Regular grooming is part of responsible dog ownership, but with dog grooming cost in Australia ranging from $50 for a basic wash and brush to $200 or more for a full groom on a larger breed, it is a meaningful ongoing expense worth understanding before you book. The size of your dog, the type of coat, how often you groom, and whether you use a salon or mobile groomer all affect what you pay. This guide breaks down typical dog grooming costs across Australia, so you know what fair value looks like.
Average Dog Grooming Cost in Australia (2026)
Dog grooming cost in Australia is most significantly affected by your dog’s size and coat type. A full groom involves bathing, drying, brushing, clipping or trimming, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and often a finishing spray. Smaller dogs with manageable coats are faster and cheaper to groom than large dogs with thick, matted, or complex coats.
| Service and Dog Size | Average Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Wash and dry — small dog (under 10kg) | $45 – $80 |
| Wash and dry — medium dog (10-25kg) | $55 – $100 |
| Wash and dry — large dog (over 25kg) | $70 – $130 |
| Full groom — small dog | $60 – $120 |
| Full groom — medium dog | $80 – $160 |
| Full groom — large dog | $100 – $200 |
| Full groom — giant breed (over 40kg) | $150 – $280 |
| Full groom — doodle breed (varies) | $100 – $220 |
| Nail clip only | $15 – $35 |
| Deshedding treatment | $30 – $80 extra |
| Teeth brushing add-on | $10 – $25 |
| Flea treatment | $20 – $40 extra |
| Mobile grooming premium | $20 – $50 extra |
Prices are indicative averages. Actual dog grooming cost in Australia will vary based on breed, coat condition, size, and the groomer you choose.
Dog Grooming Cost in Australia by State
Dog grooming cost in Australia varies between states, with Sydney and Melbourne sitting at the higher end of the scale.
| State | Full Groom Medium Dog (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| NSW (Sydney) | $100 – $180 |
| VIC (Melbourne) | $90 – $170 |
| QLD (Brisbane) | $80 – $160 |
| WA (Perth) | $80 – $160 |
| SA (Adelaide) | $75 – $150 |
| TAS | $70 – $140 |
| ACT (Canberra) | $85 – $165 |
| NT (Darwin) | $85 – $165 |
What Is Included in a Full Dog Groom?
Understanding what a full groom covers helps you assess dog grooming cost in Australia and compare quotes accurately.
A standard full groom typically begins with a pre-groom brush to detangle the coat and assess its condition. This is followed by a bath using professional-grade shampoo and conditioner suited to your dog’s coat type, then a thorough blow-dry and brush-out to remove loose hair and tangles. From there, the groomer will clip or trim the coat to your preferred style or breed standard, scissor around the face, paws, and detailed areas, clip the nails, clean the ears, and finish with a spritz and sometimes a bandana or bow.
The full process for a large breed dog with a complex coat can take two to four hours of skilled work. For small breeds with straightforward coats, a full groom might take 45 minutes to 90 minutes. A $200 groom for a Poodle is not excessive when you consider it represents two to three hours of attentive professional work.
What is typically not included in a standard full groom: dental cleaning, flea and tick treatment, removal of severe matting (usually charged extra due to the time and care required), bandana or bow styling (often a small add-on), and specialised medicated shampoos.
Some groomers offer additional services for an extra charge including teeth brushing, de-shedding treatments, flea treatments, facials, and paw balm application. These are optional add-ons and not essential for every visit.
Always confirm inclusions when getting a quote, particularly for doodle breeds and other dogs with complex coats that require additional time.
What Affects Dog Grooming Cost in Australia?
Breed and coat type — This is the dominant cost driver. Short-coated breeds like Labradors and Beagles are quick to groom. Double-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds require deshedding treatment. Long-coated breeds like Maltese and Shih Tzus require careful dematting. Doodle breeds — Labradoodles, Cavoodles, Groodles — have high-maintenance coats that mat easily and require experienced groomers, placing them consistently at the higher end of dog grooming cost in Australia.
How often you groom — Dogs groomed regularly every 6 to 8 weeks have manageable coats that are faster to work with. Dogs that are groomed infrequently — every 3 to 6 months — often arrive with matted, overgrown coats that require significantly more time and effort. Regular grooming actually reduces the per-visit cost by keeping the coat in good condition.
Matting — Severely matted coats require careful, time-consuming work to address humanely. In extreme cases, the humane approach is to clip the dog short and allow the coat to grow back cleanly. De-matting surcharges of $20 to $80 are common and are entirely legitimate when significant matting is present. The RSPCA considers severe matting a welfare concern, so regular grooming is not just about appearance, it is about your dog’s comfort.
