Terms and conditions
In this document “OZ Au pair” shall be referred to as “the agency”. The “Host Family” shall be referred to as “the family”. The “Au Pair” refers to a person who is registered with the agency and who fulfils the agency's criteria for the purpose of seeking placement with the family.
• Families must complete our Registration Form and accept the Terms & Conditions before they are accepted as clients. If registering online, filling the online Registration Form constitutes confirmation of acceptance of the agency's Terms & Conditions.
• Placement fees are payable after selection of an Au Pair and must be received by the agency when the family offers to engage the Au Pair and such offer is accepted by the Au Pair. The payment should be sent to the agency with the following:
-signed agreement from the family
On receipt of the placement fee the agency will instruct the au pair:
- if she is abroad to book her travel arrangements. The Au Pairs travel dates and arrangements will not be confirmed with the family until the payment has been received by the agency. The Au Pair will be reserved for a period of one week. If the agency does not receive the signed agreement and the fee within this period, the applicant will be offered to other families for selection.
- If she is already in Australia, the agency will contact the au pair so she can start working with the family
• All records, documents and information submitted will be treated as confidential and remain the property of the agency. Any documents sent to you regarding the Au Pair are confidential. The passing of these documents to another potential employer renders the family liable for the payment of the agency fee.
• Introductions:
-The agency acts as an intermediate for the purpose of effecting introductions between the family, and a prospective au pair.
-If the Au pair is introduced to the family, resulting in the placement, engagement or employment of the Au pair, the family will be liable for the full fee and any costs associated with the recovery of the fee. The fee will also be payable to the agency if the family engage the Au pair at a future date, having previously declined the services of the Applicant through the agency. If the family transfer or pass on the names of an Au pair to other families, the family will liable for the placement fee, in the event of the family employing the au pair.
• Placement Conditions
- The agency agrees to offer Au Pair candidates for the family's consideration and to provide reasonable support concerning problems that may arise during the exchange.
- The Au Pair is not at any time directly/indirectly employed by the agency. but by the family.
-The agency will endeavour to introduce suitable applicants as Au Pairs. Although the agency takes every care to check the applicant's details, operates purely as an introductory service and it is the responsibility of the Client to be satisfied as to the suitability of the applicant.
- The agency fees become payable on acceptance of an applicant. All fees MUST be paid prior to the arrival of an Au Pair.
As your au pair is expected to work for you either doing housework or/and helping with your children, you must give her Training.
This Training must be done in her first week of arrival, based on your work schedule previously designed by you the family. Every family has different habits, cleaning standards and different background.
This Training is to show the au pair:
· How you like things done;
· What product they should use;
· How long they should spend on each task;
· If dealing with children, pets or any other family member what the procedures and restrictions are.
• Travel Costs:
-Au Pairs are responsible for their own travel costs from their home country to Australia and the family is responsible for meeting them at the airport. If it is not possible for the family to collect them on arrival (ie. because you live elsewhere in the country), the agency will provide every assistance with making reservations for onward travel and no bookings will be made without prior agreement with the family .
• Holidays:
If the family is going on holiday and require the Au Pair to stay at home without specific duties the family must provide half weekly pocket for board / travel. If the Au Pair has specific duties during the family's holiday she should receive her usual pocket money.
• Replacements:
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The agency will offer a free replacement when written notification is received if:
• The Au pair fails to arrive
• If the Au pair proves to be unsuitable within 3 or 5 months depending on the program paid by the family (i.e. has misrepresented themselves/their experience/ displays general misconduct).
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The Agency cannot guarantee that a suitable candidate is available for immediate replacement but existing Clients are always given priority. Should no suitable replacement be offered after 6 weeks, a refund may be applied for, subject to a $200 administration fee. Refunds/replacements are subject to punctual payment of full Fee. No refunds are payable where the client rejects to have a replacement.
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Unreasonable rejection of replacement candidates may result in delays and will not entitle customer to a refund.
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All candidates are entitled to three week's notice of termination of employment. Failure to comply with this condition results in automatic loss of right to refund, replacement or credit. However, in the event of serious misconduct by the Au-pair or The Client, either party shall be entitled to terminate the engagement immediately. If the Au-pair's departure is as a result of misconduct on the part of The Client, The Agency has no obligation to replace the Au-pair, or offer any refund of fees.
- In the case that the Au Pair leaves for refusing to accept his/her duties in relation to a reason which was not known and/or expressly written in your Family's application , (is: looking after mentally challenged children, working outside of agreed times etc…), the agency has no obligation to replace the Au pair, or offer any refund of fees.
- In all cases if a substitute is offered by the agency and refused by the Client no refund or credit is due.
No replacements will be provided:
-If the introduction fee has not been paid ontime in full
-If the Au pair is asked to work more hours than agreed
-If the Au pair justifiably complains of mistreatment or misconduct by the family or any member, guest, friend or acquaintance of your family. (Drinking too much, making the au pair feel uncomfortable or scared)
-If the family restrict access to, or prevent the Au pair using any amenities to which he/she is contractually entitled, or the family withhold all or part of her pocket money.
-If an Au pair leaves because she has been asked (and have not agreed) to work longer hours or perform substantially different duties to those agreed.
-If the family do not abide by these terms and conditions.
-Placement of another Au Pair with the family is subject to availability and there is no warranty that a replacement Au Pair will be offered. In the event that the placement is discontinued due to the actions of the Au Pair, the family will be offered a replacement Au Pair for the remaining number of weeks.
