If you are considering becoming an au pair, it’s essential to understand the financial commitment. Sponsors are responsible for ensuring that au pairs receive full and timely refunds if their host families cannot continue to host them.
The Au Pair Stipend
Au pairs are paid a weekly stipend for living expenses as part of their cultural exchange. The amount varies by program country, cost of living, and the specific arrangement’s terms. Host families may also pay an educational contribution, up to the maximum set by regulations, and international and domestic air travel fees (see below).
While it’s true that some au pairs have been exploited by their host families—and that au pair agencies should kick these families out of the program—most au pairs are happy with their arrangements.
Most au pairs report that their family relationships have made them better people. Regarding the costs of au pair care program, a one-time match processing fee is due upon requesting your au pair’s match, and program fees are paid in increments until your au pair arrives at your home.
Living Expenses
In addition to a private bedroom, host families provide au pairs with regular meals and access to transportation. They also support au pair participation in monthly meetings and classes and allow au pairs to join the family on family trips. Hosts will sometimes pay for childcare training to help the au pair care for infants during the program year.
There will be times throughout the year, such as during a child’s illness or vacation time, when host families and au pairs must make alternate care arrangements. In these situations, the au pair’s minimum weekly federal stipend continues to be paid by the sponsor. When sponsors determine irreconcilable differences between a host family and au pair, the sponsor will work with both parties to reach an amicable resolution.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the sponsor will provide the au pair with immediate assistance to return home before their original program ends. In these instances, the sponsor will use reasonable efforts to locate an alternative program participant for the au pair.
Travel Expenses
If you are hosting an Au Pair from a country outside the USA, it is your responsibility to cover their travel expenses. This includes the outbound flight to the USA and their return home upon program completion. You can help cover these costs before the start of the program, or you can request that your full-service Au Pair agency covers them for you.
You will also be responsible for your Au Pair’s academic coursework if they participate in the Educare component of the program. You must provide your Au Pair’s credited courses/classes. This is a standard part of the program. Some families cover extra expenses like a gym membership or bath products as an additional bonus.
However, this is something other than what is obligated by the program. We recommend not paying for these expenses upfront before the Au Pair’s arrival, as this can lead to problems if they decide to leave early and have difficulty recovering their money.
Insurance
When an au pair needs a change in placement, it can be disruptive for both parties. Sponsors must ensure they are fully aware of all the circumstances that may arise and have standard operating procedures to facilitate rematching with a new host family in a practical, fair, and good-faith manner.
Sponsors should provide au pairs with clear, detailed policies on rematching issues before their arrival and have staff available to answer questions as they arise. These policies should address the range of circumstances that may evolve, including the failure to pay an au pair the minimum weekly stipend, the refusal of a host family to allow the au pair time off from child care duties and education component work hours, or the increase in a host family’s au pair’s responsibilities beyond those stipulated by the U.S. government and program regulations.
At times throughout the year, backup childcare arrangements are necessary for various reasons, including illness and scheduling conflicts. During these unavoidable times, the minimum weekly federal stipend will continue to be paid to au pairs.
Overtime
The au pair program is designed to allow participants to live and work as part of a family while providing child care. However, there are times throughout the exchange when the au pair is not working or may be unavailable to offer childcare duties. These situations are unavoidable and should be planned for.
Au pairs often face days or weeks when their wages stop, but their need for food and housing continues. Sponsors must establish standard operating procedures to cover these situations and ensure that au pairs are given the means to pay their bills. To address these issues, sponsors should be required to outline placement-specific minimum requirements and disclosures in each Host Family Agreement between the host family and au pair.
Conclusion
In addition, the Department of State should require sponsors to develop programs that promote best practices and improve oversight by requiring sponsor-appointed representatives to attend training courses on identifying and responding to au pair concerns.
Finally, the Department of State should amend regulations to clarify that hosts must comply with the laws and rules of their jurisdiction relating to domestic workers.