Coat condition — Dogs with healthy, well-maintained coats are faster and easier to groom than those with dry, damaged, or chemically treated coats. Regular brushing at home between grooms is the most effective way to keep grooming costs down. Investing in quality grooming tools like deshedding shampoo and brushes makes home brushing quicker and more effective.
Breed-Specific Grooming Requirements
Dog grooming cost in Australia varies significantly by breed because different breeds have vastly different coat requirements. Understanding your breed’s specific needs helps you budget accurately for the lifetime grooming cost of your dog.
High-maintenance breeds that require professional grooming every 4 to 8 weeks include: Poodles and Doodles (Labradoodle, Groodle, Cavoodle, Spoodle), Bichon Frise, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, and Schnauzer. These breeds have continuously growing coats that mat and tangle without regular professional attention. Annual grooming cost in Australia for these breeds can run $1,000 to $2,000 per year.
Moderate-maintenance breeds that benefit from professional grooming every 8 to 12 weeks include: Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador, and Husky. These breeds have double coats that shed heavily and benefit from professional deshedding treatments. Annual dog grooming cost in Australia for these breeds is typically $400 to $800 per year.
Lower-maintenance breeds that may only need grooming two to four times per year include: Beagle, Boxer, Greyhound, Dachshund, and short-coated Terriers. Annual grooming cost for these breeds is typically $200 to $500 per year.
Understanding the grooming requirements of a breed before getting a dog is genuinely worthwhile. The ongoing dog grooming cost in Australia for a Poodle or Bichon groomed every 5 weeks adds up to $1,000 to $2,000 per year — a meaningful cost that should factor into the decision to get a high-maintenance breed.
Salon vs Mobile Dog Grooming
One of the most important decisions affecting dog grooming cost in Australia is whether to use a salon or a mobile groomer.
Salon grooming is the traditional approach. Your dog is dropped off and collected after the groom is complete, typically two to four hours later. Salons often have multiple groomers working simultaneously and can see multiple dogs at once. Prices are generally lower than mobile grooming for the same service.
Mobile grooming involves the groomer coming to your home in a self-contained grooming van. Your dog never leaves your property, which reduces stress for anxious dogs and eliminates travel. The groomer works one-on-one with your dog throughout the appointment. Mobile dog grooming cost in Australia typically runs $20 to $50 more than the equivalent salon service due to the convenience premium and higher operating costs. A mobile groom for a medium-sized dog might cost $90 to $140 compared to $70 to $110 at a salon.
The advantages of mobile grooming are significant for some dogs and owners. Dogs who experience anxiety travelling to a salon or being kennelled with other dogs often fare much better with mobile grooming. The one-on-one attention means your dog is not waiting in a cage between washing and grooming. For busy owners, the convenience of not needing to drop off and pick up is also genuinely valuable.
For relaxed, social dogs without travel or separation anxiety, a reputable salon at a lower dog grooming cost in Australia is a perfectly good choice. For anxious dogs, the premium for mobile grooming is often worth every cent.
How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?
How often you groom — and therefore your recurring dog grooming cost in Australia — depends on your dog’s breed and coat type.
Short-coated dogs (Greyhounds, Boxers, Dalmatians, Beagles): A bath and basic groom every 8 to 12 weeks is generally sufficient. Regular brushing at home handles most maintenance. These breeds may only need professional grooming once or twice a year for a bath and nail trim.
Medium-coated dogs (Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels): Every 6 to 8 weeks for a full groom, with regular brushing at home to manage shedding and prevent matting. Professional grooming is particularly beneficial during heavy shedding periods.
Long-coated and drop-coated breeds (Maltese, Shih Tzu, Cavaliers): Every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the coat in manageable condition and prevent matting. Skipping appointments with these breeds leads to matting that can be painful and requires more intensive and expensive work to address.
Double-coated breeds (Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds): Every 6 to 10 weeks with deshedding treatment during moulting seasons.
Doodle breeds (Labradoodles, Cavoodles, Groodles): Every 6 to 8 weeks is typically recommended to prevent the dense, curly coat from matting. Many doodle owners find that their dog’s grooming needs are higher than expected when they first got their dog.
How to Save Money on Dog Grooming Costs in Australia
Book regular appointments — Consistent 6 to 8 week appointments keep the coat manageable, reducing the time each groom takes and preventing expensive de-matting surcharges. Irregular grooming almost always costs more per visit.
Brush at home between grooms — Investing 10 to 15 minutes a few times per week brushing your dog’s coat keeps it tangle-free and significantly reduces grooming time. This is particularly important for doodle breeds and other dogs with high-maintenance coats. A quality brush suited to your dog’s coat type is a worthwhile investment that pays for itself quickly.
