American Institute For Foreign Study

What American Institute For Foreign Study does

AIFS Australia (The American Institute For Foreign Study (Australia) Pty Ltd) is the Asia Pacific hub of a 60-year-old cultural exchange organization founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1964 by Sir Cyril Taylor, Roger Walther, and Doug Burck. Operating from its Sydney headquarters at Darlinghurst and a regional office in Melbourne, the company facilitates bilateral youth cultural exchange programs serving young people aged 18-35 in Australia and globally. Outbound programs include Camp America (9-12 week U.S. summer camp placements at $699 AUD), Au Pair in America (12-month live-in childcare), Au Pair in France, Winter Work Japan (¥1,100-1,500/hour seasonal resort work), and Winter Work Canada ($18-22 CAD/hour). Inbound programs include AIFS Au Pair Australia and Work & Travel Australia, placing international participants with Australian host families and employers for 6-12 months.

The company operates web-based application platforms (My Camp America, enginehire.io, JotForm), uses HubSpot for CRM and marketing automation, and runs multi-channel direct-to-consumer marketing via website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube segmented by program), email, online information sessions, and career expos across Australia. Revenue comes entirely from one-time program fees paid by participants, with tiered pricing and bundled-program discounts (e.g., $100 AUD off combining Camp America with Winter Work). AIFS holds Child Wise accreditation, is a member of CAPAA (with its Au Pair Manager serving as Chairperson), and is approved by the U.S. Government as the original Au Pair organization. The company is privately held by the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, with all profits directed to charitable causes. AIFS has served over 1.8 million participants since 1964, with 55,000+ participating annually from 60+ countries across 10 global offices.

Name

American Institute For Foreign Study

Legal name

The American Institute For Foreign Study (Australia) Pty Ltd

Website

https://aifs.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AIFS Australia is the Asia Pacific hub of a 60-year-old cultural exchange organization, facilitating youth programs (Camp America, Au Pair, Winter Work) between Australia, the U.S., Canada, Japan, and France for individuals aged 18-35.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Help Supply Services (7363)

akta.pro primary industry

Au Pair Placement & Matching Services (HSAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Au Pair & Live-In Care Placement Agencies (HSAAALAG), Au Pair Program Sponsorship & Compliance (Visa/Host Family Support) (HSAAAEAB), Host Family Screening, Onboarding & Training (HSAAAEAC), Paid Placement & Au Pair/Working Holiday Placement Programs (EDAIAFAD)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• Youth travel programs
• Au pair agency
• Working holiday programs
• International student exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Darlinghurst

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: AIFS generates revenue through program fees charged to participants for cultural exchange and travel programs. Fees vary by program and duration: Camp America ($699 AUD), Winter Work Japan ($1799 AUD), Winter Work Canada ($1699 AUD), Au Pair in Australia ($895 USD/£750 GBP), Work & Travel Australia ($795 USD/£595 GBP), and Au Pair in France ($995-1395 AUD). Fees cover application processing, placement services, orientation, and ongoing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AIFS is a cultural exchange organization that places young people aged 18-35 into international programs including au pair host family placements, American summer camp counselor roles (Camp America), and seasonal winter resort work in Japan and Canada. The company also facilitates inbound exchange to Australia through AIFS Au Pair Australia and Work & Travel Australia. Services include application processing, visa sponsorship, pre-arranged jobs and accommodation, orientation, and 24/7 in-country emergency support.

