An au pair’s duties/family help should be at least 60% childcare-related, with the remaining consisting of light housework chores.

Each family’s requirements will be different, please discuss your questions or special requirements with your agency representative.

This is a guide to what your au pair can be asked to do:

The YES list

• Taking to school/kinder/daycare/ activities
• Help with homework, play activities suggested /arranged by parents
• Baths/showers, dressing, bedtime preparation
• Care for a sick child at home, unless a child is very ill then a parent needs to take over
• Prepare snacks and meals for children but a parent needs to plan and provide for the meals ahead of time
• Tidy children’s bedrooms and play areas
• Grocery shopping and putting groceries away
• Vacuum own room and shared areas
• Clean own private bathroom or a light clean of a bathroom shared with children
• Pack/ unpack dishwasher, wiping down kitchen benches
• Hang and fold washing / laundry
• Mopping / cleaning up spills by children

The NO list

• Taking a sick child to the doctor or caring for a very ill child (eg gastro)
• Heavy cleaning of the kitchen (stoves, ovens, splashbacks, tiles)
• Gardening or cleaning outdoor areas
• Cleaning up after pets
• Cleaning bathrooms she doesn’t use
• Regular mopping of wet areas
• Dusting or window cleaning
• Cleaning the car, except leaving it clean / tidy after her personal use
• Planning or regularly cooking family meals

The MAYBE list if au pair is willing

• Prepare the family dinner occasionally, either a meal of her own choice, or from the family’s meal plan
• Feeding and walking pets
• Garden watering