Your questions, answered

Babysitting in Perth, explained.

Everything you need to know about our services, bookings and how our in-home childcare works. Can't find your answer? Just reach out.

Getting started

How do I book a babysitter, nanny or carer?+
Visit our Enquiries & Bookings page and complete the short form with your preferred dates, service type and any specific requirements. Our director reviews every enquiry personally and responds within 24–48 business hours.
What areas of Perth do you service?+
We service families across Perth and wider Western Australia. If you're unsure whether we cover your suburb or school, please reach out — we'll always let you know what's possible.
Is there any obligation once I enquire?+
Not at all. An enquiry simply opens a conversation. Nothing moves forward until you're ready, comfortable and confident. We're here to help you explore your options — no pressure, no obligation.
Do you provide care for sick children?+
For the safety of our carers and other families, we're unable to provide care for children who are unwell. If a carer arrives and a child is showing signs of illness, the carer reserves the right to decline the booking. We recommend letting us know as early as possible if your child becomes unwell so we can support you.
Do you reserve the right to refuse care?+
Yes. Babysitters on Demand reserves the right to refuse or end a booking at our discretion — including where a child is unwell, where a carer's safety or wellbeing is at risk, or where conditions fall outside what was agreed. The wellbeing of both children and carers always comes first, and we'll always communicate openly with you if this occurs.
Can I make a same-day booking?+
At this stage we're unable to take same-day or short-notice bookings. We always recommend getting in touch with as much notice as possible to ensure availability and the right match for your family.
What ages of children do you care for?+
We support families with children aged 1 to 15 years across all our services.
Do you offer phone consultations before booking?+
We require all communication to be in writing. This ensures accuracy, transparency and a clear record for auditing and compliance, and lets us properly review your requirements and respond with the most suitable options for your family.
What information should I have ready before enquiring?+
It helps to know your preferred dates, hours, number of children, location and any specific requirements. Don't worry if you're unsure — we can help you figure that out.
Can you help me decide which service is right for me?+
Absolutely. If you're unsure whether you need babysitting, a nanny or another service, we'll guide you based on your schedule, routine and long-term needs.
What happens if I'm running late home?+
Please communicate as soon as possible. Additional hours will be billed accordingly, and we'll ensure your carer is supported.
Are you fully insured?+
Yes — Babysitters on Demand is a fully insured, ABN-registered Australian business. We're happy to provide details on request.

Fees & bookings

Do I need to pay anything upfront?+
Yes — an upfront deposit is required for all bookings to cover our administration costs. Paying a deposit opens your booking, but it's only tentatively confirmed once you receive a written email confirmation from our director. We then invoice you for the remaining fees to fully finalise the booking.
What are your guide rates for babysitting?+
Our casual babysitting rates start from $37.50 per hour for up to two children with standard notice. Rates vary based on notice period, number of children, time of day, and whether it falls on a weekend or public holiday. For families with three or more children, or children with additional needs, please contact us for a personalised quote.
What affects the cost of my booking?+
Fees vary based on the number of children requiring care, the time of day and day of the week, the length of the booking, the level and type of care required, and whether your booking is casual, regular or an ongoing arrangement.
When is the remaining balance due?+
Once your booking is confirmed with a team member, the remaining balance is invoiced and must be paid prior to your booking being fully finalised.
Do you charge extra for weekends or public holidays?+
Yes. Rates may vary for weekends, public holidays and peak periods. We'll always provide clear pricing upfront before you confirm.
What is your minimum booking time?+
We have a 3-hour minimum for all casual babysitting bookings, billed in 1-hour intervals. Before and after school care shifts also carry a 3-hour minimum in line with employment law.
What if I need to cancel or change a booking?+
Please contact us as early as possible if your plans change. Our full cancellation terms are outlined in our Terms and Conditions. We appreciate maximum notice so we can support our carers fairly and, where possible, find alternative arrangements.
Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?+
Any additional costs, such as travel, parking or extended hours, will always be discussed and approved by you in advance.
How do I pay?+
We invoice you directly and payment is made by electronic bank transfer. Full payment details are included on your invoice, and your booking is finalised once payment is received.

