Recommend a babysitter?

I have used Nannies4hire.com to hire all my nannies. The nannies are very responsive and always dependable. We have had great success with Nannies4hire.com and would highly recommend them.
http://www.nannies4hire.com

Without shelling out for a nanny, I think you’re pretty much out of options.

It’s hard enough to get normal childcare after being on waiting lists for up to a year (or more), let alone short-notice irregular care.

Casual child care is hard to find in Canberra and most centres will still require at least one week’s notice for occasional care.

There is a large contingent of parents in Canberra who have similar work arrangements and without families in town to help out. I highly recommend joining a playgroup and meeting other parents in the same boat who you can share the care with. You make friends and your child will have someone to play with. On the down-side you would need to do your fair share of minding for other people as well.

Advertising at UC, CIT or ANU for a private nanny could be worthwhile as well.

Which side of Canb?

I haven’t used an agency here in Canberra before but I have used findababysitter.com.au to find some really lovely babysitters

If you’re in the Southside try Appletree at Erindale. Not sure how it works but they do offer occassional care.