MatchAu Terms and Conditions

MatchAu Terms and Conditions Last updated: February 2026

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you, whether personally or on behalf of an entity ("you" or "your"), and MatchAu LTD, a company registered in England and Wales ("MatchAu", "we", "us" or "our"), concerning your access to and use of our applications, websites, and related services at aupair.uk and matchaupair.online (collectively, the "Platform"). The Platform is available to users worldwide and is accessible through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. By accessing or using the Platform from any location, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and any other policies referenced herein. If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use the Platform and should discontinue use immediately. If you are accessing the Platform from outside the United Kingdom, you are responsible for ensuring that your use of the Platform complies with all applicable local laws in your jurisdiction. We reserve the right to update these Terms from time to time. Updated Terms will be published on our website and made available within the Application. The "Last updated" date at the top of these Terms will be revised accordingly. Your continued use of the Platform after updated Terms have been published constitutes your acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree with the updated Terms, you should stop using the Platform and may close your account at any time. Where changes materially affect your rights or obligations, we will use reasonable efforts to draw your attention to them through the Platform.

2. Definitions

In these Terms:

"Au Pair" or "Candidate" means a person who registers on the Platform seeking an au pair placement with a host family.
"Host Family" means a family or individual who registers on the Platform seeking to host an au pair.
"User" means any person who accesses or uses the Platform, whether as a visitor, registered au pair, host family, or otherwise.
"User Content" means all content created, uploaded, or shared by users on the Platform, including profile information, photographs, messages, reviews, and other materials.
"Arrangement" means any agreement, understanding, or relationship entered into between a host family and an au pair, whether facilitated through the Platform or otherwise.
"Premium Membership" means a paid subscription that provides access to advanced features as described on the Platform.
"Host Country" means the country in which the host family is located and where the au pair will undertake their placement.
"Home Country" means the country of nationality or residence of the au pair candidate.
"Applicable Laws" means all laws, regulations, and legal requirements applicable to a user in their jurisdiction, including immigration, employment, tax, child protection, and data protection laws.

3. Nature of Service — Introduction Platform Only

This is the most important section of these Terms. Please read it carefully. MatchAu operates an online introduction and matching platform that enables host families and au pair candidates to find and connect with each other. MatchAu is not and does not act as:

an employment agency or employment business within the meaning of the Employment Agencies Act 1973;
an employer of either host families or au pairs;
a childcare provider, regulated childcare service, or childminding agency;
an immigration adviser or immigration service provider within the meaning of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
a party to any Arrangement entered into between host families and au pairs; or
a guarantor, insurer, or underwriter of any Arrangement, agreement, or outcome between users.

Our role is limited to providing a platform where users can create profiles, search for potential matches, and initiate contact. All Arrangements between host families and au pairs are made directly between those parties at their own risk and responsibility. We do not:

vet, verify, endorse, or recommend any user, including their identity, background, qualifications, references, immigration status, or suitability;
conduct training, screening, background checks, or DBS checks on any user;
monitor, supervise, or oversee any Arrangement or relationship between host families and au pairs;
guarantee that any user's profile information is accurate, complete, or truthful;
guarantee that any user will find a suitable match or that any Arrangement will be successful; or
provide any assurance as to the safety, quality, or legality of any Arrangement made through the Platform.

You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for conducting your own due diligence before entering into any Arrangement with another user, including verifying their identity, obtaining references, arranging background checks, confirming immigration status, and assessing suitability.

4. Immigration and Legal Compliance

MatchAu does not provide immigration advice in any jurisdiction. We are not an immigration adviser, agency, or legal service provider in any country. We are not regulated by the UK Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) or any equivalent body in any other jurisdiction. Nothing on the Platform should be interpreted as immigration or legal advice.

4.1 General Obligations

It is the sole responsibility of both host families and au pair candidates to ensure that:

the au pair holds a valid visa, work permit, or immigration permission in the Host Country;
the Arrangement complies with the specific conditions of that visa or immigration permission;
all applicable right-to-work checks are carried out before any Arrangement begins;
both parties comply with all applicable immigration, employment, tax, and social security laws; and
any required registrations with local authorities in the Host Country are completed.

