What the Payscale figure tells you
Payscale collects pay reported by people in a job. For dog walkers in Australia its page shows an average of AU$22.98 an hour and a range of AU$15 to AU$35, from 19 profiles, last updated May 2026. Nineteen people is not many, so the average is a starting point rather than a wage you can expect.
An hourly figure also hides the real question for a self-employed walker: how many paid walks fit into an hour. Travel between homes, waiting at a door and writing an update after each walk all take time you are not paid for directly.
What owners pay per walk
These are the prices owners see, not what you take home. On Petme, walkers set their own rate. The bands most walkers list are:
| Where | Typical price per walk |
|---|---|
| Capital cities and their commuter belts (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong and Mandurah) | $28 to $45 |
| Regional cities (for example Ballarat, Bendigo, Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns and Launceston) | $22 to $35 |
From each completed booking you keep up to 90%. Out of that come your own costs: fuel or transport, leads and poo bags, any insurance you choose to carry, and tax. What is left depends on how many walks you do, how close together they are, and how much of your week you give to it.
What moves your earnings
- Clustering. Walks in the same few streets mean less unpaid travel between them.
- Repeat clients. A dog walked three times a week every week fills your diary with less effort than finding new owners.
- Your rate. You set it, so price for your area and your experience, and review it as reviews build up.
- Other services. Walkers who also do drop-in visits or boarding can fill the gaps around walks, especially over the summer school holidays when owners travel.
Tax and the ABN question
If walking dogs for paying clients is something you do regularly to make a profit, it points to a business, and business.gov.au says a hobby is not eligible for an ABN. Without an ABN, a business that pays you must withhold 47%. Our guide to ABNs for pet sitting and dog walking quotes the rules in full.
Getting started as a dog walker
On Petme you set your rate, choose your area and accept the bookings that fit your week. Every walker completes identity verification and a background check. City guides cover local walking spots and demand: see becoming a dog walker in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, or browse dog walking jobs in Australia by city.
Dog walker earnings in Australia: FAQ
How much do dog walkers make in Australia per hour?
Payscale puts the average at AU$22.98 an hour, with a range of AU$15 to AU$35, based on 19 salary profiles updated in May 2026. The sample is small, so treat it as a rough guide rather than a wage you can expect.
How much should I charge for dog walking in Australia?
Owners on Petme typically see $28 to $45 a walk listed in capital cities and $22 to $35 in regional cities. Set your rate within the range for your area, then adjust it as you build reviews and repeat clients.
How much of the walk price does a Petme walker keep?
You keep up to 90% of each completed booking. Your own costs, such as transport and gear, and your tax come out of that, so the amount you take home depends on how many walks you fit in and how close together they are.
Do I need an ABN to be a dog walker in Australia?
You need one if your dog walking is a business, meaning regular, repeated work done for a profit. A hobby is not eligible for an ABN, and without one, businesses that pay you must withhold 47%, according to business.gov.au.
Can I walk dogs part time alongside another job?
Yes. On Petme you choose when you are available and which bookings to accept, so walks can fit around another job, for example before work, at lunchtime or on weekends.
