How to become an au pair in New Zealand?
New Zealand has 44 different programs for the different au pair citizenships.
Choose here which programs you want to see and compare.
rules & regulations
Working Holiday Vietnam | Student World | Free Movement Australia |
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minimum stay | A minimum stay of six months | ||
maximum stay | According to the Vietnam Working Holiday Scheme the total maximum stay is 12 months whilst working for the same employer has a maximum of 3 months. For more information please see section "A working holiday in New Zealand" on the website of Immigration New Zealand (INZ). | 12 months | Potential to be unlimited: While there is a constant flow of people back and forth across the Tasman, a large number of people exercising their rights under the TTTA, act as permanent migrants. In doing so, they make a substantial financial and personal commitment. |
working hours | Generally, the working hours of an au pair are:
| 20 hours per week. | Generally, the working hours of an au pair are:
|
days off | 2 days per week Note:.. Sometimes, it is important - especially when caring for others, like a child /children - that the daily working hours are flexible. This flexibility regarding the working hours should be written down as a "flexible working arrangement" between the au pair and the host family. | ||
holidays |
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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! | ||
forbidden work | Not part of the daily work of an au pair are the following tasks:
Which work should not and cannot be done by an au pair? Which work an au pair definitely doesn't have to do? Discuss with others in our community! | ||
pocket money | 1. between $130 NZ and 230 NZ per week, depending on
2. A completion bonus of $20 NZ per week at the end of the placement term is being paid to the au pair by the host family.
or
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board and lodging | Board and lodging are free to the au pair. This applies also
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room | An au pair has to be provided with his or her own room. | ||
language course | The host family has to give the au pair the possibility to attend a language course. The costs for attending a language course have i.g. to be borne by the au pair. An au pair entering New Zealand under the conditions of the Working Holiday visa programme is allowed to study in New Zealand for up to six months' duration in total. | The host family has to give the au pair the possibility to attend a language course. The costs for attending a language course have to be borne by the au pair. | |
travel expenses | The au pair is liable for all travel costs. The host family may pay return costs but this will need to be negotiated. | ||
health, accident and liability insurance | The au pair is responsible for all of her / his health costs. The au pair has to provide a private medical and comprehensive hospitalization insurance for the length of her / his stay. Besides a private medical and comprehensive hospitalization insurance, an all-inclusive liability for the au pair is recommended. Therefore, it is clear as to who pays for the damage in case of an accident. Basically, the au pair bears the costs of the private medical and comprehensive hospitalization insurance and the all-inclusive liability. | ||
social welfare system | Social benefits can only be granted to a person who
or
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tax | Entering New Zeland with a Working Holiday visa, the au pair will need an IRD number (Inland Revenue Department) so that the host family as the au pairs' employer can deduct tax from her / his earnings. Tax is payed in New Zealand on a "pay as you earn" (PAYE) basis. Therefore there should not be a large refund respectively an amount to pay when the au pair leaves New Zealand. For more information please see "Coming to New Zealand for the short term" provided by the New Zealand Inland Revenue website. Note: Having a fully functional New Zealand bank account is necessary otherwise the IRD number cannot be issued. to the au pair. (please see also "step by step - once you're in New Zealand => bank account") | To be able to work legally in New Zealand the au pair will need an IRD number (Inland Revenue Department) so that the host family as the au pairs' employer can deduct tax from her / his earnings. Tax is paid in New Zealand on a "pay as you earn" basis. Therefore, there should not be a large refund amount to pay when the au pair leaves New Zealand. For more information please see "Coming to New Zealand for the short term" provided by the New Zealand Inland Revenue website. Note: Having a fully functional New Zealand bank account is necessary otherwise the IRD number cannot be issued to the au pair. (please see also "step by step - once you're in New Zealand => bank account") Do you have any experiences with the taxation of the pocket money? Discuss with others in our community! | |
cost for host family | at least 150 NZ per week Room and Board: Own room must be provided to au pair plus meals. Return trip home for the au pair upon successful completion of assignment | ||
placement fee | There are no regulations about placement fees in New Zealand. | ||
ending of contract | The better au pair and family match, the less severe the culture shock. Therefore we highly recommend to use our perfectMatch function to find the perfect Match! Discuss with others in our community what you can do when you have problems with your au pair / family! |

Hi, my name is Sabrina Tonon
and I’m responsible for this country information
I have thoroughly researched the information on this page, still I can’t give a guarantee that everything is correct and up-to-date.
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.