How much does house sitting cost in Australia?

It’s normal to feel unsettled if you’re leaving your home and pets behind for some time. But with the help of a house sitter, you can have peace of mind and fully focus on your vacation, business travel, or whatever the reason for your trip is.

And if you’re worried about the potential expenses this service will incur, this guide can give you an idea of the average house sitting cost in Australia. It also discusses factors that can affect pricing and ways to save money when hiring a professional sitter.

What are the average house sitting prices in Australia?

Take a look at the table below to see the average cost for a house sitter across the country’s major cities:

*Prices shown are typical total costs per completed booking. Actual quotes may vary depending on booking length and responsibilities.

What factors affect house sitting charges?

Many factors come into play when calculating house sitting rates, which is why it’s important to learn about them if you want to keep costs within your budget.

House sitting arrangement

Accessing a home with keys during house sitting (Source: iStock)

How much does a house sitter cost when you take into account their length of stay? House sitting arrangements with short durations, such as overnight and weekend stays, usually lead to a lower total cost despite the higher per-night rates.

Meanwhile, longer stays have higher overall booking prices but generally lower per-night costs.

Required household tasks

If you want the person you’re hiring to perform other duties, such as shopping for groceries, watering your garden, or cleaning your home, be prepared to pay more than the average house sitter rate per day or per booking.

Pet care requirements

Pet care and feeding during a house sitting stay (Source: iStock)

Many pet owners rely on house sitters to perform in-home pet care while they’re away. So if you have animals that require attention while you’re on a trip, you’ll have to shell out more than the general going rate for a house sitter.

In line with this, having more critters in your home and giving your house sitter complicated pet-related responsibilities (such as special medication administration and elderly cat care) translate to being charged higher fees.

Property size and complexity

Aussie house sitters usually charge more for larger properties, since more floor area and a larger outdoor space entail more responsibilities. Similarly, dealing with complex features that may demand more effort and expertise, such as smart home tech, can lead to higher house sitting costs.

Sitter experience and qualifications

Indoor plant care while looking after a house (Source: iStock)

Experienced house sitters typically have more skills and knowledge in performing household chores, caring for pets, and handling other duties. It’s also likely that you’ll find more information about the quality of their work through their past customers’ ratings and reviews. And since you can have more peace of mind when booking them, they usually charge higher fees compared to novice sitters.

Booking timing and demand

Most house sitters have steeper rates when demand is high, such as during long weekends, summer, Christmas, and other peak travel seasons. Hence, if you’re booking outside these periods, you may find house sitting fees to be average or significantly cheaper.

What are some ways to lower house sitting fees?

Keep these cost-saving tips in mind if you want to keep your house sitting expenses within budget:

• You can get discounts and avoid paying per task by booking other services (e.g., professional organising, home decluttering) alongside house sitting.

• If possible, plan your trip during a non-peak period to avoid high rates driven by high demand.

• Look for a house sitter in advance so you have a wide pool of experts with diverse service rates to choose from.

• Ask different house sitters for price quotes so you can compare and avoid those who overcharge.

• Opt for home visits rather than overnight stays if you have low-maintenance pets and a well-secured house.

What should you look for in a professional house sitter?

House sitter relaxing beside windows facing a backyard (Source: iStock)

While you’re on the hunt for trusted house sitters, don’t forget to ask important questions, such as the ones below:

• Do they have substantial experience with the kind of property and pets you have?

• Can they perform pet first aid and CPR when necessary?

• How much will they charge based on your needs and preferences?

• Do they carry insurance?

• Do they know what to do in case of an emergency?

Additionally, you should check out their past clients’ ratings and reviews to get a clearer picture of the quality of their work as a house sitter.

Find a reliable house sitter on Airtasker

Looking for a trustworthy house sitter near you? Sign up on Airtasker to make your search faster and easier.

When you post a task on the platform—mentioning the kind of service you need, your location, and your budget—you’ll get responses from house sitters in your area who are ready to give you price estimates, negotiate rates, and look after your home and your pets while you’re away.