Suggested costs for an au pair

Traditional au pair
5 hours per day for 5 days, plus 2 nights’ babysitting per week circa GBP65 per week.

Au pair plus 
7-8 hours per day for 5 days, plus 2 nights’ babysitting per week, depending on location, circa GBP100 per week.

It is recommended that the Host Family pays the au pair once a week, in advance, so that they have some pocket money for shopping and some personal bits and pieces.  Weekends should be free for the au pair.  However, if help is needed, then the au pair should be given prior notice and additional pay should be forthcoming.  It is reasonable to expect one of the babysitting nights to be a Saturday or Sunday.

Some families choose to pay for travel to and from the au pair’s native country, both at the start of employment and also during holiday periods.  This is something that should be agreed separately and up front.  It is recommended that no money be sent in advance for independent travel arrangements.  Au pairs should never send money to a family in advance for either travel or visas.

Au Pairs should be allowed to take holiday during a one year period with the Host Family.  This should be paid holiday, but once again, this should be agreed with the family up front, before an au pair starts, so that everyone’s expectations are managed.

Au pair and salaries ( "pocket money") obviously vary according to a number of factors.  Au pairs’ and nannies’ hours and duties vary from family to family.  Therefore so does the weekly amount of money they are paid.  An au pair will normally receive free accommodation and food in addition.  Qualified nannies will normally be paid more than an au pair.  The au pair salary information below is intended to provide a guide, and taken from official government websites of the countries listed. 

Host Families should, of course, always make additional checks on au pair salary guidelines for the UK, and not to rely solely on the information below which is intended as a guide.  As of February 2010 The Au Pair Company Ltd formed an affilation with a leading international CRB checking agency, for more information on how to obtain a comprehensive international vetting service of your prospective au pair, please click here.