Choosing someone to look after your children is a big decision. You are not simply looking for a person who can prepare meals or pick the kids up from school. You are looking for someone you can trust in your home and, most importantly, someone your children will feel comfortable with.
If you are hiring a nanny for the first time, the interview can feel a little overwhelming. What should you ask? Which answers matter most? And how can you tell whether someone will actually be a good fit for your family?
This nanny interview questions Australia checklist will help you have a relaxed but useful conversation with potential candidates.
1. Start With Their Childcare Experience
Begin with the basics. Ask the nanny about their previous experience and the types of families they have worked with.
Some useful questions include:
- How long have you worked as a nanny?
- What ages of children have you cared for?
- Have you looked after more than one child at a time?
- What did a typical day look like in your previous job?
- What did you enjoy most about your previous nanny role?
- Why did your last position end?
- Can you provide references from previous families?
Do not worry if the candidate does not have a perfect career history. Pay attention to how openly they talk about their experience and whether they can give real examples.
2. Talk About Nanny Responsibilities
Before you hire nanny support, make sure both sides understand what the job involves.
Every family is different. Some parents need help mainly with childcare, while others may need a nanny to manage school pickups, children's meals and after-school activities.
Common nanny responsibilities can include:
- Preparing meals and snacks for children
- School and childcare pickups
- Helping with homework
- Organising age-appropriate activities
- Taking children to sports or other activities
- Managing nap and bedtime routines
- Children's laundry
- Tidying toys and play areas
- Supporting everyday routines
Ask the candidate which of these tasks they have done before. It is also a good time to explain anything specific your family needs.
3. Ask About Their Approach to Children
A nanny's personality and childcare style can be just as important as their experience.
Ask questions such as:
- How do you handle tantrums?
- What would you do if a child refused to listen?
- How do you encourage good behaviour?
- What activities do you enjoy doing with children?
- How do you handle screen time?
- How do you comfort an upset child?
There is no “perfect” answer to every question. You are trying to understand how the nanny thinks and whether their approach is compatible with your parenting style.
If your family has particular rules around discipline, food, screen time or routines, explain them during the interview.
4. Put Child Safety First
Safety should always be an important part of a nanny interview.
You can ask:
- Do you have current first aid training?
- Are you trained in CPR?
- Have you ever dealt with a childcare emergency?
- What would you do if a child became seriously unwell?
- How would you respond to an allergic reaction?
- What would you do if a child was injured?
- Are you comfortable following our emergency contacts and procedures?
Australian parents should also ask about any relevant child-safety checks and documentation that apply in their state or territory, including the Working with Children Check where required.
Before hiring a nanny, make sure you have verified the relevant documents and references.
5. Discuss Your Family's Daily Routine
A nanny may have excellent childcare experience but still struggle if your family's routine is very different from what they are used to.
Explain what a normal day looks like in your household.
For example, discuss school times, meals, naps, homework, outdoor play, activities and bedtime.
Then ask:
“How would you organise an afternoon with our children?”
Their answer can tell you a lot about how they manage time, organise activities and respond to children's needs.
6. Ask About Driving
If the nanny will drive your children, do not leave this conversation until after they start working.
Ask:
- Do you have a current Australian driver's licence?
- Are you comfortable driving children?
- Have you regularly driven children in previous jobs?
- Would you be comfortable driving our family car?
- Are you familiar with child car-seat requirements?
You should also agree on practical details such as fuel, parking and toll expenses.
7. Check Their Availability
Reliability is essential when you find nanny support for a busy family.
Ask about their usual availability and whether it matches your schedule.
Questions can include:
- What days and hours can you work?
- Are you available during school holidays?
- Can you occasionally work evenings?
- How much notice do you need for schedule changes?
- When would you be able to start?
- Are you looking for a long-term position?
It is better to discuss these details early rather than discover a scheduling problem after you have already hired someone.
8. Discuss Pay and Working Arrangements
Money can sometimes feel awkward to discuss, but it should be part of the interview.
Talk openly about the expected hours, pay, duties and any additional arrangements. If you are directly employing a nanny, make sure you understand the employment obligations that apply to your situation in Australia.
You can ask:
- What hourly rate are you expecting?
- What hours are you looking for?
- Are you comfortable with the proposed schedule?
- Are there any additional expenses or conditions we should discuss?
- When would you need notice for changes to the arrangement?
Putting the agreed details in writing can help both the family and nanny avoid confusion later.
9. Use Real-Life Scenarios
One of the easiest ways to understand how a nanny handles everyday situations is to give them a scenario.
For example:
“What would you do if my child refused to eat lunch?”
“What would you do if two children started fighting?”
“How would you handle a child who came home from school very upset?”
“What would you do if you were running late for a school pickup?”
You are not looking for a textbook answer. You want to hear how they would think through the situation.
Look for calm, practical answers that put the child's safety and wellbeing first.
10. Always Check References
References can give you a much clearer picture of what it is like to work with a nanny.
If possible, speak to previous families and ask about:
- Reliability
- Punctuality
- Communication
- Childcare skills
- Trustworthiness
- Ability to follow routines
- Handling difficult situations
- Reason for leaving
A short reference call can sometimes tell you things that an interview cannot.
Final Nanny Interview Checklist
Before making your decision, make sure you have discussed:
- ☐ Childcare experience
- ☐ Nanny responsibilities
- ☐ References
- ☐ Child-safety checks
- ☐ First aid and CPR
- ☐ Behaviour management
- ☐ Daily family routines
- ☐ Meals and allergies
- ☐ Driving and transport
- ☐ Working hours
- ☐ Pay and employment arrangements
- ☐ Emergency procedures
- ☐ Privacy and family boundaries
- ☐ Start date
How Do You Know If a Nanny Is Right for Your Family?
The right nanny is not necessarily the person with the longest CV. Look for someone who is dependable, patient, responsible and easy to communicate with.
Most importantly, think about how you and your children feel around the candidate. Do they listen? Are they genuinely interested in your children? Do they respect your parenting choices? Do they seem confident without being overconfident?
If you are using professional nanny services, ask how candidates are screened, what checks are completed and how references are verified.
Whether you use an agency, online platform or personal recommendation to find nanny candidates, take your time before making a final decision.
A good nanny can become a trusted and valuable part of your family's life. Asking the right questions at the beginning makes it much easier to find someone who is the right fit for both you and your children.
