Although the terms are often used interchangeably, au pairs and nannies are not the same. Here are five important differences.
1. Definition
An au pair is, by definition, a young person from overseas who joins an Australian family to care for their children, travelling on a legal one-year Working Holiday or student visa. Au pairs are live-in carers who usually commit to a six-month stay first, with the option to extend their time in Australia for up to three years. A nanny, by contrast, is anyone employed to care for a child — in their own home or the family's.
2. Working conditions and schedule
An au pair's working conditions are set by agencies or by a private agreement with the host family, so there are clear rules to follow. Au pairs can provide flexible cover — early mornings, evenings or weekends — and their schedule can change from week to week with enough notice. Nannies may work part-time, full-time or overtime, and usually prefer a consistent week-to-week routine.
3. Cost
The cost of hosting an au pair has two main parts: the fee paid to a platform like Premier Au Pair (or an agency) for program administration and support, and the weekly pocket money paid directly to the au pair. Factor in the extras too — utilities, food, and including your au pair in family outings. Nanny salaries vary widely, depending on hours, the number of children and where in Australia they work.
4. Childcare experience
Au pairs aren't professionally trained, but many have hundreds — even thousands — of hours of experience as babysitters, tutors, kindergarten assistants, camp counsellors and sports instructors. Some nannies are professionally trained and make it a long-term career; others nanny as a temporary way to earn while deciding on their next step.
5. Role in the family
An au pair isn't considered an employee but rather an extended member of the family. With a nanny, the relationship is more often an employee–employer one.