What you need to know if you want to be a host family in New Zealand.
Hosting an au pair can be an exciting experience for both the host family and au pair. It is a great way to combine childcare with new cultural experiences. However, as the requirements for hosting an au pair differ country to country, it is important to know the necessary legal requirements. We strongly recommend that these requirements are discussed and agreed upon in an au pair contract before the au pair begin their stay.
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Here are 6 requirements you need to know about when hiring an au pair in New Zealand:
1. Eligibility
As there is no official au pair visa in New Zealand au pairs must obtain a Working Holiday visa to work legally. The requirements for this include:
- Be a citizen of one of the following countries:
|
Argentina |
Australia |
Austria |
Belgium |
Brazil |
Canada |
|
Czech Republic |
Chile |
China |
Croatia |
Denmark |
Estonia |
|
Finland |
France |
Germany |
Hong Kong |
Hungary |
Ireland |
|
Israel |
Italy |
Japan |
Latvia |
Malaysia |
Malta |
|
Mexico |
The Netherlands |
Norway |
Peru |
The Philippines |
Poland |
|
Singapore |
Slovakia |
Slovenia |
Spain |
South Korea |
Sweden |
|
Taiwan |
Thailand |
Turkey |
United Kingdom |
USA |
Uruguay |
|
Vietnam |
- Have between $2,250 – $7,000 NZD available
- Be between 18 – 30 years of age
- Not have children accompanying them
- Hold a return ticket or enough funds to purchase one
- Have adequate health and accident insurance
- Not have applied for this visa previously
- Can work for up to 12 months (depending on native country)
2. Hours and pay
While there are no official rules on how much an au pair in New Zealand should work, it is recommended that they do not work more than 30-40 hours per week. This includes babysitting. New Zealand law stipulates that no au pair should work more than 45 hours per week.
Au pairs in New Zealand are entitled to minimum wage as they have the same legal status as regular employees. The minimum wage in New Zealand is $17.70 NZD per hour as of 1 April 2019.
3. Tax and insurance
As employers, host families must report their au pair’s income tax. All au pairs must have an IRD number which can be obtained online.
To obtain the Working Holiday visa au pairs must have comprehensive insurance for the duration of their stay in New Zealand.
4. Duration of stay and holidays
Depending on the citizenship of the au pair, au pairs can stay for a duration of 3-12 months. As au pairs are legal employees in New Zealand they are entitled to weekends off. If an au pair agrees to work over a weekend for special circumstances they should be paid one and a half times their regular wage.
Within a 12-month contract, au pairs are entitled to four weeks of paid holiday. If the duration of their stay is shorter, their holiday can be worked out proportionally. Au pairs should also get public holidays off.
5. Duties
The main responsibility of the au pair is to look after your children. They can also help with some light housework but are not to be used as a cleaner. The exact duties of the au pair, as well as their hours and pay, should be detailed in an au pair contract that is worked out before their arrival.
6. Room and board
Au pairs must be provided with their own private bedroom. Host families should also provide them with three meals a day, typically to be eaten with the family.
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