Product overview

AIFS operates as a cultural exchange and youth travel organization offering multiple distinct programs across outbound and inbound categories. The outbound programs include Camp America (summer camp counseling), Winter Work Japan, Winter Work Canada, Au Pair in America, and Au Pair in France. The inbound programs include AIFS Au Pair (Australia) for international au pairs coming to Australia, and Work & Travel Australia. The company also provides application processing, visa sponsorship support, 24/7 emergency support, and pre/post-departure orientations for all participants. Programs can be bundled for discounts, and the company has been operating since 1964 with over 1.8 million participants served.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Camp America A 9-12 week summer camp placement program for participants aged 18+ to work at American summer camps as counselors or support staff. Includes visa sponsorship (J-1), accommodation, meals, and up to 30 days of post-camp travel.
• Au Pair in America A 12-month live-in childcare and cultural exchange program for participants aged 18-26 placed with American host families. Includes free accommodation, board, weekly stipend ($195.75-$300 USD), and $500+ study allowance for U.S. college courses.
• Winter Work Japan A working holiday program for young people aged 18-30 to work at Japanese winter resorts (November/December to March/April) in roles such as guest services, retail, food & beverage, and hospitality. Jobs and staff housing are secured before departure.
• Winter Work Canada A seasonal work program for applicants aged 19-35 to work at Canadian winter resorts (November to April) in hotels, restaurants, and tourism businesses in regions including Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, and Tremblant.
• Au Pair in France A 6 or 12-month au pair program placing participants with French host families for childcare and cultural exchange. Includes weekly pocket money (€80-90), full board, and free time to learn French and explore France.
• AIFS Au Pair Australia An inbound au pair program placing international participants aged 18-30 with Australian host families for 6-12 months. Includes childcare duties, accommodation, meals, pocket money, completion bonus, and free access to Work & Travel Australia program.
• Work & Travel Australia A comprehensive working holiday package for participants aged 18-35 to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months. Includes job placement assistance, travel advice, accommodation recommendations, and AIFS discounts and support throughout the placement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.8 million young people have experienced life-changing cultural exchange through AIFS programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Flight CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive deals with Flight Centre for Camp America participants to book flights at discounted rates.
• Child WisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIFS is accredited by Child Wise, an organization focused on child protection. This accreditation is particularly relevant for the Au Pair programs where participants work with children.
• CAPAA (Cultural Au Pair Association of Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIFS is a member of CAPAA, the industry association for Au Pair agencies in Australia. The company's Au Pair Manager serves as Chairperson of CAPAA.
• AFS Intercultural ProgramsminorOthersAIFS supports AFS International through Sir Cyril Taylor Young Leaders Awards and teacher training programs, promoting global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding.
• Agahozo-Shalom Youth VillageminorOthersAIFS supports this Rwanda-based youth village providing education and supplies to orphans and vulnerable youth.
• AIFS FoundationminorOthersScholarships to non-AIFS students and annual publications on education and cultural exchange.
• US Winter Resorts and CampscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAIFS partners with hundreds of camps across the USA (Camp America) and ski resorts in Canada and Japan (Winter Work). These partners provide employment for participants and are screened by AIFS.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GoAuPair: US-designated au pair agency focused on au pair placement and host family matching. Operates in the same Au Pair in America category as AIFS with similar screening, training, and matching services.
• InterExchange: US-based nonprofit running au pair, Work & Travel, and Camp USA programs under J-1 visa sponsorship. Overlaps directly with AIFS's Camp America, Au Pair in America, and Work & Travel Australia offerings.
• Au Pair International / GreatAuPair: Online au pair matching platform and placement agency with a global host family network. Competes with AIFS on host family acquisition and au pair matchmaking in both US and Australian markets.
• Cultural Care Au Pair: Operated by EF Education First, Cultural Care is one of the largest US-designated au pair agencies globally. It directly competes with AIFS's Au Pair in America and Australia programs on placement, screening, and host family acquisition.
• EurAuPair: US-designated au pair agency placing European au pairs with American host families. Competes on the same Au Pair in America placement market as AIFS with a comparable placement-fee revenue model.
• BUNAC: British-based work and travel organisation offering working holiday programs in North America, Australia, and beyond. Overlaps with AIFS Work & Travel Australia and Winter Work programs on the participant funnel.
• CCUSA (Camp Counsellors USA): A long-running summer camp placement agency placing international staff at US summer camps. Directly competes with AIFS Camp America on the same J-1 visa-based camp counsellor funnel.

Broad incumbents

• AFS Intercultural Programs: Global nonprofit cultural exchange organisation offering high school study abroad and gap year programs. While AIFS's parent entity already supports AFS through charitable contributions, AFS is a complementary/adjacent competitor in the broader cultural exchange category, especially for younger student segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CampamericaAu
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/AIFS-Winter-Work-Japan-Canada/61573024164632
• Instagraminstagram.com/aifswinterwork
• Xx.com/AIFSAuPair

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Institute For Foreign Study