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In Australia, there is no official au pair programme, and the exact number of working hours should be stated clearly in the contract. Au pairing is considered a cultural exchange programme, and au pairs are not paid a minimum wage in Australia. However, since au pairs receive the minimum wage, costs for room and board are to be deducted from the total gross amount of pocket money. The recommended hourly wage is 7 AUD, which equates to 245 AUD per week for 35 hours.
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What You'll Learn
Au pair status as an employee
The status of an au pair as an employee in Australia is somewhat ambiguous. Au pairing is primarily considered a cultural exchange, and in most countries, au pairs do not have the legal status of employees but are instead seen as temporary family members who receive "pocket money" instead of a salary.
In Australia, there is no official au pair programme, and the government does not recognise it as an exchange programme. As such, au pairs in Australia are advised to follow the rules as standard employees, meaning tax will be withheld from their pay, and they will need to lodge a tax return each year. However, most au pairs are considered exempt under Fair Work rules and do not pay tax on their income as au pairs. If they take on additional work, they will need to pay a 15% tax on the first dollar.
The Fair Work Ombudsman states that whether an au pair is considered an employee depends on the individual relationship between the au pair and the host family. Au pairs in Australia typically work between 25 and 40 hours per week, and the recommended hourly wage is AUD 7, which equates to between AUD 175 and AUD 245 per week. However, as there is no official contract, the exact number of working hours and pay should be stated clearly in a contract agreed upon between the au pair and the host family.
Au pairs in Australia are advised to get health insurance before their arrival, as temporary employees under working holiday visas are not entitled to benefits such as Medicare.
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Recommended hourly wage
In Australia, there is no official au pair programme, and the government does not officially recognise the au pair programme as an exchange programme. Therefore, au pairs are generally considered standard employees and are subject to taxation. However, their employment status depends on the relationship with the host family. As such, there is no official minimum wage for au pairs in Australia, and they are often paid in the form of ""pocket money" alongside free accommodation and meals.
The recommended hourly wage for au pairs in Australia is AUD 7. This equates to approximately AUD 175 per week for 25 hours or AUD 245 per week for 35 hours. This can also be calculated as AUD 790 or AUD 1,100 per month, respectively. Au pairs typically work between 25 and 40 hours per week, including babysitting hours.
It is important to note that the cost of room and board is usually deducted from the total gross amount of pocket money received by the au pair. Additionally, au pairs are advised to obtain health insurance before arriving in Australia, as medical treatment and insurance policies tend to be more expensive in the country.
While au pairs in Australia may not receive a formal minimum wage, they benefit from free accommodation and meals, which can amount to significant savings. This, coupled with the recommended hourly wage, can provide au pairs with a decent income and a valuable cultural exchange experience.
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Room and board costs
In Australia, there is no official Au Pair program, and the exact number of working hours should be stated in the contract. The number of working hours may vary between 10 and 40 hours per week, but it is usually around 25 to 35 hours. Babysitting hours are included in this time. Au pairs in Australia are often legally considered employees. Australian employment law includes certain minimum standards for all employees, and it is recommended that au pairs be paid at least the minimum wage.
Au pairs in Australia receive meals with the host family as room and board costs are deducted from their pocket money. The Fair Work Ombudsman states that whether an au pair is an employee depends on the relationship between the au pair and the host family. There is no official au pair contract in Australia, but a contract should be established between the au pair and the host family, specifying the duties, working hours, holiday time, and other arrangements.
The cost of room and board for an au pair in Australia can vary depending on the location and the specific arrangements made with the host family. The recommended hourly wage for an au pair in Australia is 7 AUD, which equates to 175 AUD per week for 25 hours or 245 AUD for 35 hours. This means that the room and board costs covered by this wage can range from 175 to 245 AUD per week.
Some sources suggest that the room and board costs for an au pair in Australia can be higher. One source mentions that the minimum wage in Australia is 880 AUD per week, and the cost of a room in a share house plus food can be around 530 AUD per week. Another source mentions that the average cost of renting a room in Australia is 180 AUD per week. However, it is important to note that the room and board costs for an au pair may be lower if they are provided with meals and accommodations by the host family.
Overall, the room and board costs for an au pair in Australia can vary depending on the specific arrangements and agreements made between the au pair and the host family. It is important for both parties to discuss and establish clear terms in a contract to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial arrangement.
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Contractual working hours
In Australia, there is no official au pair programme, and there are no formal government regulations regarding au pair arrangements. Au pairing is considered a cultural exchange programme, and au pairs are seen as temporary family members who receive "pocket money" instead of a salary.
Since there are no official rules, the number of working hours should be stated clearly in the contract. The number of working hours may vary between 10 and 40 hours per week, but it is usually around 25 to 35 hours, including babysitting hours. Au pairs should have at least one day off per week, and this should be a Sunday once per month. The recommended holiday time is two weeks per six months of stay.
According to the National Employment Standards, au pairs should not work more than 38 hours a week, with additional hours only if they are reasonable. However, this may not be an official regulation, and the exact number of working hours depends on the contract between the au pair and the host family.
Au pairs in Australia are advised to get health insurance before their arrival, as medical treatment and insurance policies are more expensive in the country. Temporary employees under the working holiday visa, such as au pairs, are not entitled to certain benefits, such as Medicare and Superannuation.
While there is no fixed minimum wage for au pairs in Australia, the recommended hourly wage is AUD 7, which amounts to AUD 175 per week for 25 hours, or AUD 245 per week for 35 hours. As au pairs are considered standard employees, tax will be withheld from their pay, and they are obligated to file a tax return each year.
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Holiday time
Au pairs in Australia are entitled to paid holiday leave, which is typically accrued over time. The Fair Work Ombudsman recommends that au pairs receive at least four weeks of annual leave per year, which can be pro-rated if they work part-time hours. This leave should be paid at the au pair's regular hourly rate and can be taken at a time agreed upon between the au pair and their host family.
It's important to note that au pairs are not considered self-employed and should be treated as employees of the host family. As such, they are entitled to the same employment benefits as other workers in Australia, including paid holiday leave.
When it comes to public holidays, au pairs are generally entitled to take these days off and receive public holiday pay. If they are required to work on a public holiday, they should be compensated with additional rates, as outlined in the relevant Modern Award or National Employment Standards.
Au pairs and their host families should discuss and agree upon the details of holiday leave, including the timing and duration of holidays, in advance. This can help ensure that everyone's expectations are clear and that the time off can be enjoyed without any misunderstandings or conflicts.
In addition to paid holiday leave, au pairs may also be entitled to other benefits, such as sick leave and long service leave, depending on their specific employment arrangement and the laws in the state or territory where they work. It is important for both au pairs and host families to understand their rights and responsibilities regarding leave entitlements and to ensure that their agreements are fair and compliant with Australian employment laws.
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Frequently asked questions
No, as au pairing is considered a cultural exchange program, au pairs in Australia are not paid a minimum wage. They receive pocket money, free board and lodging in the family home.
The recommended hourly wage is 7 AUD, which amounts to 175 AUD per week for 25 hours or 245 AUD for 35 hours.
Au pairs in Australia work between 25 and 40 hours a week, including babysitting hours.
Most au pairs are exempt from paying tax under Fair Work rules. However, if they take on additional work outside of their placement, they will need to pay 15% tax on the first dollar.
