Aupair in Victoria

An Aupair is a young person from a foreign country who comes to Australia to live with a host family and take care of their children. The Aupair provides help with household duties and childcare in exchange for a place to live, meals, and a small allowance. The term Aupair comes from the French word “on par,” which means “equal to.” The idea is that the Aupair becomes a member of the host family, with duties and responsibilities that are shared.

Who Can Become an Aupair in Victoria, Australia?

There are two main categories of people who can become Aupairs in Australia: Working Holiday Visa Holders and International Students. In some cases, locals can also become Aupairs. However, there are certain restrictions on who can become an Aupair, and not everyone is eligible.

According to the Fair Work definition of an Aupair, they must be:

Aged between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive)
A foreign national who is coming to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa or a Student Visa
Able to speak functional English
Expected to live with their host family and provide up to 30 hours of child-related work per week, in exchange for accommodation and pocket money
Not be related to the host family
Not be a permanent resident or citizen of Australia (exceptions may apply: See GYMPY)
CAPAA’s definition of an Aupair is similar but also includes the requirement that the Aupair is not an employee. In other words, they must not be performing work that would normally be performed by an employee. This is an important distinction, as it ensures that Aupairs are not exploited or treated unfairly.

Typical Duties of an Aupair

The duties of an Aupair can vary depending on the needs of the host family, but typically include tasks such as:

Getting children ready for school or daycare
Preparing meals for children
Doing laundry and light housework
Driving children to activities or appointments
Helping children with homework
Playing with children and engaging them in activities
Supervising children while parents are out
Generally being a positive role model and companion for children
Risks of Not Using a Reputable Agency

While there are many benefits to hosting an Aupair, there are also risks involved. These risks can be minimized by using a reputable agency that is a member of CAPAA, such as 99aupairs.

Some of the risks host families face when not using a reputable agency include:

The possibility of hiring an unqualified or unsuitable Aupair
Not having access to support and advice if problems arise
Not being aware of legal requirements and obligations
Potentially exposing themselves to liability if something goes wrong.

Samantha Azzopardi: A Cautionary Tale

The case of Samantha Azzopardi, who posed as an Aupair in Australia and was found to have a history of pretending to be a victim of abuse or neglect, highlights the importance of using a reputable agency when hiring an Aupair. While cases like this are rare, they do occur, and it is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family.

In addition to the Samantha Azzopardi case, there have been other horror stories involving host families who chose to search for Aupairs themselves. These stories include instances of Aupairs mistreating children or stealing from their host families.

Why Choose 99aupairs?

99aupairs is Australia’s best rated agency for Aupairs. They are a member of CAPAA, which means they adhere to strict ethical standards and guidelines. 99aupairs offers a range of services to host families.

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