Dog Business
Dog Grooming Prices Australia 2026: How to Set Rates That Actually Pay You
Mar
Dog grooming prices Australia – if you’re Googling this, you’re either starting out and have no idea what to charge, or you’ve been in the game for a while and suspect you’re leaving money on the table. Either way, you’re in the right place. We’ve been running WoofSpark in Cessnock, NSW since 2019 – 16,472+ appointments later, we’ve raised our prices multiple times, lost almost zero clients because of it, and built a salon that charges above average with an 80% regular client base. Here’s what we’ve learned about pricing that actually pays you.
Quick Answer
Dog grooming prices in Australia range from $40-$60 for small breeds to $80-$150+ for large breeds (full groom, 2026 rates). Most solo groomers undercharge by 20-30%. To set rates that actually pay you, calculate your true hourly cost (including supplies, insurance, rent, super) and price from there – not from what the salon down the road charges.
This isn’t a generic price list scraped from Gumtree ads. Every number in this guide comes from real salon data, real conversations with other groomers, and 6+ years of running a business in regional Australia. We’ll cover current market rates, how to work out what you should actually be charging, and how to raise your prices without your phone going silent.
Dog Grooming Prices Australia: Current Market Rates (2026)
Let’s start with what groomers are actually charging across Australia right now. These rates are based on full grooms – wash and blow dry, nail clip, sanitary and paw pads, ear clean, and haircut.
| Dog Size | Budget Salon | Mid-Range | Premium Salon | Expert Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 10kg) – Maltese, Shih Tzu | $40-$55 | $55-$75 | $75-$100 | Mid-range minimum to cover costs |
| Medium (10-25kg) – Cavoodle, Cocker Spaniel | $55-$70 | $70-$95 | $95-$130 | Premium for doodle coats – they take longer |
| Large (25-40kg) – Labradoodle, Golden Retriever | $70-$90 | $90-$120 | $120-$160 | Don’t undercharge large breeds |
| Extra Large (40kg+) – Bernese, Newfoundland | $90-$120 | $120-$160 | $160-$220+ | Factor in 2-3 hour time blocks |
Regional vs metro matters. Sydney and Melbourne groomers typically charge 15-25% more than regional areas. But don’t assume you need to charge less just because you’re in a smaller town. Your costs might be lower, but your client pool is smaller too – you need each appointment to count more.
Add-On Service Pricing
Smart groomers build revenue through add-ons. These are the most common ones and what the market currently supports:
| Service | Typical Price | Time Added | Expert Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teeth brushing | $5-$15 | 5 mins | High margin, easy to offer |
| Flea/tick treatment | $10-$20 | 5 mins | Good if you stock the product |
| De-matting (per 15 mins) | $15-$30 | 15-60 mins | Must charge – it’s hard work |
| Blueberry facial | $10-$20 | 10 mins | Popular with doodle owners |
| Nail grinding (vs clip) | $5-$10 | 5 mins | Easy upsell, better result |
| Deshedding treatment | $20-$50 | 20-40 mins | Worth every minute in spring |
Marine’s Pro Tip
“When I go to the hairdresser, I pay for a cut and that’s it. When a dog comes to us, we do a wash and blow dry, nail clip, sanitary and paw pads, ear cleaning, and the haircut. We do way more than a hairdresser – but most groomers charge less. That maths doesn’t work. Stop comparing yourself to a $45 haircut.”
The Undercharging Trap (And Why You’re Probably in It)
Here’s the pattern we see over and over. A new groomer sets their prices by checking what other groomers in the area charge. They pick a number slightly lower to attract clients. Those clients tell their friends. The groomer gets busy. Really busy. And then – burnout.
Because “busy” at $55 a dog is very different from “busy” at $85 a dog. At $55, you need to do 8 dogs a day to hit $440. At $85, you only need 5 dogs for $425. Same revenue, three fewer dogs. That’s two to three hours of your life back. Every single day.
The groomers who burn out are almost always the ones doing quantity over quality. We’d rather do fewer dogs, charge properly, and actually enjoy the work.
Signs You’re Undercharging
- You’re booked out 3+ weeks but still stressed about money
- You can’t afford to take a day off without feeling the pinch
- You haven’t raised prices in over 12 months
- Your “difficult dog” surcharge doesn’t cover the actual time it takes
- You’re doing 7-8 dogs a day and still barely covering expenses
If two or more of those hit home, keep reading. Your pricing needs a rethink.
