Whether you’re welcoming someone into your home or starting life in a new country - Kokun ensures everyone feels safe, supported, and seen.
Kokun isn’t a matching agency. It’s the care that comes after the match - helping both sides feel confident, connected, and cared for.
We created Kokun to make au pair experiences safer, kinder, and more connected, for everyone involved.
Many families don’t want to use a placement agency - and fair enough.
Finding an au pair yourself through social media, or platforms like AuPairWorld offers more flexibility, control, and lower costs.
But without professional guidance, things can easily get complicated.
What happens if your au pair gets injured? If expectations around hours, pay or duties aren’t clear? If the relationship breaks down?
Most people don’t realise that an au pair arrangement is, in many cases, an employment relationship - meaning families may have tax, superannuation and workers’ compensation obligations.
And for au pairs, unclear arrangements can lead to underpayment, lack of privacy, or unsafe conditions with nowhere to turn.
That’s where Kokun steps in.
Our wellbeing framework provides the structure, tools, and community to make living and working together easier - and safer. So you can focus on what matters: shared experiences, not shared stress.
Why host families and au pairs choose Kokun
Should you host an au-pair?
We often see families asking what the minimum they can pay an au pair is, which usually reflects confusion about how these arrangements work. Au pairs are employees and must be paid at least minimum wage, with accommodation and board able to be offset only when things are structured correctly.
Kokun helps families understand the full picture and set up an arrangement that’s clear, ethical, and genuinely positive for everyone involved.
You can download our free information guide here on what is involved in hosting an au-pair, which includes an example pay calculator to help you estimate the costs involved.
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Hosting an au pair means welcoming a young adult into your home, not just your childcare routine. At minimum, you’ll need a private bedroom and reasonable access to shared spaces. Families also need to consider privacy, noise, and whether everyone is comfortable sharing their home long-term.
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An au pair can be a cost-effective childcare option, but it isn’t “cheap.” Beyond weekly pay, families need to factor in room and board, tax, insurance, transport costs, compliance obligations, and occasional extras like driving lessons or additional support. It’s important to be comfortable with the full financial picture before proceeding.
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Most au pairs are aged 18–21 and are navigating independence in a new country. That means social lives, different routines, and cultural habits that may not mirror your own.
Successful hosting requires flexibility, clear boundaries, and a willingness to communicate openly when things feel uncomfortable.
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An au pair is both part of your household and your employee - and balancing those roles takes intention.
Families need to be comfortable setting expectations around hours, duties, and boundaries, while still maintaining warmth and respect.
Blurred lines are one of the most common sources of tension in au pair arrangements.
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Hosting an au pair usually involves employment obligations - including pay, tax, insurance, and workplace safety - even when the arrangement feels informal.
Many families struggle not because they don’t care, but because they weren’t properly informed.
Understanding these responsibilities upfront protects both your family and your au pair.
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Even well-matched arrangements can hit bumps - homesickness, miscommunication, or changing family needs.
Families who thrive are those willing to seek guidance early rather than hoping issues resolve themselves.
Support, structure, and neutral advice can make the difference between a difficult experience and a positive one.
Kokun is not an agency
How it works
Whether you’re hosting or being hosted, Kokun helps you start off on the right foot - with safety, structure, and support that last beyond day one.
We don’t place people. We’re not here to fill quotas or make commissions. Our only incentive is to make sure both sides have a fair, positive, and sustainable experience.
Because when arrangements aren’t set up properly - when pay or duties aren’t documented, or when expectations aren’t aligned - things can unravel quickly.
Too often, families are told it’s “just cultural exchange.” But good intentions don’t protect you, or your au pair, if something goes wrong.
Picture this: your au pair breaks her ankle at the playground while watching the children. Because the arrangement wasn’t formalised, she’s legally classed as an employee - but without any workers’ compensation cover.
Now you’re paying her while she can’t work, hiring extra help, and covering medical bills - all out of pocket.
It’s stressful, expensive, and unfair to both sides. Kokun exists so this never happens.
We design your arrangement to be safe, clear, and compliant - protecting everyone involved and allowing you to focus on what matters: a positive, supported experience together.
For Au Pairs
Settle in with confidence.
Moving across the world to live with strangers takes courage.
Too often, au pairs are dropped into family homes without structure or support: unclear expectations, inconsistent pay, and no one to turn to when things feel uncomfortable. And when your home is also your workplace, it’s even harder to speak up.
That’s why Kokun takes your wellbeing seriously - from day one.
What we do for you:
Accommodation & Family Check - We independently review your living setup so you know what’s waiting for you is safe and fair.
Onboarding Tools & Guides - How to communicate boundaries, navigate tricky moments, and reset expectations when needed.
One-Month Check-In - A settling-in review to make sure you’re comfortable and confident.
Community Connection - Monthly Kokun events where you can meet other au pairs, share experiences, and feel part of something.
Because being part of a family shouldn’t mean losing your independence - it should mean being supported as you grow.
For Host Families
Host with clarity, care, and confidence.
Opening your home to an au pair can be rewarding - but it also comes with responsibility. Most au pairs are just 18–21 - legally adults, but still finding their way. Many families are unsure how to set boundaries, manage expectations, or handle things if they go off track.
Kokun gives you the tools and guidance to create a positive experience - for you and your au pair.
What we do for you:
Family & Accommodation Check – Ensure your home environment meets fair hosting standards, which gives your au pair comfort before they arrive.
Expectation-Setting Toolkit – Help everyone align on duties, hours, pay, and privacy.
Contract Templates – Reviewed by employment experts, ready to use nationally.
Support Reviews – Optional one-month check-in and mediation support if challenges arise.
Discounts with preferred providers – saving you money and making your compliance obligations easy.
Hosting should feel rewarding, not risky. We make sure it stays that way.
CTA: [Explore Family Support Packages]
Pricing
$549
Kokun Au-Pair Package
What’s Included
Accommodation & Family Check
An independent review of your home setup to confirm it meets fair hosting standards - privacy, safety, and suitability.
Expectation-Setting Toolkit
Practical templates and conversation guides to help you align early on duties, hours, time off, and boundaries.
Nationally Compliant Contract Template
Professionally drafted and reviewed by employment lawyers, ready for use in any Australian state or territory.
Introductions to Kokun-Preferred Payroll & Insurance Partners
We connect you with trusted providers who offer exclusive discounted rates for Kokun members - simplifying payroll, superannuation, and workers’ compensation compliance.
Onboarding Guidance Call
A 30-minute session with a Kokun advisor to clarify expectations, answer questions, and start the arrangement on the right foot.
One-Month Wellbeing Review
A structured check-in to ensure both sides are comfortable and aligned - catching small issues before they become big ones.
Access to the Kokun Community
Join our network of au pairs and families. Attend monthly events, connect online, and share experiences in a supportive environment.