What is an Au Pair
and How Does it Work?
As a host family, you can welcome a young person from another country into your home to help care for your children. In exchange for their support with daily childcare tasks and light housework, you’ll provide them with accommodation, meals, and a weekly allowance.
It’s a mutual exchange: host families gain flexible and reliable childcare support, while the au pair has the chance to explore a new culture in a different country.
AuPairings is free for families.
Sign up today and find an au pair who's the perfect fit for your family's lifestyle!
Easy to use
Affordable & Accessible
Smart Introduction Technology
100's of profiles
Diverse & Extensive Network
Personal Support
How to find a Host Family?
1. Register with AuPairings
Complete the registration form to join the global host family network and confirm your email address. Finding suitable au pair agencies through AuPairings is free for host families.
2. Build Your Family Profile
Create your profile with information about your family, children, location, expectations, preferred start date, and support needs. Add photos to help suitable agencies understand your family better.
3. Activate Your Profile
Activate your profile to become visible to au pair agencies around the world. Interested agencies can contact you about suitable placement support, so remember to check your messages and emails regularly. You can deactivate your profile at any time.
4. Don’t Just Wait — Explore More Options
Looking for an au pair in Europe or Australia? Join EuPairing or AusPairing for a more cost-effective option and directly connect with au pairs searching for host families — without agency placement fees.
5. Find the Right Au Pair and Agree on the Placement
Find your au pair through a suitable agency or independent. Once you have found the right match, agree on expectations, conditions, responsibilities, and any required contract before the placement begins.
Find the Path That Fits Your Family
Every family is different. Some prefer professional agency support, while others want a more independent and cost-effective way to find an au pair.
Connect with Au Pair Agencies
Join the global AuPairings family network and be considered by suitable agencies that may support your search and placement process. Agency-supported placement may be helpful when you are looking for:
-
Professional guidance
-
Support with candidate selection and matching
-
Help understanding local requirements
-
Visa or documentation guidance
-
Preparation before the placement
-
Support during the au pair stay
Prefer to Search Independently?
Discover more opportunities through our regional AuPairing platforms. Join and connect directly with au pairs — a more cost-effective option without agency placement fees.
Europe
Australia
Safety First
Monitoring and Verification: Our team verifies every profile with an email confirmation at registration. Users are responsible for their own inderpendent checks of users. We do not monitor conversations.
Fraud Reporting: If you spot any suspicious or fake profiles, you can report them. This helps us take quick action and keeps our community safe and trustworthy.
Anonymous Chat: When you chat, your personal details—like your name and email—are kept private. This means you can interact freely, knowing your identity is completely protected.
Data Security: We host everything on secure servers in Germany, meeting top standards for data privacy and security in Europe.
Explore your options and start a Premium Membership that fits your needs today!
We have Experience
Eligibility: Only au pairs with passports eligible for their host county.
Locally Operated: Run by old au pairs, including former host families and experienced au pairs with deep knowledge of the program.
Introductions: A strong understanding of local needs, cultural nuances, and legal requirements ensures smooth introductions.
Supportive Team: A support team that speaks your language,
understands your needs, and is always ready to help.
Legal & Visa Requirements
Requirements vary by country, au pair nationality, and placement program. Before welcoming an au pair, always check the official rules that apply to your country and the au pair’s specific situation.
Eligibility: The host family needs to be either a citizen, permanent resident, or have a visa that allows them to stay in the country of residence for the full duration of your au pair stay.
Accommodation: You’ll have a private room in the family’s home. It should be clean, cozy, and come with basic amenities to make sure you’re comfortable.
Supportive Environment: Your host family should provide both emotional and practical support. This means offering guidance and ensuring you feel safe and welcome in their home.
Childcare Needs: To host an au pair, the family must have at least one child under 18 who needs childcare. Typically, this is for kids between 0-12 years old, though it can vary.
Working Hours and Duties: You’ll work around 25 hours per week, with a maximum of 8 hours per day. Your main duties will revolve around childcare, such as helping with meal prep, school drop-offs and pick-ups, assisting with homework, and light household chores related to the kids.
Wage and Benefits: Au pairs in the program receive a weekly stipend based on program guidelines, paid by the host family. Additionally, the family covers your food and accommodation.
Cultural Exchange: One of the best parts of being an au pair is the cultural exchange! Your host family is encouraged to help you explore the local culture, traditions, and language.
Au Pair Visa: For a legal stay, you’ll need a valid visa for your host country. Check with your host family or online immigration portal.
Requirements differ worldwide. Always check official immigration and au pair rules for your destination before committing to a placement or booking travel.