How much does pet sitting & boarding cost in Australia?
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Key takeaways
- Most pet sitting & boarding jobs in Australia land between A$35–A$150 — known locally as pet sitter / boarding kennel.
- In Australia, commercial boarding and breeding facilities are regulated by state animal-welfare codes and local council approvals; in-home pet sitting is largely unregulated, so insurance and reviews on platforms like Mad Paws and Pawshake carry the trust.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Pet Sitting & Boarding prices by job size in Australia
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doggy daycare (single day) Supervised daytime care at a facility | A$35 | A$50 | A$70 |
| Kennel / boarding (per night) Overnight stay at a boarding facility | A$40 | A$55 | A$85 |
| In-home overnight sitting (per night) Sitter stays in your home or hosts your pet | A$60 | A$90 | A$150 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per night (boarding) | A$40 | A$55 | A$85 |
| per night (in-home sitting) | A$60 | A$90 | A$150 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Australia typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a pet sitting & boarding pro in Australia
- Verify insurance
- Do a meet-and-greet and, for boarding, tour the facility
- Confirm vaccination (including C5/kennel cough) requirements in writing
- Check council registration/approval for boarding facilities
- Compare platform protections (Pawshake/Mad Paws) against independents
- Confirm holiday rates and cancellation terms
Red flags
- No insurance
- No vaccination requirements
- No meet-and-greet or tour offered
- Vague emergency-vet plan
- No references
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to AUD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Pawshake / Mad Paws AU rate data; Extrapolated from US/UK boarding guides at AUD wage levels.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a pet sitter or boarder before booking?
Ask about insurance, licensing where it applies, how many animals they take, their emergency-vet plan, whether dogs are ever left unsupervised, vaccination requirements, and ask for references or reviews. A meet-and-greet before booking is standard.
What happens if my pet gets sick while I'm away?
A professional sitter or boarder has your vet's details, written authority to seek treatment up to an agreed limit, insurance, and an emergency contact plan. Confirm all of this in writing before you travel — verbal assurances aren't enough.
Do pet boarders and sitters need a licence?
It varies. Some countries license home boarding, daycare and commercial kennels with inspections and star ratings; elsewhere it's unregulated and insurance plus references are the trust signal. Always check what applies where you live before assuming a sitter is vetted.
How much does pet sitting or boarding cost?
Doggy daycare is a per-day rate, kennel/boarding is per night, and in-home overnight sitting costs the most because the sitter stays with or visits your pet. Prices rise for larger dogs, multiple pets, holidays and special-needs animals.
What vaccinations does my pet need to board?
Reputable boarders require up-to-date core vaccinations and usually kennel cough (bordetella) for dogs, with proof before arrival. If a facility doesn't ask for vaccination records, that's a red flag about the health of the other animals there.
Kennel boarding, home boarding or a live-in sitter — what's the difference?
Kennels house your pet in a licensed facility with other animals; home boarding places them in a sitter's own home; a live-in or drop-in sitter keeps your pet in your house. Anxious, elderly or unsocial pets usually do better at home; sociable dogs often enjoy a good kennel or daycare.
Is in-home sitting safer than a kennel?
It's less stressful for many pets and keeps them in a familiar environment, but 'safer' depends on the person — an insured, referenced in-home sitter beats a poor kennel, and a well-run licensed kennel beats an unvetted stranger. Judge the individual, not just the format.
What does dog boarding cost in Australia?
Kennel boarding typically runs AUD 40-85 a night, in-home overnight sitting AUD 60-150, and daycare AUD 35-70 a day, with holiday premiums.
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