Au Pair Down Under: Frequently Asked Questions

Au pair or Work & Travel in Down Under?
Where do host families live?
How do I acquire the necessary visa?
How long does the application process take?
What do I do when I have a problem?
Can I change families if we don’t get along?

1. Au pair or Work & Travel in Down Under?

   The biggest difference between the two programmes is that you know what to expect when you are an au pair.  You get to decide on your host family before your departure, so you know exactly where you will be staying and who your employer is. Also, you already know the exact conditions under which you will be working – i.e. amount of work hours and payment – since these are set down in a contract before you depart for Australia or New Zealand.  Usually, a Work & Travel programme does not allow you to choose your employer before departure, and you have to find a work position on your own after arriving abroad.  Being an au pair will help you avoid that. If you love children and enjoy family life, being an au pair offers you the greatest amount of security as well as an ideal stay in Australia or New Zealand.
   
   

2. Where do host families live?

   In Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and surrounding areas
   In New Zealand: Auckland and all of the Northern Island
   
   

3. How do I acquire the necessary visa?

   
   Australia
   When we have received confirmation from our partner organisation that you have been accepted into the programme, you can then apply for your Working Holiday visa.  We will send you all of the information you need in order to fill out the visa application. You can already get informed about the visa by visiting Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
   Visa fee: AUS $195  (approx. GBP100) 
   
   New Zealand
   When we have received confirmation from our partner organisation that you have been accepted into the programme, you can then apply for your Working Holiday visa. We will send you all of the information you need in order to fill out the visa application. You can get informed about the visa by visiting the New Zealand immigration website.
   You will need to show proof that you possess at least NZ $4,200 in order to verify that you have the means to support yourself. You can attain this financial statement from your bank in the UK, Ireland or New Zealand in the form of a bank statement from an account opened in your name. For further information please see the New Zealand website above.
   Visa fee: approx. GBP50.00
   
   

4. How long does the application process take?

   This depends a bit on you: if you fill out our pre-application today, we can immediately see if you fulfil the programme requirements such as age, experience in childcare, driving licence, and health. We will then send you the complete application forms. These include a medical health record, a request for a current police record, and forms for your references. There will also be some questions regarding your interests and personality. You will write a letter to your host family and put together a nicely decorated two-page photo collage. The letter and collage are especially important for your application, as they provide you with the opportunity to show your host family how creative you are. Remember though, it is best to only include pictures of you with children, your family and friends. Pictures of you and your boyfriend or of you in a bikini at the beach are not appropriate! If you are able to gather these materials quickly, it should only take you about 1-2 weeks to complete the application. We will then interview you after receiving your forms. After that, we send your application to our partner organisation, and the search for a host family begins. Please remember that you need a valid passport in order to travel to either of the two countries. We generally advise that you apply for the programme approximately 2-6 months before your desired departure date.
   
   

5. What do I do when I have a problem?

   It is perfectly normal that at the beginning of an au pair stay there are a few challenges. Everything is new: food, family life, family rules, childrearing practices, cultural differences, your chores, the need to find friends, etc. This period of adjustment is all part of the experience. The best thing for you to do is to give yourself some time and remain patient. We have had the experience again and again that nearly all au pairs are very enthusiastic about their time abroad when they reflect on it. Your community representative and fellow au pairs in the area understand your situation and are there for you. Just talk with them and your host family when you feel a bit homesick. Everyone knows that feeling and will be happy to lend you an ear!
   
   

6. Can I change families if we don’t get along?

   Yes. Luckily it does not happen often, but occasionally when people live in such close proximity of one another, which of course is the case in a family, there can be a conflict. But it is important not to give up straight away. Think about the fact that it takes a couple of months in order to adjust to the new situation, and pretty soon you will see the whole situation in an entirely new light. No family, be it in Australia or New Zealand, will be able to duplicate your family life at home. Talk with your host family and your community representative and try to find a common solution on which all parties can agree. If you come to the conclusion that it simply cannot work out, our local partner organisation will try to find a new host family for you. The host family might live in another city from yours, but this can offer you the opportunity to have a completely fresh start.