The term Au Pair (from the French expression meaning "on even
terms with") refers to a young person from another country,
living as a member of the host family and helping to care for the
children. The goal is for the Au Pair to Improve their language
skills, learn about a different culture and country as part of
an educational process and future career development in a typical
family environment. Both men and women between the ages of 18 and 28
are eligible for a job as an Au Pair in Austria.
The qualifications should require that they are at least 18 but not
older then 28, single, a high school graduate, someone who enjoys
children and has had experience as a child care provider or baby
sitter. They must prove minimum knowledge of German (foreign language
level at school or one semester at university or language course).
They are to improve their language competence with the help of the
host family.
In exchange they provides 25 hours (depending on the program) per
week of child care which usually includes: playing with the children,
taking the children to and from school, helping with homework,
cooking meals for the children, light housekeeping etc.
The Employer provides full room and board and a monthly stipend of at
least €60 per week, free time includes at least one day off per
week and daily time off (enabling her to attend language classes),
corresponding to children's schedules.
Au pairs are responsible for child care and some light housekeeping
in the host family for a maximum of 25 hours per week. In return the
host family must pay the Au Pair a minimum of 60 EURO pocket money
per week. Au pairs are entitled to their own lockable room and full board.
In the event that Au Pairs are not sufficiently covered by health
insurance in their home country the host family has to take out
insurance at the family’s own cost.
Austrian AU Pair Program Regulations
As of April 1, 2001 foreign Au Pairs may be employed without
additional permits provided the host family has submitted a formal
notification of employment to the relevant Labor market service two
weeks prior to commencement of employment the labor market service
has issued a confirmation authorizing employment.
Duration Of Employment
Required Documents
Formal notification of employment 267-KB-PDF
(German only)
Residence Permits for Au
Pairs
Residence permits must be applied for by the prospective Au Pair with
an Austrian embassy or consulate in their country. Confirmation
authorizing employment (Anzeigebestätigung), as well as a
certified formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung) on the
part of the host family are required for application.
Verpflichtungserklärung: 56-KB-PDF
(German only)
Au Pairs from the following countries do not require a formal
obligation: Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Slovak
Republic, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the USA.
Source: City of Vienna, US Consulate
Consequences of Illegal Residence and Employment
Foreign nationals may not begin working as an Au Pair until a
residence permit has been received. Other employment is not
permitted. A foreign national that that works illegally in risks
being expelled and barred from returning for a specified period of
time.
Au Pair Agencies in Vienna
Auslands-Sozialdienst
Au-Pair Vermittlung
Johannesgasse 16 • A - 1010 Wien • Austria
Tel.: + 1 5127941/9795 • Fax: + 1 5139460
E-mail: aupair-asd@kath-jugend.at
Information Resources
IAPA, the
International Au
Pair Association
A non-profit organization promoting unity between au-pairs, host
families and agencies.
Europa
Pages Au Pair Centre
Directory of Au Pair Agencies
