Frequently Asked Questions

No. Firstly, we believe that trust and honesty are very important values, in our business and the wider community.

Secondly, from conception, users have enjoyed our platform and rewarded us with interesting and convincing profiles.

Our promise - You will only connect with genuine and legitimite profiles on Premier Au Pair.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

For applicants from Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

For applicants from Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and the USA.

If you want to be an Au Pair in Australia you will need to qualify for a visa from the two above categories. If you do not hold a passport from one of the countries listed please do not register on Premier Au Pair. This is so Host Families and Au Pair's alike are not wasting time on conversations and interviews that will not lead to a placement. 

Premier Au Pair and Host Families cannot assist in visa applications nor sponsor potential Au Pair's from countries not listed above. 

If you create an account and are dishonest about your visa eligibility you will be removed from Premier Au Pair. 

Our lists are updated on a regular basis to reflect new nationalities able to obtain the above working holiday visa. 

You can also keep up to date on these changes at www.immi.gov.au

As an Au Pair, you are taking part in a cultural exchange program. You are generally expected to assist with 25-35 hours of childcare and household duties. Household duties are limited to light cleaning or errands for the family. 

Every family is different and so are their needs. You should openly discuss the number of hours and duties you are comfortable with before agreeing to a placement. 

Au Pair's are expected to pay for their own flight to the host family unless specifically agreed to otherwise. 
If you are moving to a regional location it is common that the host family will contribute to the cost of this flight from a major capital city. The host family is responsible for collecting you from the airport or train station. Alternatively, they can arrange collection with a family member or friend. 

Hot tip! Double-check your luggage allowance. Excess luggage may cost as much as your ticket!

If you have a full, clean driving license you should be permitted to drive in Australia. 
We recommend that you apply for an International Driving Permit well before arriving in Australia. 

If the family needs you to drive their vehicle, they will arrange appropriate insurance for the car you will be driving. We also ask them to assess your driving ability prior to driving alone and with children. If they decide that you need more practice they will provide you with lessons via a driving school or with a confident adult driver. 

Prior to arriving in Australia, you should do some research about driving in Australia. For example, for most Au Pair's you will be driving on the opposite side of the road and the steering wheel will be on the right! Brush up on English terminology regarding parts of the car and the road rules. 

Never drive if you are not feeling confident. Communicate this clearly with your host family.

Yes! You will require travel insurance that covers you for medical, reparation, and liability. 

There are several ways of improving your profile. Putting any experience regarding children shows that you are invested in the Au Pair program and are a genuine candidate. You should focus on why you want to be an Au Pair and have chosen to travel to Australia. 

Honesty is also important. You do not need to be the best at everything and putting down information that is exaggerated will only lead to disappointment. This goes both ways - we want honesty from host families too!

Have you lived abroad before? This shows that you are already independent and capable - two traits that host families are looking for. 

Other extras that will make you stand out include the following:

• First Aid Training
• Life Guard qualifications
• Approved Language Examinations 
• Volunteer work
• Creative projects you have worked on
• School and University achievements you have earned

Please speak to your host family if you would like to earn more. They may be able to help you.

• • • Babysitting

Your host family may be able to recommend you to their friends for babysitting. That way you will come recommended and you know you will be safe.

• • • Dog Walking

If you like fresh air and keeping fit, why not help a busy dog owner by walking their dog(s). It saves you money on gym membership and you meet new people in the park too!

• • • Tutoring

Your host family may be able to recommend you to their friends for (language) tutoring or help with homework. It is sometimes nice to gain additional experience from working with children of a different age group than the host family’s children.

Preferably, Yes!
As part of the cultural exchange, you will be expected to share meals with your host family. It is also a good chance to teach your host children good manners and introduce meals from your own country

However, your free time is also your free time. You might like to join friends for a meal or sometimes eat at a later time in the day. 

No, you have to pay for your own products. 

Basic home essentials will be provided by the host family such as toilet paper, linen, hand wash, and laundry detergent. 

No, as long as you are going as their Au Pair, your host family is responsible for excursions, travel costs, and meals. However, if you have a day off during this trip/holiday, and you decide to do some sightseeing by yourself and have lunch/dinner on your own, you will be in charge of your own expenses.

Yes. Your host family has agreed to welcome you and accommodate you for a certain period of time. Therefore, they cannot ask you to leave when they want or have to go somewhere.

The Australian Government requires all working holidaymakers to prove they have at least $5000 AUD before they travel to Australia. This is a condition of your visa being approved.

We can’t provide an exact amount of how much you should save. Budget according to how much you would like to travel and how many different activities you would like to do whilst you are an au pair.

How much time are you spending abroad? Are you taking language courses? Do you want to participate in extra activities?

Generally speaking, $5000 AUD saved can get you quite far during your year, if you budget wisely. But, it really depends on the type of person you are and what you do! 

Au Pairs travel to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa.

One of the conditions of this visa is that the employee can only work in one workplace for 6 months or less.

Au Pairs have a special exemption and can easily apply to extend. All they need to do is fill out a form on the Immigration website and provide proof that they are indeed an Au Pair. 

A demi-pair can help with childcare up to 15-20 hours per week usually to fit around their student schedules or primary casual job. School holiday care hours can be longer if agreed.

The demi-pair program contains the same duties as the Au Pair program, with fewer weekly hours. Pocket money is between $100-$150 a week depending on hours and experience. 

Host family obligations are the same as the Au Pair program in regards to board and utilities. 

Every family is different and that includes their housing situation. 

At a minimum, you will need to have a bedroom that is just for you. Your bedroom should contain a bed, somewhere to put your clothes and a desk. 

You will either get your own private bathroom or you will have to share with the family. 

Most Host Families will make your space welcoming and comfortable. We hope that you feel at home!

It is very important that you do your due diligence before you agree to join a host family through Premier Au Pair. 

We attempt to make sure that every Host Family is genuine and using Premier Au Pair for the right reasons. However, from time to time scammers or people with the wrong intentions will slip past. If you ever communicate with a Host Family that does not feel/ sound quite right please report their profile. 

You should be performing certain checks on your potential Host Family. 

These include:

• Connecting with their social media accounts and confirming that they have a long history and that their photos match certain details they have told you
• Check out the comments section on their photos. If you see lots of friendly and personal messages that is a good sign.
• Check their friends' list. If you see friends with the same last name that is also a good sign
• Ask to speak with former Au Pair's who have been part of their family
• Request a video chat and to have a walkthrough of the house and garden
• Have regular video/ voice calls with the Host Parents and children
• Ask for a National Police Clearance for all the adults living in the home - You have the right to request this

Trust your gut! If it doesn't feel right, move on! There are plenty of Host Families looking for a great candidate like you.

We have Host Families registering every day! So you can hop on a plane and go to Australia whenever you like! Just choose a month you’d like to be in Australia by and start communicating with Host Families!

We have host families all over Australia! Many in popular places like the major cities, but also in rural and outback Australia! 

Maybe you have a dream to live near the beach or on an island? The sky is really the limit!