4.2 Country-Specific Information

The following is provided for general awareness only and does not constitute legal advice. United Kingdom: There is no dedicated au pair visa. Au pairs from outside the UK and Ireland must hold a qualifying visa (e.g., Youth Mobility Scheme, Student Visa, UK Ancestry Visa). EU/EEA citizens no longer have automatic right to work in the UK following Brexit. Irish citizens are exempt under the Common Travel Area. European Union / EEA: EU/EEA citizens can generally au pair freely within the EU/EEA. Non-EU/EEA citizens may need a specific au pair visa or residence permit depending on the Host Country. United States: The US operates a regulated au pair programme under the J-1 visa. MatchAu is not a designated sponsor agency and does not facilitate J-1 visa placements. Australia / New Zealand: Neither country has a dedicated au pair visa. Au pairs typically use working holiday visas. It is prohibited to use the Platform to facilitate any Arrangement where the au pair does not hold valid immigration permission in the Host Country.

5. Eligibility and Registration

5.1 Eligibility

The Platform is restricted to users aged 18 and over. This restriction is enforced through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store age ratings. To use the Platform, you must:

be at least 18 years of age;
not be a minor in the jurisdiction in which you reside;
have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement; and
not have been previously suspended or removed from the Platform by us.

We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under the age of 18.

5.2 Registration

You are required to create an account to use the Platform. You agree to:

provide true, accurate, current, and complete registration information;
maintain and promptly update your registration information;
keep your password confidential and not share it with any third party;
accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account; and
notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account.

You may register for only one account. You must not create an account on behalf of another person or create a false or misleading identity.

6. User Types and Obligations

6.1 All Users

All users must:

use the Platform only for its intended purpose of connecting au pairs and host families;
comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations;
report any violations of these Terms, illegal behaviour, or suspected abuse to us promptly;
treat all personal data of other users as confidential; and
not transfer or share their account with any other person.

6.2 Host Families

If you register as a host family, you additionally represent, warrant, and agree that:

you will provide a safe and suitable living environment for any au pair you host;
you will provide accurate information about your family situation, including the number and ages of children, housing and living conditions, and expected tasks and working hours;
you are strongly advised to arrange an appropriate background or criminal record check for any au pair before they have unsupervised access to children;
you will verify that any au pair you engage holds a valid visa or immigration permission;
you are responsible for complying with all applicable laws regarding employment status, tax, social security contributions, minimum wage, and working time limits;
you will maintain adequate insurance as required or recommended in your jurisdiction;
you will comply with any au pair programme regulations specific to your country; and
you will not require an au pair to work excessive hours or perform duties outside the scope of a typical au pair arrangement.

6.3 Au Pair Candidates

If you register as an au pair candidate, you additionally represent, warrant, and agree that:

you hold (or will hold before any Arrangement begins) a valid visa or immigration permission to undertake au pair activities in the Host Country;
any qualifications, experience, references, or other credentials stated in your profile are genuine and accurate;
you will cooperate with reasonable requests for identity verification, background checks, or references;
you will obtain appropriate health insurance, travel insurance, and personal liability insurance;
you are responsible for complying with any registration or legal obligations in the Host Country; and
you understand that Arrangements with host families are made directly between you and the host family.

7. Pre-Arrangement Requirements

Before entering into any Arrangement, we strongly recommend that both parties:

conduct at least two video calls with each other;
verify each other's identity;
exchange references or proof of relevant experience;
discuss and agree in writing the key terms of the Arrangement, including: type and scope of activities, working hours and holidays, remuneration, accommodation, insurance coverage, notice period and termination terms, and any additional benefits.

MatchAu strongly recommends that all Arrangements are documented in a written agreement signed by both parties before the au pair begins their placement.

8. Assumption of Risk

Please read this section carefully. Although MatchAu takes reasonable measures to promote a safe platform, the use of any internet-based service involves inherent risks. MatchAu does not conduct training, screening, or background checks on users. You expressly acknowledge that interacting with people met through the Platform involves risks, which may include:

physical harm, illness, or injury;
emotional or psychological harm;
harassment, abuse, or exploitation;
financial loss or fraud;
misrepresentation of identity, qualifications, or circumstances; and
risks associated with inviting a person into your home or entering another person's home.

By using the Platform, you accept these risks and agree that MatchAu shall not be liable for any harm, loss, or damage arising from your interactions with other users, whether on or off the Platform, except to the extent caused by our negligence or as otherwise required by law.

