Border collie grooming cost Australia is one of the more variable pricing areas in the pet grooming industry, and there’s a real reason for that. Border Collies carry a dense double coat that demands significantly more time, product and expertise than short-haired breeds. According to Animal Medicines Australia’s 2025 Pets in Australia report, dogs remain Australia’s most popular pet, and grooming costs have climbed steadily alongside demand. For Border Collie owners specifically, knowing what you’re actually paying for makes a real difference to your annual budget.
Border collie grooming cost Australia typically runs $85–$160 per full groom in 2026. Mobile groomers charge $110–$160, while salon prices sit closer to $85–$130 depending on coat condition. Heavily matted coats or dogs due for a dematting session can push the bill to $180 or more.
The short version: expect to pay $85–$160 for a full groom at a reputable salon or mobile groomer in 2026. The wide range isn’t vague hedging. It reflects genuine differences in coat condition, your location, whether you’ve kept up with home brushing, and what specific services you’re after. The Australian Veterinary Association has flagged rising cost pressures on pet owners, and grooming is one area where costs have risen noticeably in the past two years.
What this normally costs in 2026
Prices across Australia aren’t uniform. Inner-city Sydney and Melbourne salons sit at the top end, while regional Queensland and suburban Adelaide are noticeably cheaper. The differences come down to rent, wages and local competition.
A basic tidy-up (paws, ears, nails, light brush) runs $55–$85. A full groom with bath, blow-dry, full brush-out and trim is the standard booking for most owners, and that’s where the $85–$160 range lives. Add dematting, a deshedding treatment or teeth cleaning and you’ll go higher.
| State | Average Cost | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $120 | $95 – $160 |
| VIC | $115 | $90 – $155 |
| QLD | $105 | $85 – $145 |
| WA | $110 | $88 – $150 |
| SA | $100 | $80 – $135 |
| TAS | $98 | $80 – $130 |
| ACT | $115 | $90 – $150 |
| NT | $108 | $85 – $140 |
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To put a finer point on it: a full groom for a healthy, regularly brushed Border Collie in Newtown (Sydney) typically runs $115–$135. The same dog at a well-regarded salon in Toowoomba might be $88–$105. Neither is ripping you off. It’s just cost of business in those areas.
The add-ons that genuinely matter for Border Collies are dematting and deshedding. Skip the blueberry facial. But if your dog is due for a coat-blow, a deshedding treatment is worth the extra $20–$45 because it dramatically reduces the shedding you’ll deal with for the following 4–6 weeks. For guidance on comparable grooming costs, our rundown of mobile dog grooming vs salon prices in Australia is worth reading before you book.
Why prices vary so much
Five factors genuinely explain most of the price variation you’ll see when you start ringing around. Each one can move the number by $20–$60.
1. Coat condition at the time of the appointment
This is the biggest single variable. A Border Collie that’s been brushed every 2–3 days at home takes around 90 minutes to groom. One that hasn’t been brushed in eight weeks can take 2.5–3 hours, and the groomer will charge a dematting fee on top. In practice, the difference between a well-maintained coat and a neglected one can be $60–$80 extra per session. Worth noting: groomers don’t enjoy dematting any more than the dog does, so some will simply refuse and charge a clipping fee instead.
2. Your location within Australia
You’ll pay 20–30% more in inner-Sydney suburbs like Paddington or Surry Hills compared with outer Brisbane or regional SA. In Fremantle, prices are mid-range. In Cairns Northern Beaches, groomers sometimes charge a slight premium due to lower local competition. It’s not about quality. It’s about what the groomer pays in rent and wages. To understand how these costs compare across the pet care sector, see our overview of dog boarding cost Australia.
3. Mobile vs salon
Mobile groomers typically charge $20–$40 more per session than salons. For a Border Collie, that’s $110–$160 mobile versus $85–$130 at a good salon. The premium pays for the van, equipment, fuel and the one-on-one attention your dog gets. Border Collies can be anxious in busy multi-dog salon environments, so the premium is sometimes genuinely justified. That said, a skilled salon groomer who handles double-coated breeds regularly is every bit as good.
4. Groomer experience and specialisation
A groomer who works primarily with short-haired dogs and accepts a Border Collie booking may charge less but take longer and produce a less polished result. A groomer who regularly handles Aussie Shepherds, Huskies and Collies will be faster, more confident with the coat structure, and often worth the extra $15–$25 per session. Ask directly whether they have double-coat experience. It’s a fair question. A good deshedding brush for double-coated dogs used at home between visits also helps maintain the coat between professional appointments.
5. Frequency and consistency
Dogs groom regularly at the same salon are often faster and easier to groom because groomers know their coat. Some salons offer a small discount for standing bookings. More importantly, a dog seen every 8 weeks will never develop the severe matting that turns a $110 groom into a $180 ordeal. Consistency saves money over time. For other ongoing pet expenses, our breakdown of dog vaccination cost Australia gives a useful sense of what annual pet care actually adds up to.
Questions to ask before you book
Is your quote for the full groom, or are add-ons charged separately?
This is the most important question. Some quotes are all-inclusive; others are a base rate with dematting, deshedding and nail grinding charged on top. Ask explicitly what’s covered so you’re not surprised at pickup.
Do you have experience with double-coated breeds?
Not all groomers do, and it matters. A groomer unfamiliar with double coats might rush the blow-dry (leaving moisture trapped close to the skin) or over-thin the coat. Listen for specific breed mentions like Aussie Shepherd, Husky or Collie when they answer. Vague reassurance isn’t enough.
What’s your policy on shaving double coats?
Reputable groomers won’t shave a Border Collie’s double coat without a genuine medical reason. If a groomer agrees to a full shave without any hesitation or explanation, walk away. Shaving damages the coat structure and can cause permanent texture changes.