How to Calculate Your TRUE Hourly Rate
Most groomers think they know their hourly rate. They take what they charge per dog and divide by how long the groom takes. A $75 groom that takes an hour? That’s $75 an hour, right?
Not even close. Here’s what you’re forgetting:
| Hidden Cost | Monthly Estimate | Per Dog (at 100 dogs/month) | Expert Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampoo, conditioner, sprays | $150-$300 | $1.50-$3.00 | Track this – it adds up fast |
| Blade sharpening/replacement | $50-$100 | $0.50-$1.00 | Dull blades = slower grooms |
| Insurance (public liability + professional indemnity) | $80-$150 | $0.80-$1.50 | Non-negotiable |
| Rent / van costs | $800-$2,500 | $8.00-$25.00 | Your biggest overhead |
| Super (11.5% of your pay) | Varies | Varies | Most solo groomers skip this – don’t |
| Power, water, laundry | $200-$400 | $2.00-$4.00 | Higher for high-dryer salons |
| Cleaning between dogs | Time cost | 10-15 mins per dog | Unpaid time that eats your rate |
| Admin, booking, social media | Time cost | 5-10 mins per dog | This is work – count it |
The real maths: Take your monthly revenue. Subtract every cost above. Divide by your total hours worked (including cleaning, admin, driving, social media). That’s your true hourly rate.
For most solo groomers, the real number lands between $25-$40 per hour after expenses. That’s before super, before tax, before you’ve saved a cent for holidays or sick days. If your number is under $35, your prices need to go up.
According to Fair Work Australia, the national minimum wage sits at $24.10 per hour. If your true hourly rate after expenses is near that number, you’re running a business that pays you less than a casual job at Woolworths. And Woolworths gives you super and sick leave.
Marine’s Pro Tip
“I sat down one day and added up everything – rent, insurance, products, the water bill, blade sharpening, even the cost of treats I give the dogs. Then I worked out my actual hourly rate and nearly fell off my chair. I was charging way too little for what we do. That’s when I raised prices for the first time. It won’t be the last.”
Dog Grooming Prices Australia: When and How to Raise Them
Raising prices is the thing every groomer knows they need to do but keeps putting off. We get it. The fear is real – “What if everyone leaves?” But here’s what actually happens, based on our experience raising prices multiple times at WoofSpark.
When to Raise Your Prices
- Yearly at minimum. Your costs go up every year – rent, power, products, insurance. Your prices should follow.
- When you’re fully booked. If you can’t fit new clients in for 3+ weeks, demand is outstripping supply. That’s the market telling you to charge more.
- After adding a new skill or service. Got your Certificate III? Learned Asian fusion styling? Your skills are worth more now. Price accordingly.
- When your expenses jump. If your rent goes up $200/month, that’s $200 you need to recover across your appointments.
How to Raise Prices Without Losing Clients
Give notice. We announce price changes 4-6 weeks before they take effect. A simple sign in the salon, a message to regulars, and a social media post. No surprises – that’s always been our approach.
Explain the why. You don’t need to justify yourself, but a brief reason goes a long way. “Due to rising costs of products, insurance, and equipment, we’re adjusting our prices from [date].” People understand. They’re seeing prices go up everywhere.
Raise by $5-$10 at a time. Jumping from $65 to $95 in one hit will shock people. Going from $65 to $75, then $75 to $85 six months later? Most clients won’t blink.
Don’t apologise. You’re running a business, not a charity. Be confident about your value. If you’ve read our guide on DIY grooming vs professional grooming, you already know how much skill goes into a proper groom. Own that.
Handling Price-Sensitive Clients
You will lose some clients when you raise prices. That’s not a failure – it’s a filter. The clients who leave over a $10 increase are often the same ones who cancel last-minute, arrive late, and argue about de-matting charges. Let them go.
But for the clients you want to keep, here’s how to handle the conversation:
“It’s too expensive.” Acknowledge it without backing down. “I understand it’s an increase. We’ve kept our prices the same for [X months/years] while our costs have gone up. The quality of care your dog gets here hasn’t changed – if anything, it’s got better.”
“The groomer down the road is cheaper.” Don’t compete on price. Compete on value. “They might be – every salon is different. What I can tell you is what’s included in our groom and why our regulars keep coming back.” Then list what a full groom includes. Most clients have no idea how much we actually do. Our breakdown of how often dogs need grooming shows just how much goes into proper coat care.
