How Much Do Au Pairs Get Paid in Canada?
September 10th, 2026
Are you considering hiring an Au Pair in Canada, one of the first questions you are likely to ask is:
How much do Au Pairs get paid in Canada?
Au Pair who is working for a Canadian family must be paid in accordance with the applicable employment standards in the province or territory where they are working.
In other words, an Au Pair must not simply be paid “pocket money.”
How Much Should You Pay an Au Pair in Canada?
As a general rule, an Au Pair must receive at least the applicable minimum wage for the hours they work, subject to the employment standards and any special domestic-worker rules in their province or territory.
As of September 2026, general minimum wages across Canada range from approximately $15.00 to $20.17 per hour.
| Province or Territory | General Minimum Wage – September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Alberta | $15.00/hour* |
| British Columbia | $18.25/hour |
| Manitoba | $16.00/hour |
| New Brunswick | $15.90/hour |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $16.35/hour |
| Northwest Territories | $17.20/hour |
| Nova Scotia | $16.75/hour |
| Nunavut | $20.17/hour |
| Ontario | $17.60/hour |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.00/hour |
| Quebec | $16.60/hour |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35/hour |
| Yukon | $18.51/hour |
Important: These rates change regularly, and special rules may apply to domestic or live-in employees. For example, Alberta has a separate monthly minimum wage for certain domestic employees who live in their employer’s home. Families should always check the current employment standards for their province before setting an Au Pair’s wage.
Several increases are also already scheduled for October 1, 2026, including Ontario at $17.95, Manitoba at $16.40, Nova Scotia at $17.00 and Saskatchewan at $15.70 per hour.
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Can You Pay an Au Pair “Pocket Money” in Canada?
This is one of the biggest areas of confusion for Canadian families.
Calling an Au Pair’s compensation “pocket money” does not allow a family to avoid Canadian employment standards. When an Au Pair is working as an employee, the family must comply with the applicable wage and employment rules.
A weekly payment of a few hundred dollars may therefore not be enough if it does not meet the required wage for the actual hours worked.
Do Families Have to Set Up Payroll for an Au Pair?
In many typical family employment arrangements, yes.
The Canada Revenue Agency explains that when a family hires a caregiver, babysitter or domestic worker and the worker is considered an employee, the employer generally has responsibilities for payroll deductions including:
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions
- Employment Insurance (EI) premiums
- Income tax
The employer must also report applicable employment income on a T4 slip.
This is another reason Canadian families should look at the total cost of hiring an Au Pair, rather than only the hourly wage.
There may be employer CPP and EI contributions, vacation pay, workers’ compensation requirements and other provincial obligations to consider.
Can Families Deduct Room and Board From an Au Pair’s Pay?
Possibly — but this is another area where the rules vary by province.
Families should never assume that providing a bedroom and meals allows them to substantially reduce an Au Pair’s wages.
Each province has its own rules regarding what, if anything, can be charged or deducted for room and board.
For example, in British Columbia, employers may charge a domestic worker up to $325 per month for room and board, where permitted, and the employee must agree in writing before deductions are taken.
Ontario has different rules and specific maximum amounts that can be recognized for private rooms and meals.
Families should therefore check the rules in their own province rather than following an Au Pair arrangement they found online from another province — or another country.
Hiring an Au Pair in Canada
Hiring an Au Pair can provide Canadian families with flexible childcare and valuable day-to-day support, but it is important to set up the placement properly.
International Nannies and Homecare Ltd. helps families understand the Au Pair placement process, meet pre-screened candidates with legal work authorization and establish clear expectations before the placement begins.
We work only with Host Families who agree to follow applicable employment standards and fair employment practices.
Considering hiring an Au Pair in Canada?
Learn more about our available Au Pairs or book a 10-minute chat with our coordinator to find out how the process works.
International Nannies and Homecare Ltd.
Helping Canadian families since 1998
internationalnannies.com
[email protected]
1.800.820.8308