Home pet grooming studio
Groom dogs in a converted garage or laundry at home, one appointment at a time.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small, set-up grooming space at your home with a bath, grooming table and dryer, where owners drop off pets for a wash, clip and nail trim.
Your first three steps
- Complete a grooming course and practise on friends' and family's pets
- Check with your local council whether you need approval for a home-based business, and plan a waterproof, safe space
- Set up an ABN, get insurance and start taking bookings through social media and local Facebook groups
Who pays
Local pet owners who want a calm, one-on-one alternative to a busy salon.
How it makes money
A set price per appointment by breed and size, plus add-ons. Booking one dog at a time keeps it low-stress and rebookings build steady income.
Skills that help
- Animal handling and reading dog body language
- Clipping and bathing techniques
- Booking and time management
- Friendly communication with owners
Watch out for
- Council approval for home-based businesses and any limits on customer visits, noise or signage
- Public liability insurance with care, custody and control cover
- Noise and fur or drainage issues for neighbours; check your lease or strata rules if relevant
- Never leave pets unattended and have a plan for emergencies and vet contact
- Physical strain on back and shoulders
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: home pet grooming studio
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.
Free preview: summary
- What it is: A one-dog-at-a-time grooming studio in a garage or laundry at home. You wash, dry, clip and nail-trim dogs for local owners.
- Startup cost (estimate): About $2,700 to $14,000 for equipment, insurance, council costs and a buffer, before any training. A course adds about $1,500 to $8,000 if you need one.
- Earning potential (estimate): At about $100 per groom, 5 dogs a week brings in roughly $2,200 a month in revenue and 10 a week roughly $4,300. Costs come out of that, and the figures exclude tax and your own super.
- 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 home pet grooming studio?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the equipment you choose, such as a bath, grooming table and dryer, and how you set up your garage or laundry.
How much can you earn grooming pets from home?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many appointments you take each week and your local area. Treat these as estimates only, not guaranteed earnings.
What should I check before grooming dogs at home in Australia?
Check council approval for home-based businesses and any limits on customer visits, noise or signage. Also check public liability insurance with care, custody and control cover, and your lease or strata rules if relevant.
Other ways to run this business
Mobile pet grooming van
Drive a fitted grooming van to owners' driveways and groom dogs and cats on the spot.
- A$20k-90k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Pet grooming salon
Open a small shopfront salon with regular bookings and room to add a second groomer.
- A$30k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Similar pet ideas
Home-based goldfish and aquarium supplies
Sell goldfish and fish-keeping supplies from a home fish room by appointment, plus local pickup orders.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based pedigree cat breeder
Breed a small number of healthy, registered cats at home and rehome kittens to pet and show buyers.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online bird supplies store
Sell bird food, toys, cages and accessories online to bird owners, without needing a shopfront.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Home-based cat boarding with a few pens
Convert a spare room or outbuilding into a few quiet cat pens at home.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online pond supplies store
Sell pond liners, pumps, filters and treatments online to garden owners and hobbyists across Australia.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Small-scale home dog breeder
Breed one or two healthy, health-tested litters a year of a breed you know well and match puppies with good homes.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Photo: alektas on Pixabay