About Us
The Cultural Au Pair Association of Australia (CAPAA) was established in 2012 to ensure the setting of industry standards and to protect the au pair experience as a rewarding cultural exchange.
We are the only recognised Au Pair Industry Association in Australia and our members are professional agencies who ensure the au pair experience is a safe and successful experience for both families and au pairs.
CAPAA’s Goals are:
- To promote au pair programmes among young people throughout the world in order to both assist in the development of friendly, peaceful relations and strengthen cultural ties between Australia and other nations;
- To secure mutual understanding and cooperation between all members of the Association including conferences, seminars, exchange of information;
- To lobby government to treat au pair programmes as cultural exchange and not as work;
- To establish guidelines for our Agency Members and the treatment of au pairs and host families:
- To ensure the professionalism of Association Members and to monitor their conduct.
CAPAA is a member of the International Au Pair Association (IAPA). IAPA is the leading global trade association for organisations active in all aspects of au pair and cultural exchange programmes. IAPA has more than 170 member organisations active in 45 countries worldwide.
Protect Yourself
It is important to note that there is no official au pair program and as such there is much mis information circulating online that is very confusing. For example, many websites and social media platforms are promising Au pair services that do not exist and/or requesting fees under false pretenses.
We urge you to carefully research any internet-based agency – especially online matching services that provide inexpensive alternatives for securing an au pair placement as there are potential risks in arranging a placement in this manner.
Here are just some of the potential risks you face when not using a reputable au pair agency:
- Limited or no understanding of Australian regulations and visa requirements
- No support during the placement
- Not registered as an Australian business entity so no opportunity for legal recourse
- High probability of unsuitable au pair or host family candidates
- Absence of a written contract
- Little or no experience in the au pair industry
- Non-existent standards or guidelines
- Lack of criminal checks, reference checks, health checks
- No help if initial placement is unsuccessful
If you are an Agency looking to join CAPAA , please contact us for more information
If you are a family or au pair interested in finding a CAPAA Agency, please contact any of our Agency Members.
Recent News
CAPAA Warns Host Families not to Trust ‘Rogue’ Agents
The Cultural Au Pair Association of Australia (CAPAA) is encouraged to share that Consumer Protection in Western Australia is warning families looking for Au Pairs, not to trust rogue ‘agent’
The death of the Au Pair Industry in the UK – Article from the TIMES
A minimum wage ruling and the impact of Brexit have ruined the tradition of the au pair exchange for families in the UK Jo Twumasi-Ankrah is in despair. “I’m just
Visa Update
CAPAA is pleased to confirm that the rules around the restriction of working for the same employer for more than 6 months on either of the Working Holiday visas (417