How do we hire a nanny, au pair or cleaner?

If you hire a nanny or au pair yourself, you’re usually their employer, with the same duties as any business: minimum pay, leave, payslips and possibly super and insurance. An agency or a cleaner who runs their own business takes much of that off your hands.

Three ways to get help

If you employ someone yourself

• Pay: at least the national minimum wage of A$26.44 an hour, or A$1,004.90 for a 38-hour week, from 1 July 2026. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay tools to check whether an award sets a higher rate for the job
• Leave: full-time and part-time employees get the National Employment Standards, including 4 weeks’ paid annual leave and 10 days’ paid personal leave a year, pro rata for part-time
• Paperwork: give a new employee the Fair Work Information Statement, keep records, and give a payslip within 1 working day of each payday
• Super: the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary pay. There is a special hours test for private and domestic workers, such as nannies, so check the ATO’s rules. If super is due, since 1 July 2026 it must reach the fund within 7 business days of payday (Payday Super)
• Tax and insurance: check with the ATO whether you must withhold tax, and with your state’s workers’ compensation regulator whether you need a policy. Some home insurance policies include cover for people working in your home

Au pairs

Most au pairs are young travellers on a Working Holiday visa. An au pair who looks after your children in return for pay is usually your employee, entitled to at least the minimum wage for the hours they work.

• Working Holiday visas usually limit how long the holder can work for one employer. Check their exact conditions on VEVO, the free Home Affairs visa check, before you agree a start and end date
• Agree hours, duties, days off and any board in writing

Checks before you hire

• Ask to see their state Working with Children Check (in Queensland, the blue card) and check it online with the state service
• Call at least two references, and check first aid training for anyone caring for young children
• Check their right to work on VEVO, with their permission

Is a nanny subsidised?

The Child Care Subsidy only covers approved care. A nanny you hire privately isn’t approved care. In Home Care is a separate, limited program: a carer from an approved In Home Care service, only for families who already qualify for the subsidy and can’t reasonably use a centre, family day care or OSHC, for example because of shift work, living far from any service, or a child’s complex needs. You apply through an In Home Care Support Agency. From 6 July 2026 the subsidy is worked out on up to A$41.31 an hour per family, not per child. See childcare and holiday care for the subsidy rules.

Cleaners and other contractors

Most cleaners work as sole traders or through cleaning companies and booking platforms. Check their ABN (Australian Business Number) on the government’s ABN Lookup, and ask whether they have public liability insurance. If you set their hours, direct how they work and supply everything, they may legally be an employee, however you describe the arrangement.