FAQs

At Coastal Babysitters, we go beyond just checking qualifications. Every sitter is handpicked, experienced, and interviewed in person and we would only ever send someone we’d trust with our own children. Our babysitters arrive early, keep you updated throughout the sit, bring their own bag of fun activities, and leave a report card so you know exactly how the session went. They all hold current Blue Cards and First Aid/CPR training specific to children. We’re proud to be backed by over 1,000 five-star Google reviews and supported by a team of mums who are here to guide you every step of the way.

Kids love us. Parents trust us.

At Coastal Babysitters, we only welcome sitters we’d trust with our own children.

Every sitter on our team holds a valid Blue Card/WWCC and is trained in First Aid and CPR, specific to babies and children. These qualifications are kept up to date and carefully checked by our team.

But we go beyond qualifications.

Our babysitters are parents, teachers, early childhood professionals, nurses, sports coaches and more. They genuinely understand children, not just how to care for them, but how to connect with them.

We’re extremely selective, because we know how much trust it takes to leave your child with someone new.

Every Coastal Babysitter has the right qualifications, but they also need to have that spark. A natural love for kids. The kind of energy that makes children feel comfortable, safe and excited to play.

Each sitter goes through our detailed screening process which includes interviews, checks, and references, all handled by our team of mums who know exactly what to look for.

Before their first booking, they also complete our Coastal Babysitters Training Academy, where we set clear expectations around safety, communication, and how we deliver care that parents trust and kids love.

And honestly, we only choose babysitters we’d feel 100% confident leaving our own kids with. We’re particular for a reason, because your family deserves the best.

Yes, they sure do.

Our babysitters can come to your home, hotel, Airbnb or wherever you’re staying. We also offer pickups and drop-offs if needed, just let us know in your booking. We’re here to make things easy for your family.

Yes, they can, only with your permission.

Our babysitters can take your children on outings like a walk to the park, a visit to the movies, or even a day at one of the local theme parks. You’ll just need to approve the outing in advance and cover the cost of the sitter’s entry or activity, along with the children’s.

If you’d prefer something more low-key, we’re also happy to take them out for a stroll or play outdoor games nearby. Just let us know what works best for you.

All of our babysitters are aged 18 and over.

Every sitter is handpicked for their experience, energy, and ability to connect with children, whether it’s getting creative with craft, kicking a ball outside, or jumping into imaginative play. Age is just a number, but being fun, responsible, and reliable? That’s non-negotiable.

Yes, absolutely.

If you have a favourite sitter, you can save them to your profile and they’ll be the first to receive all your future booking requests. We know how special it is when your child clicks with someone and we want to keep that connection going.

If it’s your first time booking and you’ve been referred to a specific sitter or seen someone you like on our website, you can request them when making your booking. We’ll always do our best to match you with the sitter you feel most comfortable with.

Your family, your preferences, we’re here to support both.

While our sitters are usually busy caring for families (and don’t have availability for in-person meet and greets), you’ll still get the chance to connect beforehand.

Your babysitter will give you a call the day before your booking to say hello, run through the plan, and answer any questions. If you’d prefer, you’re also welcome to request a quick video chat instead.

We know how important that first impression is and our sitters are amazing at helping both kids and parents feel comfortable the moment they walk through the door.

You can book a sitter through the app up to 1 hour before the start time.

If you’re looking for someone even sooner and it’s during business hours, feel free to call our team, we’ll always do our best to help.

A $20 last-minute booking fee applies to bookings made within 4 hours of the start time. This helps cover the extra effort involved in filling urgent bookings, often requiring us to act quickly or respond outside of regular hours to make sure your family is supported.

We get that life happens and we’re here for you when it does.

Our babysitting rates start from $30 per hour and may vary based on the number of children, your location, or the time of day.

You can see the most updated rates on our babysitting page.

For weddings and events, rates can vary depending on the setup and number of children. Please send us an
enquiry and our team will be in touch to chat through your needs.

