The Dog Grooming Landscape in Australia

Australia’s Grooming Crunch: At a Glance

If you’ve tried booking a dog grooming appointment in recent months and hit a wall, you’re not alone. Salons in major cities are booked out for weeks - sometimes months - while many regional areas have no professional groomers at all. Demand for grooming services has exploded, and Australia simply doesn’t have enough groomers to keep up.

In fact, there are now more pet dogs in Australia than there are children under 15. And the gap between supply and demand keeps growing.

Pet Ownership Is at Record Highs

Australians love their pets - and the numbers back it up. As of 2024, there are more than 6.4 million pet dogs in the country). That’s up from 4.8 million in 2013 - a 33% increase in just over a decade. Much of that growth happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a wave of “pandemic puppies” were brought into homes nationwide.

Australia also boasts one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, with around 69% of households owning at least one pet). While that’s great news for dogs, it’s put a huge strain on grooming services that haven’t scaled at the same pace.

Only 4,000 Groomers Nationwide

Despite the boom in dog ownership, there are only an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 professional groomers operating across Australia). That breaks down to roughly 1 groomer for every 1,600 dogs.

Many salons are operating at capacity, and in some parts of the country, there’s simply no one available to take on new clients. Waitlists are becoming the norm - not the exception - even in large cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.

Why the Groomer Shortage Exists

There are a few key reasons why Australia’s grooming workforce hasn’t kept pace with pet demand:

• Training is expensive and inconsistent. There’s no formal licence or certification required, but skilled grooming takes practice and education - often through costly courses.
• It’s physically demanding work. Groomers are on their feet all day, lifting dogs, managing nervous or aggressive pets, and using sharp tools. Burnout is high.
• Salaries can be modest, especially for junior groomers or those working in lower-income regions.
• Many leave the industry within a few years, citing fatigue or lack of career support.
• Regional areas are severely underserved. Many towns outside the metro bubble have no groomers at all.

The result? A fragmented industry struggling to meet growing national demand.

The Rise of High-Maintenance Breeds

The boom in so-called “oodle” breeds - Cavoodles, Spoodles, Groodles, and other poodle mixes - has made the grooming shortage even more pronounced. These low-shedding dogs are hugely popular with Australian families, but their coats mat easily and require full grooms every 4–6 weeks to stay comfortable and healthy.

For many new dog owners, this grooming commitment comes as a surprise.

Thinking of getting a poodle cross? Build regular grooming into your lifestyle and budget from the start.

Grooming Is Getting More Expensive

As demand rises and available slots dwindle, prices are climbing too. In most urban areas:

• Small dog grooms start at $70–$100
• Large breeds can cost anywhere from $120 to $180+, especially with thicker coats
• Extras like de-matting, flea treatments, or hand-stripping can add significantly to the cost

For more on what to expect, read our complete grooming cost breakdown →

Trends Shaping the Industry

Despite the supply issues, there are signs the grooming industry is evolving:

• Mobile grooming is booming. Van-based services and franchises are filling in the gaps, especially in suburbs and outer metro areas.
• Pet pampering is mainstream. Owners are investing in spa-like extras - from massages to colour dye jobs — and expect a high-end experience.
• Retail giants are investing. Chains like Petstock and Petbarn now offer in-store grooming at select locations.
• The humanisation of pets continues to drive demand. Owners increasingly see grooming as healthcare, not just cosmetic care.

This evolution is pushing the industry toward more innovation, more professionalism, and - hopefully - more supply.

What GroomerLink Is Doing About It

We launched GroomerLink to help make sense of this crowded, confusing, and often hard-to-navigate industry.

Our mission is simple:

• Map every groomer in Australia - from cities to the most remote postcodes
• Provide accurate, consistent info on services, prices, hours and specialties
• Help users search, compare, and contact groomers near them - fast
• Champion regional discovery and small business visibility, so every pet owner can find care, no matter where they live

We’re just getting started - but the goal is clear: less guesswork, less stress, and more access to great grooming.

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