Nanny Jobs | Housekeeper | Aged Care | Private Chef | Estate Manager | 482 Visa Sponsorship
Sydney’s domestic and household services sector continues to expand in 2026, driven by dual-income families, an aging population, and high-net-worth individuals seeking professional household management. Employers now offer competitive salaries from $50,000 to $180,000+, flexible arrangements, and visa sponsorship opportunities for qualified international candidates. This guide covers the highest-paying domestic roles in Sydney, salary expectations, qualification requirements, and how to secure employment with TSS 482 visa sponsorship.
Highest-Paying Domestic Jobs in Sydney 2026
Sydney’s affluent suburbs—including the Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, North Shore, and Inner West—drive strong demand for professional domestic staff. Below are the top-paying roles.
| Position | Annual Salary (AUD) | Key Requirements |
| Estate Manager / House Manager | $120,000 – $180,000+ | Management experience, discretion |
| Private Chef / Personal Cook | $80,000 – $130,000 | Culinary qualification, dietary expertise |
| Live-in Nanny (Qualified) | $65,000 – $95,000 | Cert III Early Childhood + experience |
| Aged Care Worker (Private) | $60,000 – $90,000 | Cert III Individual Support |
| Senior Housekeeper | $55,000 – $80,000 | Experience in luxury homes |
| Au Pair | $25,000 – $35,000 + board | Basic childcare experience |
| General Housekeeper | $50,000 – $70,000 | Cleaning experience, references |
Note: Live-in positions often include accommodation valued at $20,000–$40,000/year additional benefit, plus meals.
Detailed Role Breakdown
1. Estate Manager / House Manager
Salary: $120,000 – $180,000+/year
The most senior domestic role, estate managers oversee entire household operations for high-net-worth families in Sydney’s premium suburbs like Point Piper, Vaucluse, and Mosman.
- Managing other domestic staff (housekeepers, gardeners, drivers)
- Coordinating maintenance, vendors, and service providers
- Managing household budgets and expenses
- Organizing family travel, events, and entertaining
- Ensuring privacy, security, and discretion
Requirements: 5+ years household management experience, hospitality background preferred, strong organizational skills, discretion, driver’s license. Some positions include vehicle, accommodation, and private health insurance.
2. Private Chef / Personal Cook
Salary: $80,000 – $130,000/year
Private chefs prepare daily meals, manage kitchen operations, and cater special events for busy professional families and high-income households.
- Planning menus and preparing daily meals
- Shopping for groceries and managing kitchen inventory
- Accommodating dietary requirements (allergies, keto, vegan, etc.)
- Catering dinner parties and special occasions
- Maintaining kitchen hygiene and food safety standards
Requirements: Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery or hospitality qualification, 3+ years experience, food safety certification, knowledge of diverse cuisines.
3. Live-in Nanny / Professional Nanny
Salary: $65,000 – $95,000/year + accommodation
Qualified nannies are in high demand among Sydney’s dual-income professional families. Live-in positions include private accommodation and meals, adding $20,000–$40,000 in value.
- Full responsibility for children’s daily care and routines
- School drop-offs, pick-ups, and activity transportation
- Meal preparation for children
- Homework assistance and educational activities
- Light housekeeping related to children
- Travel with family (domestic and international)
Requirements: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care, Working With Children Check (WWCC), First Aid & CPR, 2+ years childcare experience, driver’s license, excellent references.
4. Private Aged Care Worker / Home Support
Salary: $60,000 – $90,000/year
Australia’s aging population drives strong demand for private in-home aged care. Families increasingly prefer personalized home care over residential facilities.
- Assisting with daily activities (bathing, dressing, mobility)
- Medication management and reminders
- Meal preparation and nutritional support
- Companionship and emotional support
- Coordinating medical appointments
- Reporting health updates to family members
Requirements: Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), First Aid & CPR, National Police Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check (if applicable), empathetic nature, patience.
5. Senior Housekeeper / Head Housekeeper
Salary: $55,000 – $80,000/year
Senior housekeepers maintain luxury homes in Sydney’s premium suburbs, often managing additional staff and handling specialized cleaning requirements.
- Deep cleaning and maintaining high standards throughout home
- Laundry, ironing, and wardrobe organization
- Managing cleaning schedules and supplies
- Supervising other cleaners or domestic staff
- Care of fine furnishings, artwork, and specialty items
Requirements: 3+ years experience in luxury homes, attention to detail, discretion, knowledge of cleaning high-end materials. Certificate II in Cleaning Operations preferred.
Visa Sponsorship for Domestic Workers
International candidates can secure domestic employment in Sydney through several visa pathways. The most common route for sponsored employment is the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa Subclass 482.
