Start a grooming career
Grooming is hands-on, always in demand, and work you can do for yourself. These are the four things to sort out on the way in, each with a guide that has the detail.
There's no qualification you must hold by law, but insurers will ask what training you've done. The current nationally recognised course is the Certificate III in Animal Care Services with the Pet Grooming specialisation. Check a course's code on training.gov.au before you pay.
How to become a dog groomer in AustraliaThere's no national licence to groom dogs. The rules that apply come from your state and council, and they attach to what you do. Minding dogs for the day or overnight can make you a registrable business, even when grooming alone doesn't.
Do you need a licence to groom dogs?Working for yourself starts with an ABN, which is free. You must register for GST once your turnover reaches $75,000 in 12 months. Put the GST aside as each payment comes in, and the quarterly BAS holds no surprises.
A pet groomer's guide to tax basicsMany groomers spend a year or two in someone else's salon, then go out on their own from home or from a van. The checklist goes from ABN and insurance through council, prices and deposits to your first 20 clients, in order.
The start-a-grooming-business checklistMy Pet Groomer is grooming software made in Melbourne: online bookings, prices by size and coat, deposits and reminders, from your first client. Starting a home grooming business shows how it works for someone just starting.
Your first 30 days are free · No charge until it ends