Compare groomers before committing — Dog grooming cost in Australia varies enough between operators that comparing two or three options before booking a regular appointment is worthwhile. Look for someone who communicates clearly about pricing and what is included.
Learn basic maintenance grooming — Nail clipping ($15 to $35 at a groomer) and regular ear cleaning can be done at home once you have learned the correct technique. Ask your groomer or vet to demonstrate.
DIY Dog Grooming — What You Can Do at Home
Supplementing professional grooming with regular at-home care reduces the frequency and cost of professional visits and keeps your dog looking and feeling better between appointments.
Regular brushing is the single most valuable thing you can do at home. For high-maintenance coats, brushing three to four times per week prevents matting that significantly extends professional grooming time and cost. For most breeds, brushing once or twice a week is sufficient to keep the coat in manageable condition.
Investing in good quality brushes and combs appropriate for your dog’s coat type makes home grooming faster and more effective. A slicker brush and metal comb for most breeds, with a deshedding tool for double-coated breeds, covers most situations. Quality grooming tools cost $50 to $150 upfront but last years.
Nail maintenance between grooming appointments prevents nails from becoming uncomfortably long. Dog nail clippers like these from Amazon are inexpensive and with practice many owners become comfortable trimming their dog’s nails at home. Going slowly, clipping small amounts at a time, and avoiding the quick reduces the risk of causing discomfort.
Basic ear cleaning with a vet-recommended ear cleaner helps prevent infections in floppy-eared breeds. Your vet or groomer can show you the correct technique.
Regular ear checks, keeping the areas around eyes and paws tidy with small scissors, and maintaining good coat hygiene at home all reduce the work required at each professional groom. Many groomers are happy to advise on appropriate home maintenance routines for your specific breed at the first appointment.
How to Find a Reliable Dog Groomer in Australia
Dog grooming is unregulated in Australia — there is no mandatory licensing requirement — which means quality varies considerably. This makes researching before booking particularly important.
Look for groomers who have completed a recognised certificate in dog grooming. The Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) and various TAFE programs offer recognised qualifications. Ask about qualifications when enquiring.
Reviews on Google and platforms like Oneflare and Airtasker are the most reliable way to assess quality. Look specifically for reviews that mention how the dog looks after the groom, how the dog behaves when returning for subsequent visits (a sign of whether they enjoy or fear the experience), and how the groomer handled any issues.
For first visits, consider requesting a wash and dry before committing to a full groom. This lets you assess the groomer’s handling of your dog and the quality of their work before trusting them with a full clip.
The RSPCA recommends ensuring any groomer you choose handles dogs gently and uses humane practices. If your dog consistently shows signs of distress after grooming appointments, it may be worth trying a different groomer or switching to mobile grooming for a less stressful experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Grooming Costs in Australia
How much does dog grooming cost in Australia? Dog grooming cost in Australia for a full groom typically ranges from $60 to $120 for small dogs, $80 to $160 for medium dogs, and $100 to $200 for large dogs. Prices vary by location, breed, and coat condition.
How often should I get my dog professionally groomed? It depends on the breed. Short-coated breeds need professional grooming once or twice a year. High-maintenance breeds like Poodles and Bichons need grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
Is mobile dog grooming worth the extra cost? For anxious dogs or busy owners, yes. Mobile grooming costs 20 to 40 percent more but provides one-on-one attention and eliminates travel stress for the dog.
What should I do if my dog is matted? Severe matting requires professional dematting or clipping by a groomer. Attempting to brush out severe mats at home can be painful for the dog. Prevention through regular brushing is far better than dealing with matting after the fact, both for your dog’s comfort and for your wallet.
What grooming tools should I have at home? A slicker brush, metal comb, nail clippers, and ear cleaner cover the basics for most breeds. Deshedding tools are useful for double-coated breeds. You can find quality grooming supplies suited to your dog’s coat type.
Final Thoughts
Dog grooming cost in Australia is a regular and ongoing expense for most dog owners, but one that is fundamental to your dog’s comfort, hygiene, and health. Regular professional grooming combined with at-home brushing keeps costs manageable and your dog looking and feeling their best.
Finding a groomer you and your dog both trust is worth taking time over, reading reviews, asking about qualifications, and starting with a less comprehensive service before committing to regular full grooms is a sensible approach.
If this guide was helpful, explore our other Australian cost guides for transparent pricing on pet services and home costs around the country.
Last updated: 2026. Prices are indicative averages. Actual dog grooming cost in Australia will vary based on breed, coat type, size, and the groomer you choose.