How to start a dog walking business in Australia

In Australia, there's usually no specific licence to walk dogs. Most new walkers get a free ABN, register a business name if they need one, take out public liability insurance and check their council's rules. Boarding is a different story: in Victoria and New South Wales, for example, boarding businesses have to follow state rules, and in Victoria they must register with their council every year.

This guide walks through the main steps. It's general information rather than legal or tax advice, and rules vary between states and councils, so check anything local before you start.

Do you need an ABN?

Almost certainly. An Australian Business Number (ABN) identifies your business to the government and to clients. Applying is free through the Australian Business Register or the Australian Government's Business Registration Service. If your details are complete and can be verified, you'll often get it straight away.

If you trade under your own name, such as "Sam Taylor", you don't need to register a business name. If you use anything else, such as "Bondi Paws Walking", register it with ASIC. You can do this at the same time as your ABN through the Business Registration Service.

When do you need to register for GST?

You must register for GST within 21 days of your GST turnover reaching $75,000 or more, or when you expect it to. Below that, registration is optional. Most solo walkers start below the threshold, but a busy walker or a small team can reach it, so keep an eye on your rolling turnover.

An accountant can also help you set aside money for income tax, since nobody is withholding it for you.

Do you need a licence to walk dogs?

There's generally no state licence for dog walking on its own, but local rules matter:

• Dogs per person. In NSW, the Office of Local Government says a dog isn't considered under effective control if you're handling more than four dogs at the same time. Other states and councils set their own limits.
• Off-leash areas. Councils decide where dogs can be off leash, and some smaller areas have stricter limits than the general rule.
• Commercial use of parks. Some councils want professional walkers to hold a permit. In Victoria, for example, the government's ABLIS licence finder lists a council permit for businesses walking or exercising animals on council land, with conditions such as a maximum of four animals per person. Check your council's website for "commercial dog walking".

What if you board dogs or run a day care?

This is where state rules really come in. Two examples:

Planning permission and council approval are often needed too, especially if you're using your home. Talk to your council before taking dogs overnight. If boarding is part of your plans, our dog boarding software page shows how Trusthound handles stays and daily records.

What insurance do you need?

Insurance isn't always a legal requirement for walkers, but it's the one thing not to skip. Common cover includes:

• public liability, in case a dog in your care injures someone or damages property
• care, custody and control, which covers the dogs themselves, since public liability often excludes animals in your care
• key cover, if you hold clients' keys
• business use on your car insurance, if you'll drive dogs

Read the policy for limits on how many dogs you can walk at once and whether off-leash walking is covered.

Does the Privacy Act apply to you?

Maybe not, but it's worth acting as if it does. The Privacy Act 1988 is overseen by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Small businesses with an annual turnover of $3 million or less are generally exempt, though there are exceptions, and privacy law reform is ongoing, so the exemption may change.

Either way, clients trust you with their address, keys and alarm codes. Good practice is simple:

• explain what you collect and why
• keep it secure, not in an open group chat
• ask before sharing photos of a client's dog publicly
• delete what you no longer need

How should you get paid?

For regular walks, BECS Direct Debit saves a lot of chasing. The client completes a Direct Debit Request (DDR) and accepts a service agreement once, and you collect what's due from their bank account on the agreed dates.

Things to know:

• Notifications. The scheme advises notifying clients when the DDR is set up and each time you debit them. Scheme guidelines suggest giving 14 days' notice before a debit, though Stripe notes this isn't mandatory. Your payment provider usually sends these emails for you.
• Timing. Debits aren't instant. With Stripe, payments typically show as successful two business days after submission.
• Cancellations. Clients can cancel a DDR through you or their bank at any time, so keep a friendly conversation open.

Most small businesses use a payment provider, such as Stripe, rather than setting up direct debit with their own bank. Card payments are a handy backup for one-off bookings.

Your starting checklist

• Apply for a free ABN
• Register a business name with ASIC if you won't trade under your own name
• Track turnover against the $75,000 GST threshold
• Check your council's rules on dogs per person, off-leash areas and permits
• If boarding, check state rules and council registration before you start
• Get public liability and care, custody and control insurance
• Write a short privacy notice and simple client terms
• Set up BECS Direct Debit and card payments

Our startup checklist covers more of the practical side, and the vaccination tracker helps you keep on top of each dog's vaccinations.

How Trusthound can help

Trusthound handles the day-to-day once you're set up: bookings and recurring schedules, card payments and BECS Direct Debit through your own Stripe account, daily care records, vaccination reminders, and walk updates for owners with photos and GPS routes. Clients agree to your terms in the app, so you have a clear record of what was accepted.

Sources

• Australian Business Register: Applying for an ABN
• business.gov.au: Register for an ABN
• ASIC: Registering a business name
• Australian Taxation Office: Registering for GST
• ABLIS: Commercial animal walker permit (Victoria)
• NSW Office of Local Government: Legal responsibilities for dog owners
• Agriculture Victoria: Boarding establishments
• NSW DPI: Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 5, Dogs and cats in animal boarding establishments
• OAIC: Rights and responsibilities under the Privacy Act
• Stripe Docs: Australia BECS Direct Debit
• Stripe: BECS Direct Debit Request service agreement

Checked 20 October 2026.