Household & domestic workers Jobs in New zealand

Why Work in the Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand

Growing Demand for Household Support

New Zealand families increasingly rely on household and domestic workers due to busy lifestyles, dual-income households, and the need for childcare and elderly care. This creates steady demand and job security.

Opportunities for Skilled and Semi-Skilled Workers

Household and domestic work provides opportunities for people with varied skill levels. Whether experienced in caregiving, cleaning, or general household management, workers can find suitable employment.

Supportive Work Environment

Many households in New Zealand value respectful and professional relationships with their workers, creating a safe and supportive environment for both local and migrant employees.

Pathway for Migrant Workers

For migrants, domestic and household work can serve as an entry point into New Zealand’s workforce. It allows workers to gain local experience, build connections, and potentially explore other long-term opportunities.

Flexible Working Arrangements

Household and domestic jobs often offer flexibility in terms of hours and schedules. This makes it a practical option for people balancing family, education, or other commitments.

Creative Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand for International Candidates

Category	Description	Opportunities for International Candidates
Childcare & Nanny Services	Providing care, supervision, and early learning activities for children in private homes.	Demand for nannies with teaching or childcare experience; chance to work with multicultural families.
Elderly & Disability Care	Supporting seniors and people with disabilities with daily routines, companionship, and personal care.	Skilled caregivers are highly valued; training or experience in healthcare is a strong advantage.
Housekeeping & Cleaning	General household upkeep including cleaning, laundry, and organizing.	Entry-level pathway for migrants with minimal prior experience; flexible hours available.
Cooking & Meal Preparation	Preparing nutritious meals tailored to family needs and dietary preferences.	Candidates with culinary skills or passion for cooking can stand out; opportunity for cultural food exchange.
Home Management & Assistance	Coordinating household tasks, errands, shopping, and sometimes managing staff.	Suits experienced domestic workers with organizational skills; can lead to long-term trusted roles.
Pet Care & Household Support	Caring for pets, walking, feeding, and assisting with household routines.	Great for animal lovers; adds value to a domestic worker’s profile and increases job prospects.

Types of Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand

1. Nannies and Babysitters

Provide childcare, supervision, and educational support for children in private homes.

2. Caregivers and Support Workers

Assist elderly individuals, people with disabilities, or those needing extra support with daily activities, personal care, and companionship.

3. Housekeepers

Manage cleaning, laundry, organization, and general upkeep of the home to maintain cleanliness and order.

4. Domestic Cleaners

Specialize in regular or deep cleaning services for private homes, often on a part-time or casual basis.

5. Cooks and Household Chefs

Prepare daily meals, manage kitchen supplies, and accommodate dietary requirements or cultural preferences.

6. Au Pairs

Usually international candidates who live with a host family, providing childcare and light household duties in exchange for accommodation, meals, and a stipend.

7. Home Managers/Personal Assistants

Oversee household operations, coordinate errands, organize schedules, and sometimes manage other domestic staff.

8. Gardeners and Outdoor Helpers

Maintain gardens, lawns, and outdoor spaces as part of household upkeep.

9. Pet Sitters and Pet Care Workers

Take care of family pets, including feeding, walking, grooming, and sometimes overnight care.

Average Salary of Top 20 Job Profile of Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand

Job Profile	Average Salary (Monthly, NZD)	USD Equivalent	INR Equivalent
Nanny	3,500	2,135	178,500
Babysitter (part-time)	2,000	1,220	102,000
Elderly Caregiver	3,800	2,318	193,800
Disability Support Worker	3,900	2,379	198,900
Housekeeper	3,200	1,952	163,200
Domestic Cleaner	2,800	1,708	142,800
Cook / Household Chef	3,600	2,196	183,600
Au Pair (stipend + benefits)	1,200	732	61,200
Home Manager	4,500	2,745	229,500
Personal Assistant (Domestic)	4,000	2,440	204,000
Gardener / Outdoor Helper	3,000	1,830	153,000
Pet Care Worker	2,500	1,525	127,500
Chauffeur / Family Driver	3,800	2,318	193,800
Household Maintenance Worker	3,400	2,074	173,400
Laundry Attendant	2,700	1,647	137,700
House Supervisor	4,200	2,562	214,200
Butler / Steward	4,800	2,928	244,800
Childcare Assistant (Home-based)	3,000	1,830	153,000
Live-in Domestic Worker	3,200	1,952	163,200
General Household Helper	2,600	1,586	132,600

