What Happens If Your Nanny Gets Sick? Employer Obligations Explained | Pay The Nanny [ ![Pay the nanny logo](https://assets.paythenanny.nz/images/logo-white.png) ](/) [Parents](https://paythenanny.com.au/For-Families) [Nannies](https://paythenanny.com.au/For-Nannies) [Agencies](https://paythenanny.com.au/for-agencies) [Pricing](https://paythenanny.com.au/pricing) [Contact](https://paythenanny.com.au/contact) [Sign Up](https://paythenanny.com.au/signup) [Log In](https://paythenanny.com.au/app/login) Article ------- What Happens If Your Nanny Gets Sick? Employer Obligations Explained ==================================================================== By Mark Hudson · 09 October, 2025 When your nanny calls in sick, it can throw the whole week off. Here’s what Australian families need to know about their legal obligations, pay rules, and how to find temporary childcare through Kiddo when plans fall apart. ![What Happens If Your Nanny Gets Sick? Employer Obligations Explained](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/187/conversions/FcrxKoq5gBpg6gdvah6I-webp-featured.webp) When your nanny wakes up unwell and can’t make it to work, it’s stressful for everyone involved. But just like any other employee, your nanny is entitled to certain rights and protections when they’re sick. Here’s a clear breakdown of what Australian families need to know about sick leave, pay obligations, and practical steps to manage things smoothly - plus how **Kiddo** can step in to help with last-minute childcare. 1. Understanding Sick Leave for Nannies --------------------------------------- If your nanny is employed on a permanent part-time or full-time basis, they’re entitled to paid personal (sick) leave under the National Employment Standards (NES). - Full-time employees accrue 10 days of paid personal leave per year. - Part-time employees accrue this leave on a pro-rata basis depending on their regular hours. If your nanny is casual, they do not receive paid sick leave, but they can take unpaid personal leave if they’re unwell or caring for a family member. You can ask your nanny to provide a medical certificate or other evidence if they’re away for two or more consecutive days (or if there’s reasonable cause to request it sooner). 2. Do You Still Have to Pay Your Nanny When They’re Sick? --------------------------------------------------------- If your nanny has accrued personal leave, then yes - those hours or days should be paid as normal. The payment should match their **ordinary hours of work** (excluding overtime or allowances). If they’ve used up their sick leave balance or are a casual nanny, you aren’t required to pay them during their absence. If you use Pay The Nanny, this is all automatically handled in the payroll - leave balances, accruals, and deductions are tracked and applied correctly, so you’ll always remain compliant. 3. What if Your Nanny Is Away for an Extended Period? ----------------------------------------------------- If your nanny is away for a longer period, such as with a serious illness or injury, you may be required to provide unpaid personal leave or consider temporary adjustments to the role. As an employer, maintaining open communication is key - agree on how long they expect to be away and whether you’ll need short-term cover in the meantime. If your nanny is likely to be away for more than a few weeks, families sometimes hire a temporary nanny or babysitter for continuity. 4. Need Backup Childcare? Kiddo Can Help ---------------------------------------- If you find yourself suddenly without childcare because your nanny is sick, **[Kiddo](https://kiddoapp.com.au/)**is a fantastic resource for families. Through Pay The Nanny’s partnership with Kiddo, families can quickly book verified, experienced carers for short-term or last-minute needs - often within hours. Kiddo connects you with: - Verified babysitters and nannies available for immediate bookings - Backup childcare during your nanny’s sick leave - Easy, secure payments through the app - Flexible options for one-off or ongoing arrangements It’s a stress-free way to manage unexpected gaps without disrupting your week or compromising care for your kids. You can learn more about how Pay The Nanny and Kiddo work together [here](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/pay-the-nanny-and-kiddo). 5. Communication and Compassion Matter -------------------------------------- Even when things get tricky, it’s important to handle your nanny’s absence with empathy. Illness is part of life, and showing understanding builds trust and loyalty in your working relationship. That said, it’s also fair to communicate your family’s needs and work together to plan for contingencies. Having a **[clear employment agreement](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/employment-contracts-for-nannys)** and a **backup plan** ([like Kiddo](https://kiddoapp.com.au/emergency-nanny-service-last-minute-childcare-kiddo/?utm_source=Referral&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=Pay_The_Nanny_Blog&utm_id=Pay_The_Nanny_Website)) helps avoid stress when these moments arise. 