New research has found the majority of au pairs working in Australia are exploited, overworked and underpaid.
A survey of people who have been au pairs in Australia found 60 per cent are doing much more work than reasonable under the traditional understanding of what's involved, and 58 per cent have been paid less than the minimum wage.
The Cultural Exchange or Cheap Housekeeper? study, which surveyed nearly 1,500 people from 34 different countries, also found families had a tendency to increase the tasks of an au pair without further remuneration.
Report co-author Dr Laurie Berg told SBS News the report highlights the need for better regulation of the industry.
“We now know the lack of effective regulation is leading to some stark power imbalances between families and au pairs, which can leave au pairs highly vulnerable," Dr Berg, from the University of Technology Sydney, said.
Au pairs were at the centre of a political storm earlier this year when it was revealed Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton had personally intervened to stop three au pairs on tourist visas being deported.
Unlike other countries, Australia does not have a special au pair visa – it is only legal on a Working Holiday visa.
Working as an au pair while on a tourist visa can result in visa cancellation.
Dr Berg called on the government to provide au pairs with more information about relevant immigration restrictions.
Mediation service needed
"Because there's no official au pair program in Australia, up until this point we haven’t had any concrete information on the day-to-day experience of au pairs in homes around the country,” Dr Berg said.
An au pair is someone, typically a young person, who performs childcare and light housekeeping duties for families in a foreign country, in exchange for accommodation and spending money.
Au pairing is perceived as an easy-going way for people to travel the world.
The report recommends more information be provided to au pairs and families about acceptable standards for placements.
A government service to provide advice and assistance to both au pairs and families, and for that service to help mediate when disputes arise, would also help, Dr Berg said.
"Families also need to understand, that along with the affordability and flexibility of live-in childcare by au pairs comes the families’ full responsibility as employers, and the federal government to that end needs to support families and au pairs, to help them meet acceptable minimum standards,” she said.