The booking fee includes making sure you’re matched with an amazing sitter and supported every step of the way.

It covers things like:

• A dedicated team to help with bookings and support
• Full insurance for every booking
• Recruitment, screening, and ongoing training of our sitters
• The time, care, and community-building it takes to offer a trusted network of babysitters who genuinely love what they do
• All the behind-the-scenes work that makes your experience seamless, safe, and feel like family

It’s our way of making sure you have an incredible support network ready to go whenever you need it.

All bookings have a 3-hour minimum, and after that, time is charged in 15-minute increments.
So if your sitter stays for 3 hours and 30 minutes, you’ll only pay for exactly that, not a full extra hour.
It keeps things fair, flexible, and clear for everyone.

One babysitter can care for up to 5 children if they’re all over 3, or up to 3 children if any are under 3.

We always base the ratio on the youngest child in the group, to make sure everyone gets the attention and care they need.

If you’re unsure or have a mix of ages, just let us know and we’ll help work out what’s safest and most suitable for your family.

We offer babysitting across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and everywhere in between — including the Sunshine Coast, where we now have a small local team (no travel fee needed!).

We can also cover surrounding areas like The Hinterland and Beaudesert. These bookings may include a small travel fee depending on the distance, which we’ll always confirm with you before finalising.

If you’re not sure if your area is covered, send us a quick message or email in the contact us section of the app.

We offer overnight stays from 7pm to 7am at a flat overnight rate which is perfect for children who sleep through the night.

During an overnight stay, your sitter will help with bedtime, and once the kids are asleep, she can sleep also. A bed must be provided for the sitter, and the booking must run the full 12 hours (7pm to 7am) to qualify.

If your child wakes frequently or needs care throughout the night, or if your booking ends earlier (like 3am), this will be considered a standard babysitting booking, and the hourly rate will apply for the full duration.

If you’re not sure which option is best, feel free to ask, we’re always here to help you book the right fit for your family.

You can book a Coastal Babysitter any day, at any time, 24/7, 365 days a year, including weekends and public holidays.
Whether you need help early in the morning, late into the night, or for a full weekend away, we’re here to support you.

Our app is available to book your babysitter at any time 24/7, and our team in the office are available to support you during business hours.

Our sitters can start from as early as 4:30am, with the latest start time being 8:30pm.

Once your sitter arrives, they can stay as long as you need, until midnight, 2am, overnight, or even longer. Just let us know the times you require and we’ll take care of the rest.

We have a 3 hour minimum for all bookings. So if you return home within that time, the full 3 hours will still be charged.

If you come home earlier than planned but after the 3 hour minimum, you’ll only need to pay for the time used, charged in 15 minute increments.

Please keep in mind that our sitters accept bookings based on the hours you’ve requested, and often turn down other work to commit to your family. We always encourage open communication so we can support you both fairly.

If your child is unwell with something non-contagious, you’re welcome to book a sitter, we just ask that you clearly let us know what symptoms they have when you make the booking.

This gives our sitters the chance to decide if they’re comfortable accepting the job based on their own preferences.

If your child is sick and you don’t disclose it, and the sitter doesn’t feel comfortable continuing when they arrive, you’ll still be charged the 3-hour minimum, as that time has been held for you.

If you’re unsure whether your child’s symptoms are okay to book for, please give our office a quick call. We’re always happy to help guide you.

It is not ok to book a babysitter for a sick child but not disclose this. If the babysitter does not feel comfortable when they arrive as you have a sick child, you will still be charged a minimum of 3hrs if it was not disclosed beforehand.

Please call the office before booking if you are not sure.

For safety and insurance reasons, our babysitters are not able to supervise children in any swimming situations, including pools at home, resorts, or the beach.

We know water play is a big part of family holidays, and while our sitters can’t take the kids swimming, they can still keep little ones happily entertained nearby while you enjoy some time by the water.

Whether that’s setting up games, craft, snacks, or quiet time under a shady spot, they’re pros at keeping kids engaged and having fun, even poolside (just not in the water).