Au Pair, a program using international nannies is the cheapest form of childcare available in Australia.
Now recommendations by the Productivity Commission suggest Australia should extend the Au Pair program from six months to 12 months, in a bid to lower childcare costs and support workforce participation, especially in regional Australia.
The Productivity Commission’s latest report titled ‘Childcare and Early Childhood Learning’ has stated, “the Australian government should simplify working holiday visa requirements to make it easier for families to employ au pairs, by allowing au pairs to work for a family for up to the full 12-month term of the visa, rather than the current limit of six months per family.”
Findings from the report revealed that rural communities are struggling to find quality child care and early learning that is flexible and affordable enough to meet their needs.
Migration Solutions Managing Director Mark Glazbrook wants Australia to embrace the Canadian ‘Live-in Caregiver Program,’ which allows young families to employ international nannies or Au pairs to assist with day-to-day child care activities, while living in private homes.
“In Canada, live-in caregivers are considered to be individuals who are qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities in private homes,” said Mr Glazbrook.
For regional communities, where services are limited, this program would be ideal.