9. Safeguarding

MatchAu takes the welfare of children seriously. We strongly recommend that host families arrange an appropriate criminal record or background check for any au pair before they have unsupervised access to children. The type of check varies by country:

UK: Enhanced DBS check
Germany: Erweitertes Führungszeugnis
France: Extrait de casier judiciaire
US: FBI background check
Australia: National Police Certificate or Working with Children Check

Reporting concerns: If you become aware of any safeguarding concern, report it to us immediately at info@matchaupair.online. In an emergency, contact the emergency services first (999 in the UK, 112 in the EU, 911 in the US, 000 in Australia).

10. Employment Status and Tax

The legal status of au pair arrangements varies significantly between countries. MatchAu does not provide employment law, tax, or financial advice in any jurisdiction. We strongly recommend that host families seek independent professional advice on their legal obligations. MatchAu is not a party to any employment or contractual relationship between a host family and an au pair.

11. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Platform in any way that:

is unlawful, illegal, or unauthorised;
is defamatory, obscene, offensive, discriminatory, or hateful;
promotes discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age;
infringes any intellectual property right;
is likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm, or annoy any other person;
is likely to disrupt the Platform or its services;
involves creating false identities or profiles;
involves collecting personal data for unsolicited communications;
involves commercial activities without prior authorisation;
involves circumventing security features;
involves decompiling, reverse engineering, or disassembling any part of the Platform;
involves uploading viruses, malware, or other harmful material;
involves using automated systems (bots, scrapers, spiders) to access the Platform;
involves facilitating any Arrangement that would breach immigration law; or
involves using the Platform in a manner inconsistent with any applicable laws.

Violation of any of the above may result in immediate account termination and, where appropriate, civil or criminal consequences.

12. Content Monitoring and False Information

12.1 Message Monitoring

We reserve the right to monitor messages and content shared through the Platform to protect users and prevent fraud, abuse, or misuse.

12.2 Profile Review

We reserve the right to reject, suspend, or remove user profiles that are incomplete, inaccurate, misleading, or unsuitable.

12.3 Penalties for False Information

If we discover that a user has provided false, incomplete, or misleading information, we may suspend or terminate the account without prior notice, retain any payments already made, and take further legal action where appropriate.

13. User Content

13.1 Your Content

You are solely responsible for your User Content. By creating or sharing User Content, you represent and warrant that it does not infringe the rights of any third party, you have all necessary rights and consents, and it is not false, inaccurate, misleading, unlawful, or harmful.

13.2 Licence to Use Your Content

By posting User Content, you grant MatchAu a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to host, store, display, reproduce, and distribute your User Content solely for the purposes of operating and providing the Platform. This licence terminates when you delete your User Content or your account. You retain ownership of your User Content.

13.3 Confidentiality of Other Users' Data

You must treat as confidential all non-public information you receive about other users through the Platform.

14. Reviews and Ratings

Where we provide functionality for reviews or ratings, your reviews must be based on genuine firsthand experience, not contain offensive or discriminatory language, and not be false or misleading.

15. Premium Membership and Payments

15.1 Membership

The Platform may offer both free and paid membership tiers. Premium Memberships are non-transferable.

15.2 Payment

By purchasing a Premium Membership, you agree to pay the applicable fees using the payment methods offered on the Platform.

15.3 Cancellation and Refunds

Premium Memberships expire at the end of the agreed period. If the Platform offers auto-renewing subscriptions, you may cancel at any time through your account settings.

15.4 Right of Withdrawal (Consumer Rights)

If you are a consumer, you have the right to withdraw from a Premium Membership purchase within 14 days of purchase, provided you have not used any Premium features during that period.

16. Intellectual Property

The Platform, including all source code, databases, functionality, software, designs, text, photographs, graphics, and other content, and all trademarks, service marks, and logos, are owned by or licensed to MatchAu and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Platform for your personal, non-commercial use. All other rights are reserved.

17. Privacy and Data Protection

MatchAu LTD is the data controller for personal data processed through the Platform. We process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Our Privacy Policy describes in full how we collect, use, store, and share your personal data.

17.1 International Users

The following additional data protection frameworks may apply depending on your location:

European Economic Area (EEA): We comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR). We have appointed an EU representative in accordance with Article 27 of the GDPR.
California, USA: California residents may have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA. We do not sell personal information.
Brazil: The Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) may apply.

17.2 International Data Transfers

Personal data may be transferred internationally. Where personal data is transferred outside the UK or EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including adequacy decisions, Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), or other lawful transfer mechanisms.

