Last verified: May 2026
Since July 2024, Filipino citizens have a clear visa pathway to Australia via the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). The cap is small — only 200 spots/year for Filipinos — and applicants must hold tertiary qualifications and English proficiency. Stipends are AUD $1,000–$1,500/month for 30–35 hours of childcare per week.
Australia's Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) opened to Filipino passport holders on 1 July 2024. This is a genuine new pathway — but it's tightly capped: only 200 first-time visas are issued to Filipinos per year, with applications going through an annual ballot from late June to mid-July.
Eligibility requires you to be 18–30, hold tertiary qualifications (or at least 2 years of post-secondary study), demonstrate functional English, have AUD $5,000 (~PHP 195,000) in savings to support yourself, hold a valid passport, and obtain a Letter of Concurrence from the Philippine government.
Pocket money is typically AUD $250–$350 per week for 30–35 hours of childcare — comparable to mid-tier European countries on a weekly basis but with significantly higher cost of living in Australian cities. You receive a private bedroom, full board, and most families contribute toward transport.
The visa allows you to work for the same employer for a maximum of 6 months. If you want to stay the full 12, you'll typically work with two host families consecutively. The visa also permits up to 4 months of study, so language certifications or short courses are possible.
Application fee: approximately AUD $650. Round-trip flights from Manila are AUD $1,000–$1,800 depending on season. Health insurance is your responsibility.
Australia has no formal au pair scheme — placements run on Work and Holiday Visas with cultural-exchange-style arrangements rather than formal employment contracts. Au pair is not specifically classified by the Fair Work Ombudsman, so be cautious: if the role becomes domestic-employment-shaped (set hours, performance reviews, supervised tasks), Fair Work minimums may apply.
Industry-standard arrangements are AUD $250–$350/week pocket money for 30–35 hours of childcare, with a private bedroom and full board on top. Some families help with the round-trip flight and visa fees.
The 6-month-per-employer cap on the 462 visa means most Filipino au pairs will only be available for half a year before needing to switch families. Plan accordingly — long-term continuity isn't a feature of this pathway.
Filipino candidates are an excellent fit culturally for Australian families: strong English, family-centred values, generally easy adaptation. The small annual cap (200) means demand will outpace supply — if you find a strong Filipino candidate, move quickly.