Our carers

What qualifications do your carers hold?+
All carers hold a current police clearance, a valid Working With Children Check and First Aid certification. They're all 18 or older and have been personally interviewed and approved by our director. Many also hold formal qualifications in early childhood education, nursing, teaching or a related field.
How do you select your carers?+
Every carer goes through a rigorous multi-step process: a full application review, a personal interview with our director, police clearance, Working With Children Check verification, First Aid certification check, and reference checks. We assess qualifications, and we assess character. If a carer doesn't meet our standards, they don't join our team.
Can I meet my carer before the booking?+
Meet-and-greets are available for long-term and regular care arrangements, where building a lasting relationship matters — we'll arrange an introduction before care begins. For casual, one-off bookings this isn't possible, but we always provide detailed information about your matched carer before they arrive, including their experience, qualifications and background. If you have specific concerns or preferences, let us know and we'll address them before confirming.
Can I request the same carer every time?+
Absolutely. For regular bookings we prioritise consistency and will do our best to match you with the same carer each time. If your regular carer is unavailable, we'll let you know promptly and find a suitable alternative from our approved team.
Are your carers employees or contractors?+
Our carers are engaged through Babysitters on Demand and are part of our approved team — meaning we manage vetting, compliance and quality standards.
Do your carers have experience with babies and toddlers?+
Yes. Many of our carers have extensive experience with younger children, including infants and toddlers. We match carers based on age-specific experience.
Can carers assist with light household tasks?+
Yes — light duties related to the children (such as tidying toys) can be included. Just let us know your expectations.
What happens if my carer is unavailable?+
We'll contact you as soon as possible and do everything we can to find a suitable replacement from our approved team. For regular arrangements, we make every effort to match you with someone familiar to your children.
Will my carer follow our house rules and screen-time limits?+
Yes. Your carer follows the routines, rules and preferences you share — including screen time, meals, bedtimes and any house rules. The more detail you give us, the more seamlessly your carer fits into your family's day.
What happens in an emergency?+
Every carer is First Aid certified and trained to stay calm and act appropriately. They follow your emergency contacts and any medical information you provide, and will contact you immediately if anything significant occurs.

Casual & regular babysitting

Can I book a babysitter at short notice?+
At this stage Babysitters on Demand doesn't have capacity for short-notice enquiries. We recommend getting in touch with as much notice as possible.
Do I need to sign a long-term contract?+
Not at all. Our casual babysitting service has no lock-in contract — book as often or as occasionally as you need. For regular scheduled care we'll discuss a simple arrangement that suits your family, but there's no pressure to commit beyond what works for you.
Can I set up a recurring weekly booking?+
Yes. We can organise consistent weekly care with the same carer wherever possible, to create routine and familiarity.
What happens during the babysitting shift?+
Your carer follows your child's routine, engages them in age-appropriate activities, and ensures their safety and wellbeing at all times.

Long-term nanny placement

What's the difference between a nanny placement and regular babysitting?+
Casual babysitting is flexible and on-demand — great for one-off occasions or irregular needs. Long-term nanny placement is for families who need consistent, ongoing in-home care as part of their routine. It involves a more thorough matching process, a formal placement arrangement, and a nanny who becomes a stable part of your family's day-to-day life.
How long does the placement process take?+
Generally 14–21 days, depending on your requirements and the availability of well-matched candidates. We always prioritise getting the match right over getting it done quickly. Once you enquire, our director will be in touch to discuss your timeline and manage expectations from the outset.
Do you help with contracts and employment setup?+
Yes. We assist with structuring the arrangement, including contracts and expectations, so everything is clear from the beginning.
What if the placement isn't the right fit?+
We work hard to get the match right before placement begins. If something isn't working once care has started, contact us as soon as possible — we take placement concerns seriously and will work with you to resolve them, including finding an alternative if needed. Open communication is the most important thing.
Is there a minimum commitment period for nanny placement?+
This depends on the nature of your arrangement. We'll discuss the specifics during the enquiry process and ensure any arrangement suits your family's situation. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, which is exactly why we handle every placement individually.
Can you replace a nanny if circumstances change later on?+
Yes. If your needs change or the arrangement no longer fits, we can support you in finding a new match.

Before & after school care

Do you offer before school, after school, or both?+
We offer both before and after school care, or a combination of the two. We can also arrange coverage in a split-shift format if needed. Just tell us what your schedule looks like and we'll work around it.
Can we have the same carer every week?+
Yes — for school care we make consistency a priority. A familiar face matters enormously to children, especially during the school routine.
Is there a minimum number of days I need to book?+
Our school care arrangements are flexible. We can discuss what works for your schedule during the enquiry process, whether that's one day a week or every weekday. There's a minimum shift length in line with employment law, which we'll explain clearly when we discuss your needs.
Can my carer drive the children to and from school?+
This depends on the individual carer and the arrangement. Please let us know during your enquiry if transport is required and we'll ensure your matched carer is suitable.
Can carers help with homework or after-school routines?+
Yes — carers can support with homework, snacks and afternoon routines to help your household run smoothly. Please note our team are carers, not tutors.

