Pet sitting in Australia: 22 questions answered for 2026 sitters

Earnings depend on the mix of services and the hours you put in. Active Petme sitters in Australia typically earn $688–$1720 per month. Sitters who lean into overnight boarding and house sitting reach the top of that range, while drop-in and dog-walking-only sitters sit in the lower half. You keep up to 90% of every booking: Petme's service fee is 10-15%.

A common pattern: 3–5 dog walks during weekday lunchtimes, 1–2 drop-in visits in the evenings, and one overnight stay across the weekend. That's roughly 12–15 hours of actual paid time per week and clears $175+ before factoring in repeat clients. Sitters who go full-time stack multiple boarding stays back-to-back.

Dog walking pays $20–$40 per walk on Petme. A 30-minute neighbourhood walk is typically priced near the lower end; longer walks, multi-dog walks, or walks in busy city centres command the upper end. You set your own rate when you build your profile.

Boarding at the sitter's home pays $45–$85 per night, and house sitting (you stay at the owner's home) pays $55–$100 per night. Boarding is where most full-time Petme sitters concentrate their income because the per-booking value is the highest.

Petme takes 10-15% from each completed booking and the sitter keeps up to 90%. There's no signup cost, no monthly subscription, and no charge to keep your profile live. The fee covers payment processing, customer support, and the Petme Protection Plan that covers every booking automatically.

Payouts are released automatically once a booking is marked complete in the Petme app. The money lands in your bank account within 2 business days. You don't need to invoice the owner or chase payment: the platform handles it end-to-end.

Every booking is covered by the Petme Protection Plan, which includes up to 20,000 in veterinary expenses if something happens to the pet in your care. It's automatic on every reservation: no separate purchase, no claim paperwork upfront. Petme also offers 24/7 customer support so you're never left handling an emergency alone.

No formal qualifications are required to apply as a Petme sitter. You need to be 18 or older, own a smartphone capable of running the app, complete ID verification, and demonstrate genuine experience around animals during your profile review. Some local rules apply for commercial-scale boarding: see the country-specific question below.

Most new sitters in Australia go live within 24–48 hours of submitting verification. Your first booking typically lands within 1–2 weeks if your profile has at least 4 good photos, a written bio, clear service descriptions, and a competitive rate for your city. Sitters who add availability over a major holiday (Christmas, summer break) often book their first stay within days.

Yes: most Petme sitters in Australia start while working full-time elsewhere. Dog walking fits into lunchtime windows; drop-in visits work around evenings; weekend boarding stacks on top of a Monday-to-Friday office job. You set your own availability and accept only the bookings that fit your schedule.

Sydney and Melbourne lead by a wide margin. Brisbane and Perth form the second tier. Adelaide, Canberra, and the Gold Coast are growing fast and competition is lighter, so new sitters book their first stay quickly.

Yes. Pet sitting income is taxable and goes on your annual return as personal services or business income. You don't need an ABN to start, but you should get one for GST registration if you cross A$75,000 gross. Expenses (gear, vehicle costs, a share of home utilities for boarding) are deductible.

Uber drivers in Sydney and Melbourne typically clear A$22-28 per hour after fuel and vehicle costs. Petme pet sitting clears A$25-40 hourly with no vehicle wear and a stronger repeat-client base. Boarding rates push effective hourly well above that.

Sydney boarding sits at A$60-85 per night, Melbourne slightly under at A$55-80, Brisbane at A$50-70. Perth and Adelaide land in the A$45-65 range. Houses with a backyard book faster and charge higher than apartment-based sitters in every city.

The Christmas to mid-January window is the single biggest peak (long summer holidays). Easter, June-July school holidays, and the September-October stretch are smaller but reliable. Many Australian sitters take their own holiday in February to recharge.

No federal licensing requirement. Some councils (especially in Sydney and Melbourne) have caps on the number of dogs per household: usually 2-3 without a permit. Strata-titled apartments often restrict commercial pet activity, so check your strata bylaws before listing boarding.

Yes for most sitters. Retail and hospitality award rates sit around A$25-30 per hour. Petme dog walkers clear A$28-40 hourly effectively, boarding sitters higher. And you set your own schedule.

Australian rates are 25-35% higher in absolute terms (A$ vs NZ$) and the market is much deeper. NZ sitters typically operate as solo specialists in Auckland and Wellington; Australian sitters can build broader portfolios across multiple suburbs.

Cavoodles, Staffies, Border Collies, and Labradors are the most common. Cavoodles are small, easy, and need brushing. Staffies are usually well-trained and chilled. Border Collies need serious exercise. Summer heat is a real consideration: afternoon walks need shade and water for every breed.

Active sitter WhatsApp groups exist for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. They share tips on summer heatstroke prevention, recommend 24-hour vets, and trade leads when someone is overbooked. We'll connect you after approval.

"Buy a decent slip-lead and a second water bowl on day one. Most of the issues you'll face in the first month are heat-and-water issues, not behavioural ones." (Emma K., Sydney)"

Apply at petme.social/au/become-a-pet-sitter. Verification is usually returned within 48 hours.