Job Eligibility to Work in Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand for International Job Applicants.

Eligibility Criteria	Details for International Applicants
Valid Work Visa	Must hold a legal visa that allows employment (e.g., Accredited Employer Work Visa, Essential Skills Work Visa, or Working Holiday Visa for short-term jobs).
Job Offer from NZ Employer	A confirmed job offer or employment agreement from a New Zealand household, agency, or accredited employer is usually required.
Age Requirement	Minimum 18 years for most domestic jobs; some caregiver roles may prefer 21+.
Health Requirements	Must undergo a medical exam to prove fitness for work, especially for caregiving and live-in roles.
Character Requirement	Police clearance from the home country and any country lived in for 5+ years after age 17.
English Language Skills	Basic to moderate English proficiency is required to communicate with families and employers.
Relevant Experience	Prior experience in childcare, elderly care, housekeeping, or domestic services is often preferred but not mandatory for all roles.
Qualifications (if applicable)	Caregiver roles may require first-aid training, nursing assistant certificates, or caregiving diplomas.
Background Check	Safety checks for those working with children, elderly, or vulnerable people under the Children’s Act 2014.
Financial Stability	Must show ability to support oneself until first salary is received (proof of funds sometimes needed for visa).

General Roles and Responsibilities in Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand with 20 Job Profiles

Job Profile	General Roles & Responsibilities
Nanny	Provide childcare, supervise daily routines, assist with homework, plan educational and recreational activities.
Babysitter	Look after children for short periods, ensure safety, prepare snacks, and engage in playtime.
Elderly Caregiver	Assist seniors with personal care, mobility support, meal preparation, and companionship.
Disability Support Worker	Help people with disabilities in daily living tasks, therapy assistance, and social engagement.
Housekeeper	Manage cleaning, laundry, organizing rooms, and maintaining household cleanliness.
Domestic Cleaner	Perform regular or deep cleaning tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, kitchen and bathroom cleaning.
Cook / Household Chef	Prepare meals, follow dietary needs, grocery shopping, and maintain kitchen hygiene.
Au Pair	Provide childcare and light household duties while living with a host family; cultural exchange role.
Home Manager	Supervise household staff, coordinate schedules, manage household budgets and errands.
Personal Assistant (Domestic)	Organize employer’s personal tasks, manage appointments, handle shopping and travel arrangements.
Gardener / Outdoor Helper	Maintain gardens, lawns, outdoor cleaning, and seasonal landscaping.
Pet Care Worker	Feed, walk, groom, and supervise pets; sometimes provide overnight care.
Chauffeur / Family Driver	Drive family members safely, maintain vehicles, and assist with errands or school runs.
Household Maintenance Worker	Conduct minor repairs, oversee maintenance needs, and coordinate external service providers.
Laundry Attendant	Wash, iron, fold, and maintain household linens and clothing.
House Supervisor	Oversee daily household operations, delegate tasks to staff, and ensure smooth running of the home.
Butler / Steward	Manage formal household service, set tables, serve meals, greet guests, and oversee hospitality.
Childcare Assistant (Home-based)	Support main caregiver, engage children in learning activities, and ensure safety at home.
Live-in Domestic Worker	Perform multiple household duties (cleaning, cooking, childcare) while residing with employer.
General Household Helper	Assist with a variety of tasks such as cleaning, cooking, childcare, gardening, and errands.

