Invoice templates for au pairs and childcare workers covering weekly childcare hours, household duties, and live-out au pair arrangements.
An au pair invoice records fees for childcare and light household duties performed as part of a live-in or live-out au pair arrangement. UK au pairs traditionally live with a host family and provide 25–35 hours per week of childcare and light household duties in exchange for accommodation, meals, and a weekly allowance. Au pairs who provide more formal childcare services, particularly as live-out workers, may need to consider their employment status and any potential registration requirements. The UK au pair market has changed since Brexit — EU nationals now need a visa to work as an au pair in the UK, and there is no dedicated au pair visa. Many au pairs now operate as childcare workers with formal employment contracts. The invoice format is relevant for au pairs providing childcare on a self-employed basis (for multiple families) or documenting their earnings for tax purposes.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly childcare and household duties (25 hours) | 200 | week |
| Additional childcare hours (above agreed schedule) | 10 | hour |
| Evening babysitting (per evening, up to 4 hours) | 40 | evening |
| School run and after-school care (per day) | 25 | day |
| Holiday cover (full-time week, above standard hours) | 350 | week |
| Travel reimbursement (local public transport) | 1 | actual cost |
| Weekend childcare (per day) | 85 | day |
Au pairs in a traditional live-in arrangement are typically paid a weekly or fortnightly allowance, not a formal invoice. For those working on a more formal basis (multiple families, live-out, self-employed), invoicing weekly or monthly provides a clear record of income for HMRC Self Assessment. For families using Tax-Free Childcare to pay an au pair, note that TFC can only be used to pay Ofsted-registered childcare providers. A non-registered au pair is not eligible — families should clarify this with HMRC before making TFC claims. Keep records of all hours worked as an independent childcare worker — this supports any tax return and provides evidence if there is ever a dispute about hours or payment.