What Does a Household Manager Do? A Guide for Busy Australian Families

A well-run home takes time, planning and plenty of small tasks. A Household Manager helps keep those moving parts organised, giving busy families more time to focus on work, family and rest. You may also see the role called a house manager.

The exact duties depend on the household. A Household Manager might organise family schedules, prepare meals, run errands or help keep the home in order. The role is shaped around agreed priorities, not a one-size-fits-all task list. You can learn more about Household Manager support from Placement Solutions.

What does a Household Manager do?

A Household Manager can take responsibility for practical tasks that help a household run smoothly. These may include:

• Organising the home: keeping household systems, supplies and shared spaces in order.
• Cooking and meal planning: preparing meals and planning what the family needs for the week.
• Managing family calendars: keeping track of appointments, activities and household commitments.
• Running errands: shopping for groceries and household items, collecting orders and handling other agreed tasks.
• Coordinating household needs: arranging deliveries, communicating with tradespeople or service providers, and keeping an eye on maintenance.
• Providing practical support: helping with laundry, tidying or other domestic tasks, depending on the role.

Some families need help with a few regular tasks; others want someone to coordinate more of the household’s day-to-day operations. Agreeing on priorities, hours and responsibilities at the outset helps everyone understand what the role includes.

For more help with creating practical home systems, see Placement Solutions’ guide to professional organising.

How is a Household Manager different from a Nanny Educator?

A Nanny Educator is primarily responsible for children’s care, supervision and development. A Household Manager focuses on the organisation and practical running of the home. For example, a Nanny Educator may manage a child’s routine and prepare their meals, while a Household Manager may plan family dinners, organise groceries and coordinate appointments.

Some roles combine household duties with childcare, but it is important to define which responsibilities take priority. Clear expectations help prevent a Household Manager from being assumed to provide childcare, or a Nanny Educator from being expected to manage the whole household.

Read more about choosing between a House Manager and a Nanny Educator. Related article: [blog link: combining household management and childcare].

Who might benefit, and what about NDIS support?

A Household Manager may suit families balancing demanding work schedules, caring responsibilities or a busy calendar. Support can also be helpful during a period of change, such as returning to work or adjusting to new household routines.

Some Household Managers support NDIS participants with daily tasks at home, such as meal preparation, shopping, organising and other agreed practical assistance. The tasks and funding arrangements need to suit the participant’s needs and plan. A Household Manager is not automatically an NDIS support worker simply because they assist around the home; discuss the scope of support and relevant funding before arrangements begin. For more information, see NDIS household tasks and support at home.

Pay, experience and choosing support

Where pay is discussed, qualified childcare workers are paid under the Children’s Services Award. Some Household Managers and NDIS support workers are paid under the SCHADS Award, while some roles are covered by the Miscellaneous Award. The relevant award depends on the role and employment arrangements.

Placement Solutions is Australia’s oldest established nanny agency, founded in 1988 and still Australian-owned and operated by the original owner. Its awards include the 2018 APNA (USA) Excellence in Agency Services award. Founder Louise Dunham received the 2018 APNA Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2022 INA Meritorious Service Award and the inaugural 2025 AHCA Life Membership Award. Placement Solutions supports families in Melbourne and Sydney.

Takeaway: A Household Manager looks after the practical organisation of home life, from calendars and cooking to errands and household coordination. Define the tasks clearly, and the role can be tailored to what your family needs most.

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