TSS Visa Subclass 482 Requirements
- Employer sponsorship: Must have job offer from a licensed sponsor
- Skills assessment: May be required depending on occupation
- Experience: Minimum 2 years relevant work experience
- English: IELTS 5.0 overall (or equivalent)
- Health: Medical examination and health insurance
- Character: Police clearance certificate
Alternative Visa Pathways
- Working Holiday Visa (417/462): For 18–35 year olds from eligible countries; work up to 6 months per employer
- Student Visa (500): Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during studies
- Partner Visa (820/801): Full work rights if partnered with Australian citizen/PR
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494): For regional areas with pathway to permanent residency
Required Qualifications & Certifications
Australian employers require specific certifications depending on the role. Key qualifications include:
For Childcare/Nanny Roles
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care
- Working With Children Check (WWCC) — mandatory
- First Aid & CPR Certificate
- Australian Driver’s License
For Aged Care Roles
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
- National Police Check
- First Aid & CPR Certificate
- NDIS Worker Screening Check (if working with NDIS participants)
For Housekeeping Roles
- Certificate II in Cleaning Operations (preferred)
- National Police Check
- Strong references from previous employers
For Private Chef Roles
- Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery
- Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
- Portfolio of previous work or references
Where to Find Sydney Domestic Jobs
Major Job Portals
- com.au: Australia’s largest job board—search ‘domestic,’ ‘housekeeper,’ ‘nanny Sydney’
- Indeed Australia: Filter by location and salary; use ‘visa sponsorship’ keyword
- Jora: Aggregates listings from multiple sources
- Gumtree: Direct-to-employer listings; exercise caution and verify legitimacy
Specialist Domestic Recruitment Agencies
- Absolute Domestics: Australia’s largest domestic staffing agency
- The Housekeeper Company: Specializes in luxury household placements
- MummyNanny Agency: Nanny and au pair placements
- Guardian Childcare Recruitment: Professional childcare positions
- Greycoat Lumleys Australia: Premium household staff for high-net-worth families
Government Resources
- gov.au: Australian Government job portal
- NSW Government Jobs: State government positions including care roles
Avoiding Job Scams
Protect yourself from fraudulent job offers with these verification steps:
Red Flags to Watch For
- Requests for upfront payment for ‘visa processing’ or ‘placement fees’
- Job offers without interview or video call
- Communication only via personal email (Gmail, Yahoo) not company domain
- Salaries significantly above market rates
- Pressure to make quick decisions
Verification Steps
- Check ABN: Verify employer’s Australian Business Number at abr.business.gov.au
- Research agency: Check reviews and verify registration
- Video interview: Always request video call with employer before accepting
- Written contract: Never start work without signed employment contract
Your Legal Rights as a Domestic Worker
- Minimum wage: $24.10/hour (national minimum as of July 2024)
- Superannuation: Employer must contribute 11.5% to your super fund
- Leave entitlements: 4 weeks annual leave, 10 days personal/carer’s leave
- Pay records: Employer must provide payslips and pay through official systems
- Safe workplace: Right to safe working conditions
Resource: Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au) provides free information about workplace rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get visa sponsorship for domestic work in Australia?
Yes, through the TSS Visa Subclass 482 if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor. Certain domestic roles (aged care, childcare) are in higher demand for sponsorship. Alternatively, Working Holiday Visa holders can work in domestic roles without sponsorship.
What is the average salary for domestic workers in Sydney?
Salaries range from $50,000–$70,000 for housekeepers to $120,000–$180,000+ for estate managers. Live-in positions add $20,000–$40,000 in accommodation value. Private aged care workers earn $60,000–$90,000, while qualified nannies earn $65,000–$95,000 plus accommodation.
Do I need qualifications for domestic jobs?
Requirements vary by role. Childcare positions require Certificate III in Early Childhood + WWCC. Aged care requires Certificate III in Individual Support. Housekeeping typically requires experience and references rather than formal qualifications. All roles benefit from First Aid certification.
What are the best suburbs for domestic jobs in Sydney?
Highest demand areas include Eastern Suburbs (Vaucluse, Point Piper, Double Bay, Bellevue Hill), Northern Beaches (Palm Beach, Mosman), North Shore (Hunters Hill, Killara), and Inner West affluent pockets. These areas have high-net-worth families requiring professional household staff.
How do I verify if an employer is legitimate?
Check their Australian Business Number (ABN) at abr.business.gov.au. For agencies, verify registration and read reviews. Always request a video interview before accepting. Never pay upfront fees for job placement or visa processing—legitimate employers don’t charge workers.
Start Your Sydney Domestic Career
Sydney’s domestic employment sector offers excellent opportunities for both local and international workers, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $180,000+ depending on role and experience. High demand for qualified nannies, aged care workers, housekeepers, and estate managers means strong job security and career progression.
Your Next Steps
- Obtain relevant certifications (WWCC, First Aid, role-specific qualifications)
- Prepare Australian-format resume with detailed references
- Register with specialist domestic recruitment agencies
- Set up job alerts on Seek, Indeed, and agency websites
- Verify employer legitimacy before accepting any offer
- If international, research visa pathway options (482, WHV, Student)
Sydney’s domestic job market offers rewarding careers with excellent pay. Begin your search today.