your experience, preferences, availability, application quality and host-family needs. Being flexible about location and timing may increase your options. 

You will have access to a local Community Counsellor, AIFS resources and 24/7 emergency support during your placement. 

Contact AIFS promptly. A Community Counsellor will help you and your host family address the concern. If AIFS determines that the placement cannot continue, the team will explain the available next steps under the program terms. 

You will have regular time off and may be able to travel during agreed vacation periods. Travel plans should be coordinated with your host family and must comply with your visa and placement responsibilities. 

This may be possible depending on your visa. Eligible participants may also be able to transfer to AIFS Work & Travel Australia after completing their placement. [CONFIRM eligibility and what the free transfer includes.]