{"id":262306,"date":"2024-09-19T08:57:56","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T22:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/?p=262306"},"modified":"2026-05-31T08:26:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T22:26:15","slug":"pet-sitter-wage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/pet-sitter-wage\/","title":{"rendered":"Does a Minimum Wage apply to Pet Sitters in Australia?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Australia, Self Employed Pet Sitters Dog Walkers and Groomers are generally not covered by a National Award for minimum wage due to the nature of their work. Here are a few key reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Work is on a per job basis<\/strong>: Dog walks are hourly recurring, doggy day care is a block of 8 hours during the day, pet boarding is a block of 24hours, home visits are 20 minutes, dog washing is 30 mins to 1 hour. Similar to other gig economy jobs, pet sitters often work on a per-job basis, with varying fees depending on the service, time, and client. Gig work often escapes the typical employer-employee relationship needed to apply for an Award.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Marketplace Platforms<\/strong>: Many pet sitters use service platforms like PetCloud<\/u><\/strong><\/a> to find clients. These platforms act as intermediaries between sitters and pet owners rather than employers, meaning the sitters are responsible for setting their own rates, rather than being paid a set wage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Independent Contractor Status<\/strong>: Most pet sitters operate as independent contractors or freelancers, not employees. They set their own rates, hours, and work conditions, which makes them outside the scope of minimum wage protections under an Award.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. No Specific Award<\/strong>: Right now there is no specific Award under Australia’s Fair Work Act that directly covers pet sitting services. The National Awards system is industry-based, and pet sitting doesn’t fall neatly into an existing category like hospitality or retail.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    While pet sitters may not have a national minimum wage under an Award, they can set their own rates on their listing, set their chosen refund policy and select their terms with clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So what price should you charge?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In\u00a0comparison<\/em>, entry-level employed positions start at $56,609 per year. The median salary of an employed Animal Attendant in Australia (where\u00a0award rates<\/u><\/a>\u00a0do apply) is $64,496 per year <\/strong>or\u00a0$33.07 per <\/strong>hour as a Casual, while most experienced workers make up to $75,325 per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On top<\/em> of their wage, they are also paid<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n