FAMILY GUIDANCE

Pocket money guidelines

Use these ranges to shape a fair offer based on the hours, responsibilities and experience involved.

Pocket money should reflect the hours, responsibilities and experience involved, in addition to the family providing a private room, meals and agreed household facilities.

Basic role$250–$350Typical weekly range for up to 30 hours

Broader role$350–$400Guidance for a role of up to 35 hours

Premium au pairFrom $360Usually $360–$450 depending on the role

Basic au pair role

Minimum $250 per week for a role of no more than 30 hours. Most families offer $250–$350 per week.

Usually suitable for a Basic Au Pair or Au Pair Plus.
Usually four or five days per week, approximately five or six hours per day.
Childcare support such as school drop-offs and pick-ups, playtime and homework assistance.
Some babysitting and light household duties.
At least two full days of free time per week, with most weekends free.
For a Premium Au Pair, the recommended minimum is $360 per week.

Broader au pair role

Minimum $350 per week for a role of up to 35 hours; $400 is recommended.

Usually suitable for a Basic Au Pair or Au Pair Plus.
Often four or five days per week and well suited to full-time working parents.
May include childcare, school routines, homework help, meal preparation and occasional family cooking.
May suit families with three or more children.
Some babysitting and light household duties.
At least two full days of free time per week, with some weekends free.
For a Premium Au Pair, expect approximately $360–$450 per week.

Premium Au Pairs

For a Premium Au Pair’s additional qualifications and experience, we recommend a minimum of $360 per week.

Premium Au Pairs can be given greater responsibility where this is agreed.
They may suit busy families with four or more children.
They may assist with two or more children under five.
They may provide limited sole care for babies aged 12–24 months.
They generally have relevant teaching or early-childhood study, or prior employment in a formal childcare setting.

These are Perfect Au Pairs guidelines. The final arrangement should reflect the actual role and be agreed clearly before the placement begins.