17.3 Platform-Specific Data Considerations

Profile information you share may be visible to other registered users worldwide. You should not share sensitive identity documents through the Platform's messaging features. We do not sell personal data to third parties.

18. Reporting and Safety

If you experience or become aware of abusive behaviour, fraudulent profiles, safeguarding concerns, suspected exploitation, or any other violation of these Terms, please report it through the in-app reporting feature or by emailing info@matchaupair.online. In an emergency or where someone is at immediate risk of harm, always contact the emergency services first.

19. Online Safety

MatchAu complies with its obligations under the Online Safety Act 2023. We maintain appropriate measures to address illegal content and manage risks to users.

20. Third-Party Websites and Content

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or content not owned or controlled by MatchAu. We are not responsible for third-party websites, their content, data protection practices, or terms of use.

21. Mobile Application

If you access the Platform via a mobile application, we grant you a revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited right to install and use the application on devices owned or controlled by you. You acknowledge that the relevant app store provider (Apple or Google) is not responsible for the application and is a third-party beneficiary of these Terms.

22. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for:

death or personal injury caused by our negligence;
fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.

Subject to the above, and to the fullest extent permitted by law:

the Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind;
we make no representations about the accuracy, suitability, or reliability of any user;
we do not guarantee that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or virus-free;
we do not guarantee that any user is suitable for working as an au pair, caregiver, or host family;
we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages;
we shall not be liable for any damages arising from any Arrangement between users; and
our total aggregate liability shall not exceed the greater of the amounts you have paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or £100.

23. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MatchAu and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses arising out of or relating to: your use of the Platform; your User Content; any Arrangement you enter into with another user; your breach of these Terms; your violation of any applicable law; your infringement of third-party rights; or any harm caused to another user or third party in connection with an Arrangement.

24. Term and Termination

You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings or by contacting us. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately and we will delete or anonymise your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Termination by us: We may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time and for any reason, including breach of these Terms. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including indemnification, limitation of liability, and intellectual property) will continue to apply.

25. Insurance

MatchAu does not provide insurance of any kind. We strongly recommend that host families maintain adequate home insurance and employers' liability insurance, and that au pairs obtain appropriate health, travel, and personal liability insurance.

26. Force Majeure

MatchAu shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure results from events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, strikes, war, terrorism, pandemic, or technical failures.

27. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. We encourage you to contact us to resolve any dispute informally before taking legal action. If you are a consumer resident in the European Union, you may also have the benefit of mandatory consumer protection provisions in your country of residence. You may use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/odr. Nothing in these Terms shall deprive you of any mandatory consumer protection rights available to you under the laws of your country of residence.

28. Electronic Communications

By using the Platform, you consent to receive electronic communications from us. You may manage your communication preferences through your account settings.

29. General Provisions

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any supplemental terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and us. Our failure to exercise any right shall not constitute a waiver of that right. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms. No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship is created by these Terms.

30. Amendments to These Terms

We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be published on our website and made available within the Application. Your continued use of the Platform after updated Terms have been published constitutes your acceptance of those changes. Where changes materially affect your rights or obligations, we will use reasonable efforts to draw your attention to them through the Platform.

31. Country-Specific Provisions

31.1 European Union / European Economic Area

EU/EEA consumers benefit from mandatory consumer protection laws which cannot be overridden by these Terms.
You may use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/odr.
We have appointed an EU representative under Article 27 of the GDPR.
Au pair placements may be subject to the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement (1969) where applicable.
Host families must comply with the EU Working Time Directive where applicable.

31.2 United States

MatchAu is not a designated sponsor agency under the US Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program.
US users seeking to host an au pair under the J-1 programme must work with a designated sponsor agency.
California residents have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA as described in our Privacy Policy.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to resolve disputes through binding arbitration and waive the right to participate in class actions.

31.3 Australia and New Zealand

Australian Consumer Law and the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act provide consumer guarantees that cannot be excluded by these Terms.
Au pairs in Australia must comply with the conditions of their visa (typically a Working Holiday visa, subclass 417 or 462).

31.4 Countries with Regulated Au Pair Programmes

It is your responsibility to determine whether the Host Country operates a regulated au pair programme and to comply with all requirements of that programme.

32. Language

These Terms are drafted in English. If these Terms are translated into any other language and there is a discrepancy between the English version and the translated version, the English version shall prevail. ———