Nannies and childcare workers care for children in family homes and early learning centres across Australia — keeping them safe, fed, active and learning through play. Families hire full-time and part-time nannies, and centres hire educators and assistants year-round. This page explains what the work usually involves, what employers usually ask for, how to stay safe while job hunting, and how to apply through a verified job board.
Salary and visa details below are GENERAL GUIDANCE ONLY. Pay varies by employer, state, hours, and experience. Many childcare roles are paid under an award. Always check the official posting before you apply.
Job Details
| Field | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Location | Australia — state and city as listed in the official posting |
| Job type | Full-time, part-time, or casual — as per official posting |
| Work setting | Private family home or early learning centre — as per official posting |
| Salary | General guidance only: pay varies by employer, state and experience, and many roles follow an award rate. Check the official posting for the exact rate. |
| Visa note | General only: many roles need an existing right to work in Australia. Check the official posting and official immigration pages. |
What the Work Usually Involves
Daily tasks
- Supervise children at all times and keep their environment safe.
- Prepare meals and snacks suited to the children's ages and any allergy plans.
- Do school and kindergarten drop-offs and pick-ups, and take children to activities.
- Plan play, stories, crafts and outdoor time suited to each age.
- Support routines, rest time, bathing and homework where agreed.
- Change nappies and support toilet training for younger children.
- Keep children's rooms, play areas and laundry tidy.
- Update parents on the day — food, sleep, activities and any concerns.
- In centre roles, follow the centre's learning framework, supervision and record-keeping rules.
What Employers Usually Ask For
Requirements
- Genuine childcare experience, with references employers can contact.
- A Working With Children Check for the state or territory — each state has its own name for this check, and it is a standard legal requirement.
- First aid training for children, often including asthma and anaphylaxis management, is widely requested.
- For centre-based educator roles, a Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care is commonly required; family nanny roles focus more on experience.
- Patience, energy and clear communication with parents.
- A driver's licence and own car are often requested for school runs.
- Legal right to work in Australia.
- Non-smoking is commonly requested.
Safety Note — Read Before You Apply
Childcare jobs involve trust on both sides, so protect yourself from the start. Use reputable nanny agencies or verified platforms such as SEEK, and be careful with adverts shared only through social media chats. Never pay upfront fees to an agency, recruiter or family for a job, a visa or paperwork — legitimate employers do not charge you to be hired. Check which working-with-children check the state requires (the Working With Children Check or its local equivalent) and apply through the official state service. Before accepting a live-in role, agree the hours, pay, days off, room and duties in writing, meet the family first, and keep your own documents — never hand over your passport.
How to Apply
- Read the full official posting — ages of children, hours, duties, pay and requirements.
- Check that you meet the listed requirements, including the Working With Children Check and first aid.
- Prepare a short CV focused on your childcare experience, the ages you have cared for and references.
- Apply only through the official link below.
- Save the posting and your application confirmation.
Apply here: Apply here — SEEK, verified live 2026-10-16: Australia's largest jobs platform. Search the role keyword "nanny" or "childcare" on that portal to see current listings. Apply link verified: 2026-10-16.
FAQ
What is a Working With Children Check? It is a mandatory background check for people who work with children in Australia. Each state and territory runs its own version under a slightly different name. You apply through the official state service, and most employers ask to see it before you start.
Do nannies in Australia need a qualification? Family nanny roles usually focus on experience, references, first aid and the Working With Children Check rather than formal qualifications. Centre-based educator roles commonly require a Certificate III or Diploma in early childhood education. Check the posting.
Are nanny jobs in Australia full-time? Both full-time and part-time roles are common, and some families hire casually for after-school care. The posting states the pattern and hours.
Can overseas applicants apply for childcare jobs in Australia? You can apply, but most roles require an existing right to work in Australia, such as a working holiday or other valid visa. Check the posting and official immigration pages.
Scam Warning
Never pay a fee to apply, to get a job offer, or to speed up a visa. If someone asks for payment, gift cards, or passport photos by chat, stop and verify through official channels.
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Image alt-text suggestion: "Nanny supervising children playing in a sunny garden."