How do you handle a matted coat?
Ask whether they dematting by hand (slower, preserves more coat) or clip it out. Find out the dematting fee structure before you arrive. Some charge by the hour, some by the area. Knowing upfront prevents an awkward conversation at the register. A dematting comb for long-haired dogs used regularly at home can prevent this cost entirely.
Is there a surcharge for anxious or difficult dogs?
Border Collies can be high-energy and reactive in grooming environments, particularly young dogs or those new to the process. Some groomers add $15–$30 for dogs that require more handling time. Fair enough, honestly. Just useful to know in advance.
What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
Many groomers have moved to charging 50% for cancellations under 24 hours. For a $120 groom, that’s $60 lost. Know the policy before you book, especially if your schedule is unpredictable.
How to bring the cost down
Brush your Border Collie every 2–3 days. This is the single most effective cost-saving move available. Regular brushing prevents matting, which means the groomer spends less time on your dog, which means a lower bill. A groomer spending 90 minutes on a well-maintained coat versus 3 hours on a matted one is the difference between $105 and $175+. It’s that straightforward.
Book a standing appointment. Many groomers offer $10–$15 off for clients who lock in a recurring 8-weekly slot. You also avoid the stress of scrambling for bookings during the spring and autumn coat-blow seasons, when decent groomers book out 3–4 weeks ahead.
Compare mobile and salon pricing honestly for your situation. Mobile grooming is excellent but adds $20–$40 per visit. Over five grooms a year, that’s $100–$200 extra. If your dog handles a salon environment reasonably well, a quality local salon is better value. Our detailed comparison of mobile vs salon grooming rates lays out when each option makes sense.
Skip the unnecessary extras. Blueberry facials, coat conditioning masks and cologne add $15–$40 per visit with minimal practical benefit. The add-ons worth keeping are the deshedding treatment (twice a year, during coat-blow) and the nail grind if your dog has sensitive nails. Everything else is discretionary. For context on other pet service costs, see our rundown of cat grooming cost Australia and pet dental cleaning costs to get a sense of where grooming sits in your overall pet budget.
Ask about off-peak timing. Groomers are quietest mid-week and during mid-summer and mid-winter (outside of coat-blow season). Some will negotiate slightly lower prices for Tuesday or Wednesday bookings. Not all will, but it costs nothing to ask.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a Border Collie need professional grooming?
Most Border Collies need a full professional groom every 8–12 weeks. More active dogs that swim or roll in mud may need more frequent attention. Regular home brushing every 2–3 days stretches the gap considerably.
Should you shave a Border Collie?
No. Shaving a Border Collie’s double coat can permanently damage the coat structure and actually reduces its ability to regulate temperature. Most reputable groomers will refuse to shave them and instead offer a tidy and deshed. Be wary of any groomer who agrees to a full shave without pushback.
What does a full Border Collie groom include?
A standard full groom typically covers a bath, blow-dry, brush-out, trim around the ears, paws and tail, nail clip, and ear clean. Dematting, deshedding treatments and teeth cleaning are almost always charged separately.
Why is my Border Collie grooming quote higher than for other breeds?
Border Collies have a thick double coat that takes significantly longer to wash, dry and brush than short-haired breeds. A groomer spending 2–3 hours on a Border Collie versus 45 minutes on a Staffy will charge accordingly. The labour difference alone accounts for $30–$60 more.
Is mobile grooming worth the extra cost for Border Collies?
It can be. Border Collies can be anxious in busy salon environments, and the one-on-one attention of a mobile groomer often produces better results. The $20–$40 premium over salon pricing is often justified if your dog stresses easily or if you’re time-poor.
People Also Ask About Border Collie Grooming Cost Australia
Can I groom my Border Collie myself at home?
Yes, for maintenance brushing and basic baths. But a full blow-dry and trim on a double coat takes 2–3 hours and the right equipment. Most owners combine regular home brushing with professional grooming every 10–12 weeks rather than going fully DIY.
What happens if a Border Collie’s coat gets matted?
Mats pull at the skin, cause discomfort and create a breeding ground for skin conditions. A groomer will charge a dematting fee ($30–$80 depending on severity) before the standard groom begins. In extreme cases, the coat may need to be clipped short to safely remove mats.
Do Border Collies shed a lot and does that affect grooming costs?
They shed consistently year-round and heavily twice a year when they blow their undercoat. During these shedding seasons, groomers typically charge more because deshedding a Border Collie takes 30–60 minutes of extra work. Expect to pay $15–$45 more during these periods.
What’s the difference between a groom and a deshed for a Border Collie?
A standard groom focuses on cleaning, drying, trimming and tidying. A deshedding treatment specifically targets the undercoat using high-velocity dryers and specialised tools to remove loose fur. Deshedding reduces shedding at home for 4–6 weeks and is typically charged as an add-on of $20–$45.
How do I find a groomer experienced with double-coated breeds in Australia?
Ask specifically whether they’re familiar with double-coated breeds and confirm they won’t shave the coat. Look for groomers with experience in Collies, Shepherds or Huskies. The Australian Veterinary Association and word of mouth in local dog owner Facebook groups are both reliable starting points for finding qualified groomers in your area.
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Border collie grooming cost Australia sits at $85–$160 for a full groom in 2026, and the biggest variable you control is coat condition at the time of the appointment. Regular brushing at home, a standing booking with a groomer who knows double coats, and skipping the add-ons you don’t need will keep annual grooming costs reasonable. If you’re also thinking about other regular expenses, our guides to puppy school costs and dog desexing costs in Australia are worth a look as part of your overall pet budget planning.
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