“Can I get a discount?” Offer alternatives, not discounts. A shorter style means a faster groom and a lower price. A wash and blow dry only is cheaper than a full groom. Meet them where they are without undervaluing your work.
Marine’s Pro Tip
“I’ve had people whinge about our prices. It used to bother me. Now? I know what we’re worth. We never rush a dog. Every dog gets proper care – nails, ears, sanitary, everything. When someone says ‘that’s a lot for a haircut,’ I say ‘we do way more than a haircut.’ Once they hear the full list, they usually get it.”
Dog Grooming Prices Australia: Premium Positioning
Here’s the thing nobody tells new groomers: you don’t need to be the cheapest option. In fact, being the cheapest is a terrible business strategy. The cheapest groomers attract the most price-sensitive clients, work the hardest, and make the least money.
WoofSpark charges above average for our area. We also have an 80% regular client base and 186+ five-star reviews. Those two facts are connected.
How to Charge More and Keep Clients Coming Back
Be consistent. Same quality, every single time. Clients pay premium prices for reliability. They need to know their dog will look and feel the same every visit.
Communicate properly. We write everything down. Haircut notes, behaviour notes, health observations. When a client comes back six weeks later and we remember their dog had a sore ear, that builds trust you can’t buy.
Go beyond the haircut. We never talk about the haircut first. We always talk about the dog’s well-being and health. If we notice a lump, a limp, or bad teeth, we tell the client. That level of care is worth paying for.
Make rebooking automatic. We book clients for the whole year. It sounds pushy, but they thank us later when they’re not scrambling for appointments. Regular rebooking keeps your calendar full and gives clients a reason to stay – they’ve already got their spot.
Build your reputation. Ask happy clients for Google reviews. Respond to every one. Share before-and-after photos on social media (with permission). Every review and every post is proof that your prices are justified.
Dog Grooming Prices Australia: The Pricing Guide
If you’ve read this far, you’re serious about getting your pricing right. Good. We’ve put everything we know into the WoofSpark Marketing Kit – a $97 toolkit built for groomers who want to run a proper business, not just survive.
The kit includes a pricing calculator (plug in your costs, it tells you what to charge), price rise announcement templates, a client communication guide, social media templates, and marketing materials you can customise with your own branding. It’s the same framework we use at WoofSpark.
You can also browse our shop for grooming tools and products we use and recommend daily in our Cessnock salon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I charge for a dog groom in Australia?
Full groom prices in Australia range from $55-$95 for small breeds, $70-$130 for medium breeds, and $90-$220+ for large breeds. Your specific rate should be based on your costs, location, and the value you provide – not what the cheapest groomer nearby charges.
How much do mobile groomers charge compared to salon groomers?
Mobile groomers typically charge 15-30% more than salon groomers. This covers travel time, fuel, van maintenance, and the convenience factor. If you’re mobile, don’t undercharge to “compete” with salons – your overheads are different, not lower.
Should I charge extra for matted dogs?
Yes, always. De-matting is hard, time-consuming work that puts extra strain on your equipment and your body. Most groomers charge $15-$30 per 15 minutes of de-matting, or offer a flat “matting surcharge” of $20-$50. Be upfront about this in your pricing. Clients who maintain their dogs between grooms won’t be affected.
How often should I raise my grooming prices?
At minimum, review prices yearly. Your costs (products, insurance, rent, power) go up every year – your prices need to keep pace. If you’re fully booked weeks in advance, the market is telling you it’s time for a raise now.
What if I lose clients when I raise prices?
You might lose a few – and that’s OK. The maths usually works in your favour. If you raise prices by $10 and lose 10% of clients, you’re still making more money while working fewer hours. The clients who stay value quality over price, and they’re the ones who refer their friends.
Do I need to charge GST on grooming services?
If your business turns over more than $75,000 per year, you must register for GST and include it in your pricing. Check the ATO’s BAS guide for details. Many solo groomers hit this threshold faster than they expect, so plan for it early.
Stop Guessing. Start Pricing Properly.
The WoofSpark Marketing Kit ($97) includes a pricing calculator, price rise templates, and the same client communication framework we use at our salon. Built by groomers, for groomers.
Last updated: March 2026
This guide includes 2026 market rates for dog grooming across Australia, a hidden cost breakdown for calculating your true hourly rate, Marine’s real-world pricing strategies from 6+ years of salon operation, and answers to the most common pricing questions groomers ask.