6. How Pay The Nanny Can Help ----------------------------- At **Pay The Nanny**, we take care of the payroll, leave management, and compliance so you don’t have to worry about whether your nanny’s sick leave has been processed correctly. We help families across Australia stay on top of: - Leave entitlements and tracking - Payroll and payslips - Tax and superannuation compliance - Worker’s compensation and insurance So when your nanny is unwell, you can focus on your family - not on the paperwork. Make Sure you Have a Plan: -------------------------- Having a reliable nanny is invaluable, but life happens. With Pay The Nanny managing the payroll and [Kiddo ](https://app.kiddo.care/)ready to step in when needed, your family’s childcare can keep running smoothly no matter what the week brings. [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/185/conversions/UjDKRkJfZXlXcoK6zW3R-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/nanny-payslips-explained)By Mark Hudson · 26 September, 2025 ### [Nanny Pay Day: What Really Happens Behind the Scenes](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/nanny-payslips-explained) What really happens between hitting “submit” on your nanny’s hours and the money landing in their bank account? Join us for a behind-the-scenes peek at the mysterious, magical journey of a nanny’s pay run at Pay The Nanny. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/nanny-payslips-explained) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/155/conversions/RXK0Yx76QbsOFmju9L1v-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/helicopter-parents)By Mark Hudson · 29 May, 2025 ### [Helicopter parenting: What it is (and how to avoid it)](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/helicopter-parents) Helicopter parenting is common, but it can hold kids back. Learn what it is, how to spot the signs, and how hiring a great nanny can help you step back while supporting your child’s independence. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/helicopter-parents) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/186/conversions/kxo2X3uAcK9ahe0ZMcXn-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/leave-for-nannies-in-australia)By Mark Hudson · 29 September, 2025 ### [Understanding Leave Entitlements for Nannies](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/leave-for-nannies-in-australia) When you hire a nanny in Australia, you also take on the role of employer. That means leave entitlements like annual leave, personal leave, and public holidays apply. Here’s a simple guide for families to understand nanny entitlements and stay compliant. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/leave-for-nannies-in-australia) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/131/conversions/VT1XcF32zjcixnR2PeJ0-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/hourly-rates-for-nannies-in-australia-in-2022)By Mark Hudson · 15 March, 2022 ### [Hourly Rates for Nannies in Australia in 2022](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/hourly-rates-for-nannies-in-australia-in-2022) Curious about how much a nanny cost back in 2022? This guide outlines typical hourly rates, entitlements, and employer obligations from that year. For the most up-to-date info, be sure to check out our 2025 nanny pay guide—it's packed with everything you need to know this year. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/hourly-rates-for-nannies-in-australia-in-2022) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/71/conversions/m3PDTnpDQAGCmn5rcUrF-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/5-qualities-every-nanny-should-look-for-in-a-family)By Mark Hudson · 05 October, 2021 ### [5 Qualities Every Nanny Should Look For in a Family](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/5-qualities-every-nanny-should-look-for-in-a-family) Hiring a nanny is only half the job—being a great employer is what keeps them around. From contracts to communication, here are 5 must-do tips to build trust, show respect, and make sure your nanny feels valued and supported. It’s a two-way street, and it starts with you. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.com.au/articles/5-qualities-every-nanny-should-look-for-in-a-family) ![Pay the nanny](https://paythenanny.com.au/images/logo-white.png)Join Our Community Stay in the loop! 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