Paid house and pet sitter
Stay in clients' homes while they travel, caring for the house, garden and pets.
- A$200-800
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You live in a client's home for a few days or weeks while they are away. You feed and walk pets, bring in the mail, water plants, and keep the place secure and lived in.
Your first three steps
- Set a nightly rate by checking what local sitters and pet minders charge in your area
- Get public liability insurance and a police check, and gather two or three references
- Tell friends, neighbours, local vets and community groups, and ask for a trial stay and a review
Who pays
Homeowners going on holiday or away for work, especially those with pets, older people, and busy families.
How it makes money
A flat nightly or daily rate per stay, often with extras for multiple pets, medication, long walks or garden care.
Skills that help
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Comfortable with animals
- Good communication with owners
- Flexible with your time
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether it covers care of pets and clients' property
- Trust and key handling, so use a written agreement covering duties, emergencies and vet authority
- Check whether you need an ABN and when GST registration applies to your income
- Your own home and pets may need cover while you are away, and some sits are last-minute or cancelled
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: paid house and pet sitter
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a house and pet sitting business?
Startup costs are typically around $200 to $800, depending on the insurance you take out, any agreements and promotion you need. These are estimates, so get an insurance quote before you advertise.
How much can a paid house sitter earn in Australia?
Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $2,000, depending on how many stays you book and how long each lasts. Some sits are last-minute or cancelled, so income can vary from month to month.
What should I check before starting as a paid house sitter?
Check public liability insurance and whether it covers pet care and clients' property. Use a written agreement covering duties, emergencies and vet authority, check ABN and GST registration, and consider cover for your own home and pets while you are away.
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