Living & Working in Austria

4.7 Au-pairs
Young people from abroad may work in Austria as an au-pair for a specified period of time. Au-pairs
are accepted in the host family as a family member and are integrated into everyday family life. In
return the family expects the au-pair to help with childcare and light housework. In addition to working
in the household and performing childcare, the au-pair has to attend a language school or another
course.
Essential prerequisites for working as an au-pair are as follows:
age of 18 to 28 years
prior childcare experience as well as enjoying working with children
readiness to adjust to other cultures and different lifestyles
2–3 evenings per week of babysitting
minimum skills in German (school level or one semester studies or language course;
certificates are to be furnished)
use of an authorised agency when referred an au-pair position
maximum of one year as au-pair in Austria in the last five years
the au-pair has no criminal record
The Housemaid and Domestic Workers Act (HGHAG) regulates employment of au-pairs. The
remuneration follows the minimum wage tariff for au-pairs.
Most au-pair agencies assist au-pairs with formalities prior to the au-pair assignment (selection of
host family, travel etc.) as well as during their assignment (contact in case of problems, organization
of periodic au-pair meetings etc.)
Au-pairs from the new EU accession states enjoy freedom of establishment and do not
require a residence permit, however the host family must obtain a confirmation autho rising
au-pair employment (Anzeigebestätigung) from the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS)
(http://www.ams.at/sfa/14104_1464.html). For a stay exceeding three months a “registration
certificate” (Anmeldebescheinigung) must be obtained from the residence authorities (district
administrative authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or the competent municipal authority (Magistrat)).
More details are available at:
http://www.ams.at/_docs/Infoblatt_Au-pair.pdf (au-pair information sheet)
http://www.help.gv.at/Content.Node/37/Seite.370101.html#allgemein
(general information on au-pair employment)
http://www.ams.at/_docs/Au-pair-Mustervertrag_08.pdf (au-pair standard form of contract)
Contact the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) or any of AMS regional offices to obtain
additional information about working as an au-pair for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries (a special
residence permit is required).
Au-pairs are not admitted to the regular labour market and do not obtain any entitlement to work nor
any right to free access to the labour market after expiry of their au-pair contract. The host family is
also not entitled to continue the employment of the au-pair.
Living & Working in Austria 2010
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