Au Pair in America
For Parents
Program Length
12 months
Age Requirement
Aged 18-26 years old
Registration Deadline
Open all year
Remuneration
Weekly pocket money
Accommodation
With your Host Family
The AIFS Difference
60+ years of trusted experience & care
Since 1986, Au Pair in America has been a legal cultural exchange program approved by the U.S. Government. As the first designated sponsor, we provide peace of mind that your child is in safe hands.
Backed by AIFS, a global leader in cultural exchange for over 60 years, we’ve supported more than 1.6 million young people worldwide. We value your trust and are committed to making the au pair experience safe, rewarding, and life-changing.
Daily Life in America
What does an Au Pair do?
An Au Pair lives with an American Host Family on a 12-month J-1 visa, providing up to 45 hours of childcare each week in return for room, board, and a weekly stipend. Daily tasks may include school runs, homework help, playtime, and light household duties related to the children.
Beyond childcare, the program is a chance for your child to share their own culture, gain independence, and immerse themselves in everyday U.S. family life – valuable experience for both personal growth and their future career.
Skills & Education
Learning, Travel and Time Off
Au Pairs enjoy at least 1.5 days off each week, two weeks of paid vacation, and a “Travel Month” at the end of their stay to explore the U.S. They can travel with friends, discover local highlights, or visit iconic American landmarks.
Study is also part of the visa requirement. Host Families contribute toward course costs, providing $500-$1000, and options range from online classes to local college courses. This learning experience helps Au Pairs to further develop their skills, meet new people, and enhance their CVs.
24/7 Support
With you every step of the journey
From day one, your child will be welcomed at our New York orientation before traveling to their Host Family. On arrival with their Host Family, each Au Pair joins a local cluster community, supported by a dedicated Community Counsellor who organises activities with local Au Pairs, and regular check-ins to make sure everything is running smoothly.
In addition to this local support, we provide a 24/7 emergency phone line, ensuring help is always available. Even after their placement ends, our team continues to support Au Pairs during travel until they safely return home.
Au Pair in Australia
What’s included:
Return flights to the USA, provided you complete your full 12-month placement.
Placement with a fully screened American Host Family (the choice is yours)
Medical insurance (upgrades available at an extra cost)
Sponsorship of your J1 Exchange Visitor Visa and assistance with obtaining it
Your own private room and 21 weekly meals provided with your Host Family
Online pre-departure orientation, a 3-day training session in New York, and optional safety courses
Fun monthly social events to meet other Au Pairs
A weekly stipend – calculated by the U.S. Department of State after accounting for costs associated with weekly room and board
On-the-ground 24/7 emergency assistance throughout your entire stay
Support from a Community Counsellor who lives in your nearby area
$500-1000 USD study allowance towards taking classes at an American college
2 weeks of paid vacation time during your stay
1 full 'travel month' at the end of your stay
Volunteer and community service opportunities
Have Questions?
Take a look at our frequently asked questions below or if you've still not found the answers you need, get in touch. We're always happy to chat to you.
Need help with something?
Frequently Asked Questions
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01What is the age limit for Au Pair in America?
You must be aged between 18-26 to participate in Au Pair in America. We recommend applicants apply at least 6 months prior to their 27th birthday to have sufficient time to complete the application and arrive in the USA. You can also start your application when you are 17 provided you are 18 by the time your placement begins.
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02What kind of childcare experience do I need?
You must have a minimum of 200 referenced hours of childcare, but this can cover basically anything related to children! For example:
- Babysitting
- Caring for a younger family member (can only count for 50 hours)
- Volunteering in youth groups, social clubs, children support groups, hospitals etc.
- Working or volunteering in a childcare centre or before/after school care
- Working or volunteering in holiday programs for children
- Sports coaching or assistant coaching
- Sunday school or church group leaders and assistants
- Scouts/Girl Guides group leaders and assistants
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03How old are the children I'll need to look after?
Many Host Families do have a child under 2 years old, so if you have the experience and willingness to care for babies and much younger children then this will greatly increase your chances of finding a placement very quickly. However, not all applicants are fully experienced or feel comfortable in looking after newborns or very young babies. On your application you’re able to indicate your willingness for different age ranges, so you will only speak to families that fall within those categories.
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04Can I be an Au Pair in America for less than 12 months?
Au Pair in America is a minimum 12-month commitment. This may seem like a long time but trust us when we say the year will fly by.
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05Do I need to have a full driving license?
As most families require an Au pair who can drive, it is a requirement that you have a driving license. We accept P-Plate drivers, as this is the equivalent of a full license in the US. If you are a Learner driver you can still begin your application, but you'll need to pass your driving test before starting your placement.
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06How will I make friends and meet people?
All Au pairs join a local 'cluster', which is a group of other Au Pair in America participants in your local area. Each cluster is managed by a local Community Counsellor who plans monthly meetings and events for your cluster group to get together and participate in a fun activity such as movie nights, sporting events or cultural activities. Attending these meetings and events is expected of our Au Pairs and is the easiest way to meet other Au Pairs and make lots of new friends.
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07How far ahead should I apply?
We recommend that you apply as soon as you have made the decision to participate. It's good to try to get your application finished about 6 months before you'd like to travel to America. On average, it takes roughly 4 weeks to complete an application from start to finish, including attending an interview.
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08What if I already know the family I want to Au Pair for?
Yes, this is possible - we call it a "pre-match." Both you and the family must still meet the requirements for the program. You should contact the Sydney office with information on the family and the family will need to apply through our US office and go through the normal screening process. You will also still need to submit a full application and be interviewed.
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09What if I’m homesick or my placement doesn’t work out?
Our aim is that both the Au Pair and Host Family have a happy, successful year. Should a conflict occur between you and your Host Family, the Community Counsellor will assist to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. If the issues cannot be resolved, you will go into ‘rematch’ where you will be able to find a new family.
Remember that it's perfectly natural to feel a bit homesick when you arrive in the USA. You should be able to overcome this through the help of your Host Family, your Community Counsellor and your new Au Pair friends. If you do really want to return home then you will forfeit your return flight and you may not be able to participate on another US cultural exchange program in the future, so please think carefully about your decision to leave early.
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10If I've been an Au Pair in America before, can I return?
Yes! We have a returnee program available, providing that you:
- Have successfully completed your first stay in America
- Have completed the educational component of the program
- Can provide a copy of your completion certificate and reference from your previous Host Family
- Have lived outside of the USA for at least 2 years
If you want to return to the same family as before, we can help arrange this if you qualify as a ‘returnee Au Pair’ and your Host Family are happy to have you back again.
AIFS Australia
Our Mission & Values
Our Values
Committed to care, respect and honesty
Our mission can only be achieved through exceptional support and care for our program participants to ensure their safety and wellbeing. We always provide honest, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment of program participants, our partners and employees, safeguarding teamwork and collaboration both within our organisation and with our partners.
Our Mission
Leading cultural exchange opportunities since 1964
The American Institute of Foreign Study (AIFS) provides the highest quality educational and cultural exchange programs to enrich the lives of young people throughout the world. Since 1964 we have been the leading provider of such opportunities, helping more than 1.8 million young people increase their global understanding in our diverse world.
Our Support
24/7 emergency support for all Au Pairs
Our support starts from the moment you apply. Our experienced team are always on hand to answer questions about the application process and help you find a perfectly matched placement for your experience and preferences. Once your placement begins, we’ll keep in touch to check it’s all going smoothly. Day or night, we are always just a phone call away.
