No law or licensing body sets the requirements for an au pair in South Africa. Families and agencies set their own, so what you need depends on who you apply to. What is fixed is the employment side: childcare in a private home falls under the domestic worker rules, which set working hours, notice and a minimum wage.
The national minimum wage is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, and the Department of Employment and Labour says it applies to domestic workers (see its minimum wage flyer). A written agreement and a police clearance certificate are the most useful things to have in place.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
There is no official checklist. Families and agencies commonly look at:
- Your references and childcare experience
- A police clearance certificate
- Whether you can meet the family’s schedule, including any live-in arrangement
- Any extras the family wants, such as a driving licence or first aid training
A driving licence, matric and a first aid certificate are family or agency preferences, not legal requirements. Ask the family or agency what they want before you spend money on a course.
Education and Subject Requirements
No qualification is set by law for au pairs. Some families ask for matric or childcare-related study, and agencies may have their own entry standards. Confirm each one with the family or agency, as it is their policy.
Age, Fitness, Licence and Background Requirements
A police clearance certificate is the main background check. The SAPS charges R190 per application, and finalisation takes approximately 15 working days from receipt. Certificates not collected within three months after finalisation are destroyed. See the SAPS clearance certificate page for how to apply.
For au pair programmes abroad, age limits and visa categories are set by the destination country’s immigration authority, so ask that country’s embassy or immigration service. They are not the same as anything that applies in South Africa.
Documents and Evidence Required
Typically you would prepare:
- A copy of your identity document
- A police clearance certificate
- Contactable references from previous childcare work
- Any qualifications or certificates you hold, if the family asks for them
- A written employment agreement
Application and Selection Process
There is no official application channel. To apply for an au pair position, you apply to a family or an agency. Each sets its own selection steps. Put the arrangement in writing: hours, duties, pay, overtime, notice and what happens in school holidays.
Sectoral Determination 7 (see the gazetted determination) defines a domestic worker to include a person who takes care of children in a private household. It does not use the term au pair, so ask the Department of Employment and Labour how it applies to your arrangement. Its main rules are:
- The employer must give written particulars of employment, including the notice period
- Ordinary hours may not exceed 45 hours in a week, and nine hours a day (five days or fewer) or eight hours a day (more than five days)
- Overtime only by agreement, and not more than 15 hours a week
- Notice is given in writing: one week if employed six months or less, four weeks if more than six months
- The national minimum wage applies, and allowances and benefits are excluded from the calculation
The wage tables in the 2002 determination are out of date and superseded by the national minimum wage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the au pair requirements in South Africa?
None are set by law. Families and agencies decide, and references and a police clearance are the usual checks. The employment terms follow the domestic worker rules above.
How do I apply to be an au pair?
Apply to a family or an agency. There is no government application. Get your police clearance and references ready, and agree the terms in writing.
Do I need a driving licence or first aid certificate?
Not by law. They are what some families prefer, so ask before you invest in them.
Do employment laws apply to au pairs?
Childcare in a private household falls within the domestic worker definition, which brings in the hours, notice and minimum wage rules. Confirm your case with the Department of Employment and Labour.
What about au pairing overseas?
Age limits and visa categories are set by the destination country, so ask its embassy or immigration authority.
Confirm your rights with the Department of Employment and Labour. See the job requirements hub and browse all career requirements.