Au Pair Australia

Demi Pair - Au Pair Australia

English and Au Pair Programme
We organise an English and Au-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.

Students interested in this programme will:
1. Have a minimum age of 18 years.
2. Have a minimum English language proficiency level of intermediate.
3. Enrol in a full-time Intensive English language course.
4. Be placed in an Australian family life as a demi-pair.
5. Fulfil demi-pair obligations with the family of 20 hours per week (Programme A) or 14 hours per week (Programme B).
6. Experience and gain insight and understanding of Australian culture.
7. Improve English language familiarity and proficiency.

Programme Length
Minimum 3 months.
(preferred programme length is 6 to 12 months)

Programme Commencement
As per course schedule every 4 weeks.

Cost Demi-Pair Placement Fee (includes cost of airport transfer)
(Please refer to Schedule of Course Dates and Fees)

As per course schedule
(There is no additional fee for this course. Students will pay the normal course fees plus the charge for homestay placement).

Guidelines for Demi-Pairs
This is intended as a guide only. Exact hours, pocket money and time off should be discussed between the student and the family.

Programme A
Working Hours: 20 hours per week (to fit college timetable) 6 days per week
Baby-sitting if required 1 or 2 evenings per week
Payment: $65.00 per week plus full board.

Programme B
Working Hours: 14 hours per week (to fit with college timetable)
Baby-sitting as required 1 or 2 evenings per week
Payment: full board only
Baby Sitting: As detailed in Programme A and Programme B

Board and Lodgings:
Own room, own bathroom or share with the family. Live as one of the family including eating together.

Free time:
One full day with evening usually Sunday and half a day off on Saturday. Every evening when not required to baby-sit. You are also free at the times of the day when you must attend College.

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.

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:
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.

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.

Preparing Your Application

• Take extra time and effort in preparing your dossier.
• Read your application forms through before beginning your responses. Think carefully about how you answer the questions. The best way to answer is "honestly" and "sincerely". Don't say Yes to anything that you cannot do. Complete your application yourself. Remember you will have to back up good intentions with deeds and performance. Write your name on the back of all the photographs submitted.
• Complete your dossier in BLACK BIRO.

On signing the registration form you may not change families without the permission of the agency. If you do so you will be in breach of your contract.

AA accepts no responsibility for any claim arising from an introduction to a family.

Information about travelling and working in Australia: