Working Life in 1890’2 Australia

Well how would you like to hear about what it was like to be a servant in the late 1800’s. There were servants that lived in as in their wages include food and lodgings, these servants would start their day around 6.00am earlier on wash days.

Tasks undertaken by the servants included house cleaning but also they might be expected to deal with deliverers of milk, bread, meat and vegetables that would be delivered to affluent homes. They may also have to mind the children and do the mending and sewing under the direction of the mistress.

From 7.30pm provided she had completed her daily duties she would be permitted free time and could go out, she would, however, be expected to be back and I bed by 10pm. There were no days off and she was expected to attend church on Sundays, sitting a few rows back from the family.

Some servants would be accepted into the family, respected by the mistress and master and loved by the children.

During the troubled 1890’s housemaids made around 10 shillings per week, cooks made between 15 & 20 shillings, laundresses got between 15 -17 shillings, nursemaids and general servants got paid between 6 & 12 shillings per week.

During the 1880-90’s there became a servant problem with many mistresses finding it difficult hiring servants as due to the increase in industry many preferred to work in factories. They could live at home and spend their free time with friends. This shortage made it hard on those who were servants who had more work to do.