How to Start a Pet Sitting Business in Australia: 9 Steps to Real, Consistent Income

Trying to serve “all pet owners” makes your business invisible. Choose a niche instead, such as:

• Busy professionals
• Frequent travellers
• Elderly pet owners
• Owners of anxious or high maintenance pets

For example: “We help busy Brisbane professionals care for their pets while they travel, without stress or uncertainty.” Specific is valuable.

From my experience, selling the same offer to everyone is one of the fastest ways to stall growth. You attract customers who question your pricing, push back on your service and make you second guess your value.

I now lean towards customers who value quality over the cheapest option, take pride in doing things properly and are proactive rather than reactive. Think of people who service their car regularly instead of waiting for it to break down, or pet owners who stay on top of vaccinations. They’re actively looking for a service they can trust.

Before you charge clients in Australia, you’ll need an Australian Business Number (ABN). It legally identifies you as a business when you invoice, pay tax and operate professionally.

Applying for an ABN is free through the Australian Government’s Business Registration Service at register.business.gov.au. While you’re there, check the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) for any local licences or permits, especially if you plan to board pets in your own home.

An ABN also changes how people see you. Clients are far more likely to book a registered business than something informal or cash based. Setting up your ABN, invoicing and payment processes early makes it much easier to add insurance and accounting tools as you grow.

Working with animals means things can go wrong, even when you do everything right. One incident without cover can undo months or years of progress.

You don’t have to use a pet industry specific insurer. Comparison sites like BizCover (no affiliation) make it easy to compare options.

Necessary cover:

• Public liability (covers injury or property damage claims)
• Professional indemnity (covers advice or service related claims)

Nice to have:

• Portable equipment cover (leads, grooming gear and other tools)
• Personal accident and illness (income protection if you can’t work)

Insurance isn’t just paperwork. It protects your income and your reputation.

Value increases when you reduce your customer’s risk, time and effort. For example:

• Reduce time: offer same day bookings.
• Reduce effort: include a free first visit or meet and greet.
• Reduce risk: add GPS walk tracking or photo report cards.

You’re not just pet sitting. You’re delivering certainty, trust and convenience.

Some things that could set you apart:

• Send written reports with photos after every service
• Match response times to client expectations (calls answered the first time, texts replied to within an hour, emails answered the same day)
• Charge full price for your core service but include an extra “welcome” service at no cost

This lowers the barrier for new clients to try us. Once they experience the service, trust builds quickly, and that’s what turns a one time booking into a long term customer.

Low prices attract the wrong customers and create stress. Instead:

• Price based on reliability and trust
• Offer packages, like weekly visits, holiday bundles and premium care tiers
• Include a guarantee, such as “If you’re not happy, we’ll make it right”

I used to run discounts in my own business to bring in volume. It created enquiries, but also brought in price sensitive clients who were harder to please and less loyal. When we raised our core price, added a free welcome service instead of discounting and introduced a referral program, the quality of our customers improved almost overnight.

How much do pet sitters charge in Australia?

Pricing varies with experience, location and service level. As a general guide:

• $15 to $30 per day: entry level and casual sitters, high competition and low margins.
• $40 to $60 per day: balanced mid range pricing for a reliable, professional service. Around $50 per day is a solid starting point.
• $70 to $100+ per day: premium positioning for around 1.5 hours of daily care, backed by strong reviews, guarantees and proven results.

Higher prices are easier to justify when you have strong reviews and repeat clients, a clear service guarantee, premium communication like daily photos and report cards, and specialised care for anxious pets, medication or multi pet households.

Charging premium prices before you have proof, systems or a reputation can make it harder to get started. Build trust first, then raise your rates.

Don’t spend months building a website no one sees. Momentum matters more than perfection. Try:

• Posting in local Facebook community groups
• Listing on pet service platforms and directories
• Letterbox drops and door knocking
• Asking friends, family and neighbours
• Offering a limited “founding client” deal

Most early clients won't come from someone stumbling across your website or social media. They'll come from direct outreach (as in you reach out to them directly), so don't be afraid to letter box drop or other methods to get your name out there.

Pet sitting is a trust based business. Show:

• Reviews and testimonials
• Photos with the pets you care for
• Real client stories
• Before and after changes, like an anxious pet becoming calm

One of the most effective things you can do early is set up a Google Business Profile and ask every new client for a review and a referral.

Even 3 to 5 strong testimonials can outperform a polished website. I've always focused on getting reviews on a Google Business Profile first, then reuse those reviews across Facebook ads and posts.

When new clients see real feedback everywhere they look, it builds credibility far faster than any marketing claim you have.

If you want more than a side hustle:

• Create checklists for every visit
• Standardise your messages and updates
• Use booking and payment software
• Record each client’s pet care preferences

I use a CRM system that automatically creates the next tasks when a client is added, you can do the same to collect pet information, creating a repeat job, completing service reports and sending invoices. Most modern systems connect with tools like Xero and Stripe, so bookings, payments and invoicing all run smoothly from day one.

You don’t need a complex system at the start. But the less you rely on memory, the easier it is to grow without things slipping through the cracks.

It’s easier to sell more to existing clients than to find new ones. Once you have regular clients, add:

• Dog walking
• Grooming coordination
• Pet transport
• Subscription care plans

Many clients naturally move into more frequent services once they trust you. Weekly walks are a great example. When the owner later goes on holiday, their pet already knows you, which makes the stay less stressful for everyone. Our best clients often rebook a year ahead, which gives them peace of mind and helps us plan.