- Home/
- Costs/
- House Sitters/
- House Sitter Cost Guide
How much does house sitting cost in Australia?
Get a free quote nowPost to find a price. It's free and only takes a minute.
Average house sitting costs
$25 - $100
low
$25
median
$50
high
$100
Last Updated on
Key Facts
- House sitters typically charge $25 to $50 per hour, depending on services like pet care, gardening, and home maintenance.
- Additional charges apply for pet care, with overnight pet sitting ranging from $50 to $90 per day and dog walking costing $27 to $35 per session.
- Long-term house-sitting usually offers lower daily rates, and bundling services like pet care with house-sitting can be more cost-effective.
Leaving your home unattended while travelling can be stressful, especially when pets are involved. That’s where a house sitter comes in. They offer peace of mind by taking care of your home while you’re away.
But how much does a house sitter cost in Australia? Prices can vary widely depending on factors such as location, length of stay, and additional tasks like pet care or garden maintenance.
In this guide, we’ll explore the different factors that influence house sitter costs, the typical price ranges, and tips on finding a reliable house sitter to suit your needs and budget.
How much does a house sitter cost?
House sitters charge an hourly rate of $25 to $50 or a daily rate of $50. Depending on the added duties and responsibilities, if the job requires an overnight stay or a longer-term engagement, the rate may range from $70 to $100 per day, depending on additional duties such as pet care, gardening, and home maintenance.
What does house sitting include in Australia?
| Option | Inclusions | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
House sitting |
24-hour overnight assignment, including looking after the house and taking care of your pets |
$50 to $90 base rate per day |
Pet accommodation, feeding, etc. |
$35 per cat, per day |
|
Kennels |
Pet accommodation, exercise, feeding |
$52 to $96 per dog, per day (depending on the breed) |
A dedicated house sitter ensures plants stay healthy while the homeowner is away. (Source: Shutterstock)
House sitting price list
House sitting is highly customizable, depending on your needs, budget, and preferences. These tables can give you an idea of how much to pay a house sitter per day (or per service).
Pet-only prices
| Job | Inclusions | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
Short visits (30 mins to 1 hour) |
|
$25 |
Overnight stay for dogs, cats, and small animals |
|
$50 to $90 |
|
$27 to $35 per dog *additional $18 for an extra dog from the same house |
|
|
$20 |
|
Basic pet grooming |
|
$20 |
House & pet care prices
| Duration | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Shorter visits (up to 30 mins) |
$25 to $30 |
Half-day (up to 4 hours) |
$19 |
Overnight (24 hours) |
$50 to $90 |
A reliable house sitter makes sure pets stay happy and active while owners are away. (Source: Shutterstock)What things affect the cost of house sitters?
Various factors determine how much house sitters charge. Here's an overview, including additional services to request.
Stay length
Some homeowners only need house sitters for a few hours, while others require them for months. A three-month stay is considered long-term house sitting and generally has a lower daily rate.
Number of pets
How many pets do you have? What species and breeds are they? Do they need special medical care or supervision? How often are the walks, and how much playtime is necessary? These factors significantly affect the overall cost of house sitting.
For instance, dogs generally require more work than cats (who tend to be more independent). Furry dog breeds need regular grooming than less hairy ones. Another is if you need their cages or litter boxes cleaned regularly.
Experienced house sitters can look after dogs (of any size), cats, rabbits, hamsters, and birds. A professional house sitter can accompany your furry friend at home while continuing their routine: feeding, exercising, playing, and petting.
House size
The size of your house and garden will also affect the house-sitting service cost. How often do you want it cleaned? Large properties require much upkeep, especially if you have unique plants. These will add to the price of house sitting.
Cleaning services
Most house sitters can declutter your home and offer extra benefits, such as washing duvets, pillows, curtains, and carpets; spring cleaning services; oven or appliance cleaning; and dry cleaning drop-off and collection.
Travel expenses
Some house sitters charge reasonable travel costs during the house-sitting assignment, and it can reach a maximum of $110.
How do I know if I can trust my house sitter?
Here are some pointers for finding a reliable house sitter:
- Meet them in advance. This gives them a chance to introduce themselves and answer your questions. Treat this as an interview.
- Know their background. Ask for client testimonials or reviews to learn more about their previous work. You can also talk about their experience in other areas, such as cleaning and gardening.
- Ask about their experience in handling animals. You can also ask them how they handle specific pet emergencies. This will help you evaluate the capability of your house sitter as a pet care provider.
- Introduce the house sitter to your pets. This is especially important if they’re social animals (such as dogs and cats) so you can observe how they interact.
- Run through the necessities and special requirements. This includes the frequency of walks and plays, feeding and sleeping regimens, and your pet’s usual routine.
- Discuss about home security. Let your house sitter know how they can keep your keys securely to help you gain peace of mind.
- Request regular updates. Ask if they can regularly update you about your home and pet, including pictures.
- Draw a contract. It should contain the service’s rate, duration, and other pertinent details.
- Talk about contingency plans. This includes delays in return and unforeseen circumstances.
Book a house sitter on Airtasker
House sitters cost around $50 to $60, depending on house size, pet type, and assignment duration. For an accurate quotation, talk to a Tasker and provide your house-sitting requirements.
Save time and protect your house and pets while you're away. Post a task now and connect with a house sitting service provider shortly! It’s a fuss-free, convenient, and cost-effective choice.
FAQs
Professional house sitters are attentive to the needs of your pets. They don't hesitate to bring them to the veterinarian if necessary. They should also update you if this happens.
They can last one day or three years. On average, most house-sitting assignments last for a week to four months. It's uncommon for them to take longer than six months.
Arrangements with a sitter can vary, including systems for cancellations and refunds. Talk to your service provider beforehand to know their plan.
They should meet all the requirements of the house-sitting task and play by your rules. Most house sitters are also permitted to leave the property during the day for up to three hours, which gives them time for a nice walk.
It will be inappropriate for them to use your property as a meeting location for guests. If there is a need, sitters usually go out during their breaks or walks during the day.
Only if you want them to. But some sitters bring their own. You can talk to them about the proper arrangement.
Find house sitters, fast
Post a task
Related price guides
Related articles
How to organise your garage
Read more
How to declutter before moving house
Read more
