Coronavirus NSW: Push to make au pairs, nannies exempt from travel ban

Pressure is mounting on the federal government to exempt au pairs from international border restrictions because they are keeping parents at work.

Pressure is mounting on the federal government to exempt au pairs from the strict COVID-19 international border restrictions so regional parents and those in around-the-clock jobs can access affordable childcare.

The Cultural Au Pair Association of Australia called on the government to allow au pairs to enter Australia if they quarantine because they are vital to keeping Australian parents at work.

“This is to fill a critical gap; there are families out there with nurses and doctors who are talking about having to cut shifts and that impacts everyone,” the association’s Wendi Aylward said.

Ms Aylward runs her own nanny agency called AIFS Australia and said au pairs were now impossible to find.

Amanda Lifbom, 20, from Sweden is working in Sydney as an au-pair caring for Auralia, 7 and Carter, 2 but her working holiday visa will expire in a few months. Picture: David Swift

Her plea to the government comes after 63 international students were granted exemptions and allowed to enter Australia provided they quarantined.

Au pair agency Lavender Blue Nannies owner Rebecca Klimeck said parents had begun offering extra perks including increased wages, self-contained suites and use of the family car.

Naremburn mum Kristy Lee said her family had hosted 14 nannies in the past seven years because of the affordability and flexibility of the care, but next month, when their Swedish au pair Amanda Lifbom leaves, they will be without childcare.

“Au pairs are available, they’re flexible and affordable … at daycare you’re paying $200 a day versus someone who has a relationship with our child,” she said.

TV STAR’S COVID-SAFE CHRISTMAS

Smaller gatherings, sanitiser on the table, and a socially distanced Santa will be the new norm this Christmas – as experts urge families to remain alert even as coronavirus cases around the state dwindle.

Like many households in the country, Home And Away star Ada Nicodemou’s home will look different this Christmas with the bulk of her family overseas.

“I will still wake up on Christmas morning and open presents with (partner) Adam and (son) Johnas,” Nicodemou tells The Daily Telegraph.

“Then it’s lunch at my brother’s place with my mum.”

Ada Nicodemou is determined to make Christmas extra special this year as more Aussies than ever struggle with being away from loved ones. Picture: Supplied

But with Nicodemou’s mum in an at-risk category, it‘s important to her to keep the gathering COVID safe. “It will just be us hanging out. No one else is coming over,” she says. Nicodemou is part of Big W’s ‘Bring on the Love’ campaign, which aims to unite the 12 million Australians who won’t be seeing their families over the holidays due to COVID.

She’s asking people to place a love heart in their street facing windows to let neighbours and your community know they aren’t alone.

“Christmas will look different this year for a lot of people but that doesn’t mean it still can’t be joyous.”

“If this year has taught us anything it’s not to take any moment for granted and that’s what I will be doing.”

Nicodemou is spearheading a national community initiative with BIG W to connect communities around the country this Christmas. Picture: Supplied.

Australian Medical Association NSW President Danielle McMullen said small changes like Nicodemou’s window hearts, will go a long way this Christmas.

She advised families to keep hand sanitiser at the door and at the dinner table and to avoid buffet lunches and dinners.

“Things like keeping your glass to yourself can help and you are much better off with serving everyone’s lunch instead of throwing a big buffet,” she said.

“We are seeing restrictions ease, so we can’t afford to get complacent. If you have any symptoms give the celebration a miss and if it’s a large group event indoors with people you don’t live with, consider wearing a mask for an added layer of protection.”

HOW TO WORK OFF THOSE CHRISTMAS CALORIES