Getting Started

Your First Week as an Au Pair: A Survival Guide

Lena 28/6/2026 2 min. reading time

Au Pair in Australia or New Zealand: first week as an au pair, au pair tips, settling in as an au pair, au pair first day, au pair AustraliaAu pair arriving in Australia for her first week with a host family

The first seven days with your host family quietly shape your whole year. Get them right and the relationship tends to run smoothly until the day you fly home. Here is how to settle in and start on the right foot.

Day one is not a work day

Even if your host family forgets to say so, your first day is for arriving, not working. You will be jet-lagged and a little overwhelmed. Unpack a few things, share a meal with the family, and get an early night. There is plenty of time for the real routine to start tomorrow.

Sort the practical basics early

A few small tasks make everything else easier. In your first few days, try to:

  • Get a local SIM or mobile plan so you can call and use maps.
  • Open an Australian bank account and apply for a Tax File Number (TFN).
  • Learn the way to school, the shops and the nearest public transport.
  • Save key contacts — your host parents, a neighbour, and emergency numbers.
  • Ask where to find house keys, first-aid supplies and the car (if you will drive).

Agree the routine in the first days

Sit down with your host parents early and go through the weekly schedule together: your hours, the children's meal and nap times, school runs, activities and your days off. If anything is unclear, ask. It is far easier to clarify expectations now than to renegotiate them weeks in.

Focus on bonding with the kids

The children may be shy or, just as likely, bouncing off the walls with excitement. Either is normal. Get down to their level, learn their names for things, play, and follow their lead. Trust is built through everyday moments, not big gestures — and once the kids are comfortable, your job gets much easier.

Expect a little homesickness

Homesickness is completely normal in week one, even when everything is going well. Tell your host parents how you are feeling — most have hosted before and will understand. Stay in touch with home, but also say yes to local plans: the faster you build a life here, the sooner Australia starts to feel like home.

Communicate from the start

If something feels off — too many hours, an unclear task, a misunderstanding — raise it kindly and early. A quick, honest conversation in week one prevents small frustrations from turning into big ones. Your host family wants you to feel comfortable, so don't be afraid to speak up.

Be patient with yourself. Within a couple of weeks the routine will feel natural, the kids will adore you, and that first nervous day will already feel like a long time ago.

Frequently asked questions

Is my first day as an au pair a working day?

Usually not. Your first day is for arriving, unpacking and meeting the family. Most host families don't expect you to start childcare until you've had a chance to rest and settle in.

What should I sort out in my first week?

Get a local SIM, open a bank account and apply for a Tax File Number, learn the local routes to school and the shops, save emergency contacts, and go over the weekly routine with your host parents.

How do I deal with homesickness in the first week?

Know that it's normal, even when things are going well. Talk to your host family, keep in touch with home, and say yes to local plans and meeting other au pairs — building a life here is the best cure.

What if the routine or my hours aren't clear?

Ask early. Sit down with your host parents in the first few days and go through hours, tasks and days off together. Clarifying expectations now is much easier than renegotiating later.