We organise an English and Australian Demi-Pair Programme for students interested in:

• studying English in Australia,
• experiencing life in an Australian family,
• gaining experience with children as a demi-pair in an Australian family.

Au Pair: Au Pair is a program that places students with local Australian host families that seek help with childcare or household tasks. In exchange for working 12 hours per week with the family, a student receives accommodation and meals.

To be eligible for the au pair program students must:

• Be between 18 and 30 years old, in good health, mature and responsible
• Speak English at a minimum of Intermediate level
• Be able to show that they have some experience in childcare and household duties (such as cleaning, ironing and cooking)
• Provide references (An international driver’s licence, though not compulsory, would be an advantage)

Our au pair program aims to match au pair students and host families according to the requirements of both parties. The student is expected to participate as a member of the family and assist with the tasks as required. The host family ensures that the student has a private room, with a proper bed, a wardrobe, a study desk with a chair and appropriate lighting. Host families also provide three meals per day and the opportunity for the student to participate in their family events and social activities.

Demi Pair Australia Program

If you want to become a Demi Pair in Australia, please contact us!

Duties: You will be expected to assist with the housework and the children for 3 hours a day. You may be asked to wake the children up, help them to get dressed and give them their breakfast. You may be asked to bath the children, help them put on their pyjamas, give them their supper and put them to bed. You will be required to help with the housework eg, ironing, sweep and wash the kitchen floor, dust, vacuum, clean toilets and bathrooms, wash up after meals or load and unload the dishwasher, help with the laundry and keep your own room clean and tidy.

A common courtesy for Au-Pairs is to help with clearing up after the evening meal if eating with the family and this is not included in the three hours nor is baby-sitting.

Remember that life in your new country may seem a little different from home so do allow yourself time to become accustomed to it.

Be flexible, do not wait to be asked to do things – offer and enquire if there is anything you can do to help. Do be sure to make the most of your free time. (It not only gives you some time to be alone but it allows the family some privacy).

Always be polite and say “Please” and “Thank you”.

Always arrive home at a time acceptable to the host family.

Trustworthiness and Responsibility: These are of vital importance. Having children in your care requires you to be alert, level headed and use common sense so that you can assume control of different day to day situations.Never allow strangers into the home during the parent’s absence. Do not make long distance telephone calls without the permission of the family.

Length of Stay: Will depend on the duration of your language course. However most families will prefer a Demi-Pair to join their family for a minimum of 3-6 months. Remember it will take some time to settle into a family, and for each to become accustomed to one another.

Make you have experience with children: You may be left in sole charge of the children occasionally. This is a big worry to parents. They need to know that they can completely trust you. On your application form please indicate your full experience, for example whether it is caring for younger members of the family, baby-sitting or looking after a relative’s child. Please also state if you have been employed as a live in or live out nanny or mother’s help.

Hygiene: Families value personal hygiene very highly and its very important for each candidate to shower daily, use a deodorant and be neat, clean or tidy, not only in herself but also her private living quarters. You will be expected to be awake, showered and dressed each morning before the children are up. Hygiene with the children is equally important, caring enough to help them to brush their teeth, comb their hair, pick up after themselves and teaching them good grooming habits.

Remuneration: Some host families pay you and other don’t. You will be paid by your host family. (In real terms it costs the host family much more than the pocket money they give you ie. accommodation, food, electricity, etc). In return for that hospitality you are expected to carry out your duties with a smiling face.

Confidentiality: Please remember to keep the personal and business affairs of your host family confidential at all times.

Alcohol: You must never consume alcohol while you are in charge of the children. You must never return to the home under the influence of alcohol.

Drugs: Same guidelines as for alcohol. Failure to comply with the alcohol and drug guidelines will result in you being asked to leave.

Smoking: The majority of families require non smokers. You must be prepared to smoke only outside the host’s family.