Little girls chalking at the asphalt with elder sister or nanny. Sisters friendship. Best friends children happy family. Drawing with color chalk. Happy childhood. Kids in kindergarten. Preschooler leisure time. Kids spending time without parents. Childre

Nanny/Governess/In-home Educator

  • Experienced in working with children
  • Holds a working with children check
  • Holds accredited First Aid and CPR training
  • Independent and uses own initiative
  • Often holds relevant qualifications
  • Can provide long term continuity for child
  • Knowledgable in facilitating age and developmentally appropriate activities
  • Knows Australian customs e.g Child safety/methods
  • Is employed (part-time, full-time, or casual) by the family/agency, or runs their own business as a sole trader
  • Can take responsibility for full care of the children and the children’s belongings as needed
  • Communicates with other care providers such as School or Kindergarten
  • Can meet with family for interview prior to commencement and undertake a trial
  • Can be left in sole charge care of children of all ages
  • May already know the local area and be connected to locations and activities to visit with the children
  • May be an experienced driver and may own their own car
  • Can be live in or out
  • Role falls under the Miscellaneous Award and must meet or exceed its minimum standards
  • Hours vary from as little as 4hrs to as many as 60 hours per week.

Au Pair

  • Has travelled to Australia from another country and usually holds a limited work visa
  • Typically unqualified
  • May not have First Aid/CPR training
  • Must get a working with children check
  • May have basic child care knowledge, but generally requires training from the family to do the job
  • Police/background check from home country (can be difficult to obtain authentic background information)
  • Receives pocket money, room, and board in exchange for home support
  • Typically limited to 12 months with a family, due to visa restrictions
  • May encounter language barriers but may often speak another language fluently
  • Typically does not know Australian customs, though may share their customs with the family
  • Not used to driving in Australia
  • May only have opportunity for phone/video interview prior to commencement
  • Suited to working as a mother’s help (Not recommended to be left unsupervised especially with children under the age of 2 years)
  • Family needs to work around au pair studies and/or travels and other activities
  • Hours vary from 4 hours to a maximum of 30 hours per week so the au pair can still participate in cultural activities or study
  • Generally live in

(Please note this is a general overview of nannies and au pairs. Individual circumstances will vary from person to person.)