Au Pair in America

Culture Quests

Au Pairs in General | Child Care Practices | Driving Skills | English Language Skills
Education | Health | Diet | Religion | Telephone and Internet

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Australia. Although au pairs from this country may or may not have had these experiences/beliefs, Au Pair in America wishes to share this general information with our families.

Au Pairs in General

• English is the native language of Australia. The U.S. has a huge influence on Australia’s youth. American TV shows, movies, magazines, food, and fashions create trends that are quickly accepted in Australia.
• The idea of being an au pair is becoming more popular in Australia.
• Applicants from Australia are motivated by travel opportunities.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Australia.
• Young people in Australia have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity outside the home is confined to nude beaches and reserves. Australians are not prudish but do know that there is a time and place for nudity.
• Australians are outgoing, friendly, and adaptable.

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include time out and loss of privileges, e.g. no television for a week. Spanking is sometimes used as a last resort (particularly amongst the older generation).
• Applicants obtain child care experience through formal schooling, babysitting, tutoring, working at a summer camp, coaching sports, teaching Sunday school, or volunteering at a child care center.
• Usually the mother is primarily responsible for the child care responsibilities.
• It is not common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.

Driving Skills

• Drivers in the Australia drive on the left side of the road, so au pairs will need practice in the U.S.
• Please note that the individual states dictate the driving and licensing rules, so there may be variations to this information.
• The minimum driving age is age 16. Most applicants obtain their driving license between the ages of 16 and 19.
• A driving license is not difficult or expensive to obtain, though it is a multi-step process.
• It takes four years to obtain an unrestricted license in Australia.
• The steps involved in obtaining a driving license in Australia include:
  • Eye exam
  • Theoretical test
  • Learner’s permit – must have for 12 months and complete 120 hours of supervised driving practice, including 20 hours of night driving.
  • Practical test to obtain provisional license – must hold for 12 months.
  • Hazard perception test to obtain 2nd provisional license – must hold for 24 months.
  • Must complete Driver Qualification Test to obtain full driving license.
• The International Driving Permit is available.
• Applicants typically take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car; once they have started working, they will save money with the intention of buying a car.
• Cars have 50% manual and 50% automatic transmissions.

English Language Skills

• English is the official language of Australia.

Education

• Approximately 35% of young women continue their studies at University.
• Others enter the workforce, complete apprenticeships, attend TAFE (Technical and Further Education Colleges), or work and travel overseas, e.g. American summer camps.
• The academic year in Australia starts in February and ends in November.
• The educational opportunities of the Au Pair in America program are not a high priority for Australian applicants.
  

Health

• The most common inoculations are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella), and Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b).
• Young women are not inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• Australia has a free health service known as Medicare, though private health insurance is becoming more prevalent.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are becoming increasingly more common.

Diet

• Most young people in Australia eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is increasing in popularity.
• A typical Australian diet includes fresh food from a range of cultural backgrounds, including Italian, Asian, Indian, Mexican, and Turkish.
  

Religion

• The most common religions in Australia are Anglicanism and Catholicism.
• Most young people in Australia do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone and a computer with access to the Internet.
  

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