What is a Babysitter Contract?
A Babysitter Contract is a legal agreement between a babysitter and a client.
It covers all of the important terms and conditions, such as services, fees, payment terms, cancellations/refunds, and limitation of liability.
Do I need a Babysitter Contract?
Yes, absolutely! A contract protects both the babysitter and the client..
Our Babysitter Contract template will help to set the ground rules in black and white so everyone is clear on their obligations and how everything will work. If there is ever a dispute or a problem, you can refer back to the contract.
A babysitter is taking on a fair amount of risk looking after someone else’s children, and we believe there is no job more important, so why not use a contract with your regular sitter for some peace of mind?
What does the template cover?
Our Babysitting Contract template covers everything you need:
★ Term – how long you will be engaged for
★ Services – description of the babysitting services
★ Fees – hourly rates for the babysitter
★ Expenses – reimbursement of any extra expenses incurred (e.g. groceries, takeaway etc)
★ Payment Terms – when and how fees will be paid
★ Work Environment – this clause is included to ensure a safe work environment
★ Cancellations and Refund Policy – how to manage cancellations and refunds
★ Confidentiality – to protect confidential information between the two parties
★ Warranties – important legal clause
★ Limitation of Liability – to protect you against claims for losses and damages
★ Dispute Resolution – process to manage a dispute if a problem arises
★ Termination – how either party can cancel the agreement
My family wants to hire a babysitter – can we use this Babysitter Contract?
Absolutely, that’s why we wrote it!
A contract is ideal to make sure everyone is on the same page.
You will just need to provide the contract to the babysitter before they start and ask them to fill in the blanks with their payment terms, hourly rates etc. Once you have both agreed, you can sign the last page to make it official.
Clearly communicating your expectations—and having a contract or agreement in place—can protect both parties.
Does it matter how often we use the same babysitter?
It’s completely up to you if you want to use a contract for your babysitter but we recommend it for regular or longer term engagements.
Generally speaking, the more often they babysit, the more helpful having a formal contract can be to manage expectations.
Can I use this Babysitter Contract template as a nanny or a family looking to employ a nanny?
No, it is NOT suitable for nannies or families looking to employ a nanny. You will need an employment contract in line with the National Employment Standards and conditions as set out by Fair Work Australia.
Many families pay their nanny an hourly rate without bothering with superannuation, PAYG tax and leave entitlements. Often this happens because the nanny advises the family that they have an ABN and are working as an independent contractor. Unfortunately, this is incorrect!
A nanny is usually classified as an employee by the ATO and they fall under the Miscellaneous Award.
Do I need to use this contract if a family member is looking after my kids?
No, it’s not common to make a family member sign a contract to look after your kids.