-If the Client decides FOR WHATEVER REASON, not to accept the replacement no refund will be due to the Client. And there are no trial periods. All replacement Au Pairs must be sourced from the agency – we do not provide refunds so that the family can find replacements with other agencies.
- If the Au Pair stays longer than 3 or 5 months from the agreed start date of the engagement, the engagement is regarded as satisfactory and the agency shall have fulfilled its obligations. Any replacement Au Pair requested through the agency after this time will incur the placement fee. The agency cannot be held responsible should the Au Pair stay for a shorter period than agreed with the Client. Submission of an application form to the agency constitutes agreement to the above terms and conditions.
• Paying Your Au Pair:
You agree to pay your Au Pair a minimum of $180 per week pocket money for working no more than 30 hours, plus 1 or 2 evenings babysitting per week. Additional money must be paid for additional hours worked. Au Pairs must have at least 2 days free per week
• Au pair Entitlements:
-The family agrees to provide the Au Pair with Board consisting of a private fully furnished room
-The family will cover the costs for the Au Pair of all expenses related to the care of the children by the Au Pair.
-Au Pairs come to Australia to improve their level of English and must therefore be given free time to pursue English classes. Any fees for courses will be payable by the Au pair.
-The allocation of work time may be varied to suit the family's needs, and where possible, by giving your Au Pair advance notice for occasional babysitting in the evenings.
-Au Pairs should have at least two full free days per week. Not less than one such free day in every month shall be a Sunday.
-If the Au Pair is ill the family will continue to provide them with accommodation and food until such time as other arrangements can be made for their care or until they are well enough to continue with their duties.
-Au Pairs should be allowed to live as one of the family (not as hired help) and should be given the opportunity to participate in family life. They must have their own room within the residence, such room to have adequate heating and studying facilities
- An au pair should be treated as a member of the family and given the choice to be included in activities, including meals.
Au Pairs and Driving:
-Where Au Pairs are required to drive in Australia , the agency will use its best endeavours, to ensure that applicants have a full and valid driving licence, but cannot be held responsible for their driving skills. The family is responsible for providing the necessary insurance to cover the Au Pair's use of the vehicle, together with any maintenance or service fees.
- It is the responsibility of the family to assess the driving ability of the Au Pair before granting permission to operate a vehicle.
• Monitoring of the Placement
-After placement the family will maintain regular contact and communication with the agency in order to monitor the appropriateness of the placement and the fulfillment of the program requirements.
-Important Note: Some Au Pair applicants may be formally trained in the care of babies and infant toddlers, however unless specifically stated it is not advisable to make sole charge care of babies and infants the responsibility of untrained carers.
• Refunds and Cancellations:
-If the Au pair fails to arrive, the agency will make it a priority to find a replacement. If this is not possible, a refund will be made of the fee paid less an administration of 200AUD.
-If the Client cancels an engagement after it has been confirmed the following refunds will apply:
- Should the family cancel after the Au Pair that is coming from outside Australia has accepted and before 35 days of the commencement date, a refund of 50% of the placement fee will be applied. Cancellation within Less than 35 days of commencement will not be refunded.
-Should the family cancel after the Au Pair that is coming from outside Australia has accepted and after she purchased a travel ticket, The agency will not offer any refund of the placement fee for the family.
- Should the family cancel after the Au Pair has been placed through no fault of the Au Pair then there will be no refund of the placement fee
• Termination of Employment:
-The family must notify the agency verbally and then in writing with 3 weeks notice, if they wish to terminate the engagement of the Au Pair. The applicant is entitled to a minimum of 3 weeks notice of termination of employment. Should the family terminate the employment because of immoral or illegal behaviour on the part of the applicant and immediate dismissal is necessary, the family must contact the agency to inform us of the situation. If, for any other reason, the family feel immediate dismissal is necessary then the family will be responsible for the accommodation costs for the au pair for 7 days, or until her journey home is confirmed (or another suitable family is found).
• Release of Claims against the agency
-The family unconditionally releases the agency from any claims for damage, injury, loss, or expense of any sort incurred in connection with the participation of the family in The Program and the selection of an Au Pair. This release includes, but is not limited to, liability for any intentional or negligent acts or omissions by the Au Pair.
-The agency will provide the family with the Au pair documentation and references, to let the family verify the veracity of them, failing to do so, implies no responsibility to the agency. The agency is not under any circumstances responsible for any costs incurred by the Au Pair or for any damages or losses caused by the Au Pair. The family understands and agrees that the Au Pair may only provide childcare for the family's children
• Liability
- The agency shall endeavour to provide the family with applicants who are as well suited as possible to their particular needs and stated preferences. The family must however take the final decision whether or not to employ any applicant. The Au pair will provide references and Medical certificates. Although every effort is made to check the validity of such documents, the agency accepts no liability if such references or certificates prove to be inaccurate.
• Program Fees
-The family agrees to pay the following fees to the agency :
-The full placement fee becomes payable when the family selects an applicant introduced by the agency and the prospective Au pair confirms the placement.
-Placement Fee is payable upon receipt of written confirmation from the family of their intention to host the Au pair commencing from the date stipulated by the agency .
Placement Fees ( A one off payment, payable prior to the Au-Pair joining your house)
Placement fee:
Au pair Premier: AUS $580.00 per placement
Au Pair Deluxe: AUS $650.00 per placement.
We also offer a 10% discount for all our families who come back to us.
Declaration: I/We have read and agree to the above Terms and Conditions. I/We agree to treat our au pair as a member of our family, allow her to have free time to pursue language courses..
