The most popular au pair visa in Australia are Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) programs. These Australian visa programs are available for passport holders of certain countries.

To be an au pair in Australia under Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) nanny must be a holder of a passport of one of these countries: 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 United Kingdom. This visa is not capped.

Passport holders of the following countries might be eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday visa: Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay. Please note Work and Holiday visas for these countries are capped (except USA) and sometimes it is very hard to secure this kind of visa as allocation is exhausted very quickly (new countries are being added all the time – check the current list on the department’s website).

The Working Holiday visa allows nannies to stay in Australia for up to 12 months, but she or he may only stay with one employer (yes – host is considered as an employer) for up to 6 months.

The idea of a Working Holiday visa program is to allow people between 18-30 years of age (at the time of application) to have a holiday in Australia, which is supplemented by employment. There are some requirements and conditions visa applicants must meet in order to be granted a visa.

Some of Working Holiday au pair visa in Australia mandatory criteria for a visa grant:

• An au pair in Australia must be 18-30 at the time of application
• Nanny must be outside Australia while applying for a visa and when a visa is granted
• Can’t be in Australia previously on a Working Holiday (417) visa
• Can’t be in Australia previously on a Work and Holiday (462) visa
• Can’t be accompanied by dependent children during a stay in Australia
• Have sufficient funds

Student Visa as nanny visa in Australia

The other option broadly explored as a nanny visa in Australia is a Student Visa. Overseas students in Australia are entitled to work 20 hours per week during each semester and full time during holidays and breaks. The 20 hours may seem to be not satisfactory for some hosts but keep in mind there are a lot of holidays when students can work full-time. Please also remember student visa holders must go to school otherwise, their visa may be canceled.

Although it’s not an ideal option, pros are:

• all nationalities could participate in this program as Student Visas are available for every country
• there is also no half-year limit, so as long as nanny’s student visa is valid, she or he can look after the host family’s children.

To be eligible for a student visa au pair, one must be enrolled in a course listed on CRICOS site and have enough funds to live in Australia for a duration of a course. There is no age requirement.

Tourist visa as nanny visa Australia

A tourist visa is granted by the Department of Immigration for tourism purposes only. Work is not allowed for tourist visa holders. Keeping in mind that babysitting is work and it is essentially illegal to be an au pair or a nanny as a tourist visa holder.

Au Pair in Australia General Information

• An au pair in Australia is paid usually between AUD$150.00 – $250.00 per week
• An au pair in Australia is working 35-40 hours a week (this may include 2 nights of babysitting) (If a nanny is in Australia on a student visa, they can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week – it is a condition of a student visa)
• An au pair in Australia usually gets 2 days off per week, but this may vary from family to family
• A host must provide an au pair in Australia a separate bedroom and 3 meals per day
• The cost of the return airfare and visa is paid usually by nanny
• Nanny’s ability to speak basic English is advised but not essential
• As an au pair in Australia, job duties can differ from family to family. Some families require only childcare, but most families will require childcare and also a combination of housework, pet care, driving duties, shopping and so on. Make sure to clarify your job duties with your family and have it in writing in your contract.
• You might be able to drive as a nanny in Australia if you have a driver’s license. If an au pair is requested to drive the car as part of their duties, the host family will have to provide relevant insurance for that vehicle. Discuss with your host what happens if you have an accident, and have your agreements in the contract
• Citizens of New Zealand can work as an au pair in Australia without restriction, as long as they meet certain requirements.