How to become an au pair in Canada?
Canada has 39 different programs for the different au pair citizenships.
Choose here which programs you want to see and compare.
rules & regulations
Working Holiday United Kingdom | Care Giver World |
|
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minimum stay | 1 month | |
maximum stay | 24 months | 12 months |
working hours | There are no specific regulations when it comes to the number of hours au pairs should work in Canada. 25-35 per week is common practice, but for more detail on Canada's Labour Code and stipulations to working hours please click this link. | |
days off | 1 day off per week (typically sunday) | |
holidays | 2 weeks for every 6 months worked = 2.33 days/month | |
allowed work | The daily work of an au pair varies widely. It wholly depends on the type and lifestyle of the family that is hosting the au pair. In general, an au pair's everyday work includes:
Which work should and can be done by an au pair? Which work an au pair definitely doesn't have to do? Discuss with others in our community! | The daily work of an au pair is to perform some or all of the following duties:
Which work should and can be done by an au pair? Which work an au pair definitely doesn't have to do? Discuss with others in our community! |
forbidden work | The au pair does not have to:
Which work should and can be done by an au pair? Which work an au pair definitely doesn't have to do? Discuss with others in our community! | Caregiving must be the main responsibility of the job. A job offer for which the main duties are house cleaning, for example, is not acceptable under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP). |
pocket money | Currently the general minimum wage in Ontario is approx. $ 11/hr., so if you work 30 hours, you will receive $ 330 (pocket money) - $ 85.25 (room and board) = $ 244.75 per week. The minimum wage varies slightly from province to province: click here for more detail | |
board and lodging | Au pairs are entitled to have their own room at their host family's home. The host family should also provide them with meals. Naturally, this also applies in case of illness or during the au pair's holidays. | |
room | accommodation for the au pair is as follows as described in government link: Room for temporary foreign worker in live in care-giver program
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language course | During one's stay as an au pair in Canada, it is recommended that he/ she participates in a language course for ease of assimilating to the surrounding culture. Usually, it is the au pair who pays for his or her own language course, however please see below link for some possibilities for government funding to newcomers in Canada. | |
travel expenses | Normally, it is expected that the au pair pay for the flight to and from Canada. If the host family is happy with the help you provide, they may possibly pay the | The employment contract demonstrates that the Live-in Caregiver Program requirements are met by including a description of:
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health, accident and liability insurance | When applying for a visa, the au pair must have health insurance for the entire time he / she is in Canada. The health insurance must cover:
It is recommended that the au pair purchase this insurance only after a Letter of Introduction is received. | |
social welfare system | see social welfare system in step-by-step page | |
tax | The au pair must submit a tax declaration at the end of the year in order to receive a tax refund! | |
cost for host family | $ 330 (pocket money) - $ 85.25 (room and board) = $ 244.75 per week. In addition, the host family will deduct EI (Employment Insurance), CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and income tax from the au pair's pay. The host family must register the au pair for insurance coverage with the province's worker's compensation board. Premiums, depending on the province, should be less than $15 a month. | |
ending of contract | There is no official notice period for au pairs in Canada. But, if one wishes to terminate the au pair contract that he or she has signed, it is recommended to do so by giving two weeks' notice, leaving enough time for the host family to find a replacement au pair and for the au pair who is departing to either organize a return trip or find a new host family. Before the au pair leaves the job, he or she must request these documents from the host family:
Discuss with others in our community what one can do when problems arise with your au pair / family! | If a live-in caregiver’s (au pair's) work permit is about to expire and he/she is between jobs and have not yet found a new employer under the LCP, CPC-V may issue an interim work permit to bridge the gap. This interim work permit allows a caregiver (au pair) to remain in Canada legally, but does not authorize them to work for a new employer. Live-in caregivers (au pairs) may submit an application for a bridge extension using the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada (IMM 1249). Cost recovery fees apply. The bridge extension should:
If the bridge extension expires before the applicant finds a new job/employer and is eligible to apply for a new work permit under the LCP, CPC-V should assess the reasons for the continued unemployment on a case by case basis and may decide to refer the case to a CIC inland office for a more in-depth examination. See section 8.5 of Official document on processing live-in caregivers in Canada Discuss with others in our community what one can do should problems arise with your au pair / family! |

Hi, my name is Julien Baldini
and I’m responsible for this country information
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If you should find any mistakes, please send me a message.
If you have any questions regarding the information on this page, you can ask them in the community.