New Au Pair Association to Raise Standards

Media release                                                                                                    November 9, 2009

New Au Pair Association to Raise Industry Standards

A new association which promises to implement and enforce new guidelines for au pair agencies is set to shake up the country’s childcare industry.  

The New Zealand Au Pair Association (NZAPA) was created to protect both au pairs and the host families they work for, in-line with international regulations, says its president Cecilia Robinson.

Robinson who runs an agency herself, Au Pair Link, says it was important to have a set of regulations where local agencies could work together to raise industry standards.

“The role of the NZAPA is to ensure that basic rules are complied with,” says Robsinson.  “This means things like guaranteeing host families are paying their au pair the minimum wage and addressing the concerns of both parties.”

An au pair is typically a young person from abroad employed by a family to care for their children and help with light housework in return for a small monetary allowance, room, meals and an opportunity to further study the local language, she says.

Robinson says the new association will ensure that the duties of au pairs are thoroughly stipulated.  “It’s important that they’re not being treated as housekeepers or slaves and that children of host families are protected by making sure that all au pairs are thoroughly screened.”

These guidelines, says Robinson, are currently being neglected by many of New Zealand’s au pair agencies.

“I set up the association because there are 13 au pair agencies that we know of operating in New Zealand and all work to completely different standards.  I have heard horror stories of au pairs who have been dumped in hostels without any communication or information and have to wait there until their host family decides to pick them up.”

Robinson says that her own agency is the only one in Australisia approved by the International Au Pair Association.  While gaining this accrediation, she was prompted to establish a local association on the advice of the board’s chairman. 

“We would like all of the agencies in New Zealand to have the same international standards as those overseas. We want to enforce a strict screening process including proper medical checks, police records, and references,” she says.

Robinson says NZAPA members must meet firm business and ethical standards as well as agree to the NZAPA’s code of conduct.

For more information see: www.nzapa.org.nz

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