General Job Eligibility to work in Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand with 20 Job Profiles

Job Profile	General Eligibility Criteria
Nanny	Minimum 18 years, childcare experience preferred, first-aid/CPR training advantageous, police clearance required.
Babysitter	Minimum 18 years, basic childcare skills, flexible availability, no formal qualifications needed.
Elderly Caregiver	Prior caregiving/healthcare experience, medical fitness, police clearance, may require caregiver or nursing certificate.
Disability Support Worker	Experience in disability care, first-aid training, background checks under Children’s Act 2014, patience and communication skills.
Housekeeper	Basic cleaning and organizing skills, no formal education required, reliability and attention to detail.
Domestic Cleaner	Entry-level role, no experience required but preferred, ability to work independently, physically fit.
Cook / Household Chef	Experience in cooking or culinary background, knowledge of nutrition and hygiene, ability to plan menus.
Au Pair	Age 18–30, basic English, childcare interest/experience, cultural exchange program participation, police clearance.
Home Manager	Strong organizational skills, prior household management experience, ability to supervise staff, English proficiency.
Personal Assistant (Domestic)	Minimum 2–3 years experience in administration/household support, excellent communication skills, trustworthiness.
Gardener / Outdoor Helper	Knowledge of gardening/landscaping, physical fitness, ability to handle outdoor equipment.
Pet Care Worker	Experience with pets preferred, love for animals, reliability, flexible working hours.
Chauffeur / Family Driver	Valid NZ or international driver’s license (convertible), clean driving record, knowledge of routes, discretion.
Household Maintenance Worker	Basic repair/maintenance skills, trade experience preferred, physically fit, ability to work independently.
Laundry Attendant	No formal qualifications required, ability to operate laundry equipment, attention to fabric care.
House Supervisor	Leadership and organizational skills, prior domestic management experience, good communication, background check.
Butler / Steward	Professional service skills, hospitality experience, excellent etiquette, discretion, ability to handle formal duties.
Childcare Assistant (Home-based)	Experience with children, first-aid certificate preferred, background checks required, patience and creativity.
Live-in Domestic Worker	Flexible availability, willingness to live with employer, general household skills, reliability and trustworthiness.
General Household Helper	No formal education required, ability to assist with multiple household tasks, adaptability, physical stamina.

Experience Required to work in Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand

Job Profile	Experience Required
Nanny	1–2 years childcare experience preferred; first-aid/CPR knowledge is an advantage.
Babysitter	No formal experience required; basic childcare skills and responsibility are essential.
Elderly Caregiver	1–3 years in caregiving, healthcare, or aged care preferred; some roles require caregiver/nursing certificates.
Disability Support Worker	Prior experience in disability care or social work required; training in support services often preferred.
Housekeeper	6 months–2 years in housekeeping or cleaning roles preferred; entry-level opportunities available.
Domestic Cleaner	No formal experience required; training usually provided on the job.
Cook / Household Chef	2–3 years in cooking or hospitality roles; professional culinary background preferred.
Au Pair	No formal experience required; childcare interest or babysitting experience preferred.
Home Manager	3–5 years of household management or supervisory experience highly preferred.
Personal Assistant (Domestic)	2–3 years of administrative or personal support experience required.
Gardener / Outdoor Helper	1–2 years gardening or landscaping experience preferred; entry-level jobs available.
Pet Care Worker	No formal experience required; prior pet handling experience preferred.
Chauffeur / Family Driver	2+ years of safe driving experience with a clean license record.
Household Maintenance Worker	2–3 years in maintenance or trade skills (plumbing, electrical, carpentry) preferred.
Laundry Attendant	No formal experience required; prior laundry or housekeeping experience helpful.
House Supervisor	3–5 years in supervisory or household management roles required.
Butler / Steward	3+ years in hospitality, service, or luxury household roles; professional training preferred.
Childcare Assistant (Home-based)	1–2 years childcare or babysitting experience preferred; training in early childhood care helpful.
Live-in Domestic Worker	No formal experience required; multitasking ability and reliability essential.
General Household Helper	No formal experience required; entry-level opportunity for beginners.

