{"id":181213,"date":"2016-12-29T22:05:34","date_gmt":"2016-12-29T12:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/legal-requirements-of-being-a-pet-sitter-in-australia\/"},"modified":"2022-09-30T08:21:33","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T22:21:33","slug":"legal-requirements-of-being-a-pet-sitter-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/legal-requirements-of-being-a-pet-sitter-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal Requirements of being a Pet Sitter in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you keen to start a pet sitting business? PetCloud is here to help you find out what you need to know before you begin.<\/h3>\n
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  1. By law, all Pet Sitters in Australia need Public Liability Insurance.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In Australia, if you own a pet sitting business, you can be liable for damages or injuries to another person or property.\u00a0 In the eyes of the law, pets are considered property. Public Liability cover is a legal requirement for people looking after pets for money. As in accordance with Australian law, if a domestic animal causes an accident or injures a third party, the person who is in control of the animal at that moment is responsible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    PetCloud pays for every booking to be covered by Public Liability insurance so that you don\u2019t have to worry!\u00a0 Without insurance, you could also be up for big Vet bills for example, up to $16,000 if a Pet swallows an object while in your care and requires surgery to remove it.\u00a0 Do you have a spare $16,000 sitting in your account? If not, working with PetCloud is a great option as you will have all bookings covered by our public liability insurance.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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    1. By law, Pet Sitters may be required to have an ABN.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      As a Pet Sitter in Australia, you need to be aware of any tax obligations you might have, and you may be required to have an ABN. As a rough guide, if your payments for pet sitting have hit the $18K level in one complete financial year from 1 July \u2013 30 June (the threshold is $18,200), then this is also evidence for the to suggest that there is enough repetition in your activities for it to be considered a \u201cbusiness\u201d rather than a \u201chobby\u201d and therefore, if you don\u2019t supply PetCloud with an ABN, before your next pet sitting job, <\/span>the Australian Tax Office have asked us to withhold 47% from your next payment<\/span><\/a>. You can prevent this by <\/span>applying for an ABN<\/span><\/a> or providing us with a Statement by a Supplier to say that what you do is a hobby.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      To be sure, we recommend you book an appointment with a Taxation Accountant.\u00a0 Refer to the <\/span>Australian Taxation Office<\/span><\/a> website for more info or you may wish to call them on the Personal Tax Info Line <\/span>132 861<\/b> or the Small Business Info Line: <\/span>132 866<\/b>. \u00a0 Read about <\/span>expenses you can claim as a Pet Sitter in Australia<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. By law, you may need a Permit<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        In most councils throughout Australia, you must apply for a domestic dog permit if you keep more than 2 dogs.\u00a0 \u00a0 You may also require <\/span>development approval<\/span><\/a> depending on the location and activity (e.g. a home based business or animal keeping). If the keeping of the animals is authorised under a development approval issued by Council, you will not require a permit under the <\/span>Animals Local Law 2017<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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        1. By law Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers have a legal duty of care<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          If you are in charge of an animal, you have a legal duty of care to that animal, by the <\/span>Animal Care and Protection Act 2001<\/span><\/a> to provide for its needs in a reasonable way \u2013 no matter why you are in charge of it, or how long it will be in your care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Duty of care is based on the <\/span>internationally recognised \u20185 freedoms\u2019 of Animal Welfare<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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          1. Providing food and water<\/span><\/li>\n
          2. Providing accommodation or living conditions<\/span><\/li>\n
          3. Understanding your animal\u2019s normal behavioural patterns<\/span><\/li>\n
          4. Treating disease and injury<\/span><\/li>\n
          5. Handling the animal appropriately.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Appropriate care takes into consideration the animal\u2019s species, environment and circumstances, such as its age and where it lives, and what steps a reasonable person would take in the circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ensure the Pet Owner has followed their legal obligations as a responsible Pet Owner:<\/b><\/p>\n