Overnight care

Does the carer stay awake all night?+
This depends on the arrangement and the needs of your children. For young children or those who wake frequently, your carer remains on active watch. For older children who sleep through reliably, a light-sleep arrangement may be agreed. Our director will discuss this with you during the enquiry to ensure the right approach is in place.
What if my child wakes up distressed during the night?+
Our overnight carers are experienced in settling children calmly. They follow your child's established routine wherever possible and apply patience and reassurance to any waking. If anything significant occurs, they'll contact you directly.
Can I book overnight care for multiple nights in a row?+
Yes. For extended trips or longer absences, multi-night care can be arranged. Where possible, the same carer is placed for the full duration to give your children consistency. Please include your full date range in your enquiry.
What does my carer need from me to prepare?+
The more information you share, the better. We recommend noting your children's full bedtime routine, any night-time needs or habits, emergency contacts, medical information and house details. Your carer will be fully briefed before arrival.
What sleeping arrangements are required for the carer?+
Your carer will need a safe and appropriate place to rest during overnight bookings. We'll confirm expectations with you beforehand.

Hotel & accommodation care

Do you come to any hotel or accommodation in Perth?+
We service families staying across the Perth metropolitan area — hotels, Airbnbs, serviced apartments, short-stay properties and private accommodation. If you're unsure whether we cover your location, just reach out and we'll confirm straight away.
Will I know who is coming before they arrive?+
Absolutely. Before your booking we send you details about your carer including their experience, qualifications and background. You'll know exactly who is coming to your accommodation before they arrive.
Can you arrange overnight care at our hotel?+
Yes — overnight care can be arranged at your accommodation. You'll need to provide a safe and appropriate place for your carer to rest, and we'll confirm all expectations with you beforehand.
Do carers bring identification when arriving?+
Yes. Your carer arrives professionally and can provide identification if required by the venue or for your peace of mind.

Events, weddings & functions

How far in advance should I book event childcare?+
We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for weddings and larger events where dates are set well in advance. Popular dates — especially weekends and school holiday periods — fill quickly. That said, we'll always do our best to accommodate shorter-notice enquiries.
How many carers will we need for our event?+
This depends on the number of children attending and their ages. We maintain appropriate carer-to-child ratios and will confirm staffing requirements when you enquire. Please include an estimated number of children and their approximate ages in your initial contact.
Do you supply equipment and activities?+
We can source age-appropriate toys, games and activities to keep children engaged throughout your event, included in the final cost. You simply provide a suitable space at your venue — we set up and pack down entirely.
Can you care for children across a wide age range at the same event?+
Yes — we're experienced with mixed-age groups at events. We bring appropriate activities and materials for different ages and ensure the supervision approach suits each child. Please include the age breakdown of expected children when enquiring.
Can you provide a dedicated children's area at events?+
Ideally the venue provides this space, but we can work with your venue to create a safe, engaging area specifically for children during your event.
Do parents need to stay onsite during care?+
This depends on the event setup. We'll clarify supervision expectations and ensure everything aligns with your event plan.

Respite care

Is respite care only available to government agencies and NGOs?+
Government agencies and NGOs are our primary clients for respite and crisis care referrals. However, we also support individual family carers who need a genuine break — whether that's a few hours of relief or overnight support. If you're unsure whether this service is right for your situation, please reach out and we'll have an honest conversation about how we can help.
How do we refer families through your service as an organisation?+
Please contact us directly by email to discuss your organisation's referral process and requirements. We work with each organisation individually to understand your needs, compliance requirements and preferred way of working.
How quickly can you respond to an urgent or crisis referral?+
For urgent situations, please contact us directly via email and we'll respond as quickly as we can within any pre-arranged agreement.
Are your carers experienced with complex or high-need situations?+
Yes. Carers placed for respite work are specifically selected for their experience with diverse and sometimes complex family situations, including children with additional needs, families under stress, and situations requiring particular sensitivity and patience.
Can respite care be ongoing or is it short-term only?+
Both options are available. We can support short-term relief or ongoing arrangements depending on your needs.
How do you match carers for sensitive situations?+
We take extra care to match based on experience, temperament and suitability for the specific family situation.
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Get in touch

Questions about how we work, partnerships, or just want to say hello? Drop us a line and our team will get back to you.

Looking to book? This form is for general contact only. To request a babysitter, pricing or a quote, please use our enquiry form so we can match your family quickly.

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