Top Hiring Companies in New Zealand of International Candidates in Household and Domestic Workers

Company / Agency	Specialization	Hiring Focus for International Candidates
Care.com New Zealand	Online platform for domestic work	Childcare, elderly care, housekeeping, babysitting jobs with families.
Nannies Plus	Professional nanny and au pair agency	Nannies, au pairs, and babysitters for international applicants.
Home Instead Senior Care NZ	Aged care and elderly support	Caregivers, support workers, and live-in care assistants.
ElderCare New Zealand	Senior care and home support	International caregivers with aged-care experience.
Au Pair Link	Au pair and cultural exchange program	Au pairs (live-in childcare roles) for international youth (18–30).
Household Staffing NZ	Private household staff recruitment	Butlers, housekeepers, cooks, chauffeurs, personal assistants.
Geneva Healthcare	Healthcare and home support services	Disability support workers, caregivers, home assistants.
Heritage Lifecare	Residential and in-home elderly care	International caregivers and healthcare assistants.
Nurse Maude NZ	Home nursing and care services	Caregivers, healthcare support workers, domestic helpers.
Drake Medox NZ	Healthcare recruitment agency	Caregivers, disability support workers, home aides.
Life Plus Recruitment	Healthcare and support services	Domestic caregivers, home helpers, and personal care assistants.
Absolute Domestics	Household cleaning services	Cleaners and housekeepers (entry-level international hires possible).
Bupa New Zealand	Aged care and home care provider	Care assistants, home carers, and live-in support workers.
Oceania Healthcare	Senior care and residential homes	International care workers and household support staff.
HealthCare NZ	Nationwide healthcare provider	Disability support, caregivers, and live-in assistants.
Eden Nannies & Home Help	Household staffing	Nannies, babysitters, housekeepers, home managers.
Mycare NZ	Online home services marketplace	Matching workers with families for childcare, elderly care, and cleaning.
Au Pair New Zealand	Cultural exchange and childcare	International au pairs for families across New Zealand.
Domestic Angels	Home cleaning and domestic support	Housekeepers, cleaners, and household helpers.
Southern Cross Care	Home and community care	Elderly care, home health aides, and support workers.

Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand, Job Profiles with Salary, Job Requirements, Top Hiring Companies, General Roles and Responsibilities

