Search for live-in help

Rachel Browne
August 12, 2008
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Almost unheard of a decade ago, au pairs are increasingly popular among families unable to find child care or put off by the fees of up to $100 a day. Australian au pair agencies say demand has grown so much they are struggling to find enough carers to fill places.

Au pairs - generally young European women on working holidays - live with their host family and provide 30-40 hours of child care a week for about $200 and full board.

Pien Frissel, of Au Pairs Australia, estimates there are now thousands of au pairs working in Australia, up substantially from a decade ago.

"Over the past five or 10 years, au pairing has gained momentum," she said. "It's been around in Europe for a long time but it's relatively new to Australia. I still have families calling up saying, 'I have never heard about this.' Most times of the year, we have a shortage of au pairs."

Wendi Aylward, managing director of AIFS Au Pairs Australia, said: "There are many areas in Australia where there are shortages of child care.

"Rural areas and the outback are particularly badly affected. Families are looking at alternatives. If they can't find a child-care placement, this is a very good option."

She said many families were drawn to the flexibility afforded by an au pair as opposed to a child-care centre, most of which operate only from 8am-6pm.

"Families are very busy," she said.

"Having an au pair in the house and being able to call up and say, 'I'm in a meeting, I'm running late,' without worrying that the child-care centre is going to close or a nanny has to finish work makes life less stressful for parents."

Gerry Leavy, of Family Match Australia, said the baby bonus and growing birth rate had contributed to the demand for au pairs. He said au pairs were popular in families where both parents were working as they also do light domestic duties.

"It takes a lot of the pressure off families," he said.

"Despite everything we hear about house dads and men doing more around the house, I don't think it's a role that sits easily with a lot of men. Continued...