Job Profile	Average Salary (Monthly, NZD)	General Job Requirements	Top Hiring Companies	General Roles & Responsibilities
Nanny	3,500	1–2 yrs childcare exp., first-aid cert., police clearance	Nannies Plus, Eden Nannies, Care.com	Childcare, homework help, planning activities
Babysitter	2,000	Age 18+, basic childcare skills, flexible hours	Care.com, Mycare NZ	Supervise kids, ensure safety, prepare snacks
Elderly Caregiver	3,800	Caregiving exp., medical fitness, caregiver cert. preferred	Home Instead, Bupa NZ, Nurse Maude	Personal care, companionship, meal prep
Disability Support Worker	3,900	Exp. in disability care, first-aid training	Geneva Healthcare, HealthCare NZ	Assist with mobility, therapy, daily routines
Housekeeper	3,200	Cleaning exp. preferred, reliable, organized	Household Staffing NZ, Absolute Domestics	Cleaning, laundry, organizing household
Domestic Cleaner	2,800	Entry-level, physically fit, attention to detail	Domestic Angels, Mycare NZ	Regular/deep cleaning, kitchen/bath upkeep
Cook / Household Chef	3,600	Culinary skills, cooking exp., hygiene knowledge	Household Staffing NZ, Eden Nannies	Prepare meals, grocery shopping, menu planning
Au Pair	1,200 (stipend + stay)	Age 18–30, childcare interest, cultural exchange visa	Au Pair Link, Au Pair New Zealand	Childcare, light household duties, cultural exchange
Home Manager	4,500	3–5 yrs exp., organizational skills, English proficiency	Household Staffing NZ	Manage staff, errands, household budget
Personal Assistant (Domestic)	4,000	Admin exp., trustworthiness, communication skills	Life Plus Recruitment, Household Staffing	Manage schedules, errands, household admin
Gardener / Outdoor Helper	3,000	Gardening knowledge, physical fitness	Mycare NZ, Domestic Angels	Lawn care, gardening, outdoor upkeep
Pet Care Worker	2,500	Love for animals, flexible hours	Care.com, Mycare NZ	Feeding, walking, grooming, overnight care
Chauffeur / Family Driver	3,800	Valid NZ/international license, clean driving record	Household Staffing NZ	Drive family safely, maintain vehicles
Household Maintenance Worker	3,400	Repair/maintenance exp., trade skills preferred	Mycare NZ, Life Plus Recruitment	Basic repairs, coordinate external contractors
Laundry Attendant	2,700	No exp. required, fabric care knowledge	Absolute Domestics, Domestic Angels	Washing, ironing, folding clothes/linens
House Supervisor	4,200	Supervisory exp., organizational skills	Household Staffing NZ	Supervise staff, assign tasks, manage operations
Butler / Steward	4,800	3+ yrs hospitality exp., etiquette training	Household Staffing NZ	Serve meals, greet guests, formal household service
Childcare Assistant (Home-based)	3,000	Childcare exp., first-aid training, police check	Eden Nannies, Au Pair Link	Assist main caregiver, engage children in learning
Live-in Domestic Worker	3,200	Multi-tasking ability, willingness to live-in	Household Staffing NZ, Care.com	Cleaning, cooking, childcare, errands
General Household Helper	2,600	Entry-level, adaptability, physical stamina	Domestic Angels, Absolute Domestics	Assist with cleaning, cooking, errands, childcare

Visa Options for Household and Domestic Workers in New Zealand

Visa Type	Eligibility Criteria	Suitable For	Notes
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)	Job offer from an accredited NZ employer, meet health & character requirements, English proficiency	Caregivers, support workers, housekeepers, cooks, household managers	Most common pathway for domestic and caregiving jobs; employer must be accredited.
Essential Skills Work Visa (phasing into AEWV)	Job offer in shortage or high-demand roles, meet wage thresholds	Caregivers, disability support workers, cleaners, household helpers	Previously common, now largely replaced by AEWV; still relevant for some workers.
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa	Work in approved caregiving role with eligible employer, meet income threshold	Caregivers, elderly support workers, disability support workers	Provides a pathway to residency after 2 years in eligible caregiving roles.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa	Points-based system (age, skills, experience, qualifications), job offer in NZ	Senior domestic roles (home managers, butlers, chefs)	Suitable for highly skilled or supervisory household workers.
Working Holiday Visa	Age 18–30 (some countries up to 35), limited stay (6–12 months), proof of funds	Au pairs, babysitters, general household helpers	Not a long-term option; allows casual or short-term domestic work.
Partnership-Based Work Visa	Partner of NZ citizen/resident or visa holder, meet relationship proof	All domestic roles	Allows flexible work rights in household/domestic sectors.
Student & Trainee Work Visa	Full-time students with part-time work rights	Cleaners, babysitters, helpers (part-time only)	Only allows 20 hours per week during studies.
Specific Purpose Work Visa	For a specific short-term role or contract	Domestic staff for private households/events	Typically short-term; employer must justify special need.
Residence from Work Visa	Transition from AEWV or Care Workforce Visa after set period	Caregivers, household managers, skilled domestic workers	Pathway to permanent residency for long-term workers.
Working Holiday Maker Extension Visa	Extension of WHV for additional months	Au pairs, household helpers	Extension possible if working in approved sectors.