How do I become a pet groomer
Get qualified to work as a pet groomer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Pet Groomer.
Common questions
In Australia, a full time pet groomer generally earns $1,200 per week ($62,400 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
Courses.com.au Team
The number of people working as a pet groomer has increased steadily and there are now 4,100 people in this role (this has increased from 3,100 five years ago). Many people choose to be a pet groomer in a part-time role. Pet groomers may find work across all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
Courses.com.au Team
To become a pet groomer, consider the Certificate III in Pet Grooming. This is an 18 month course covering everything you need to know to groom domestic cats and dogs. You’ll learn grooming techniques and become familiar with the equipment needed for pet grooming including hydro-bath. You’ll also cover other relevant topics including hygiene and infection control.
Courses.com.au Team
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Pet Groomer careers
A pet groomer looks after the physical appearance of family pets. You’ll mostly work with dogs, but you could expect to work with other animals like cats or guinea pigs from time to time. A pet groomer’s day might involve bathing animals, washing their fur, cutting their hair and clipping their nails. You might also clean teeth and ears and keep an eye out for things like skin irritations or injuries under the fur the owner may not have noticed. Occasionally owners might even request something fancy like coloured hair for their pooch or painted nails!
To be a pet groomer you’ll need to really love working with animals. You may have to look after animals of all sizes, breeds and temperaments so flexibility is important. Animals can be unpredictable so you’ll need to be patient – sometimes they do not enjoy having a bath! Pet groomers also need people skills because you’ll need to talk with pet owners about what they need for their animal. Time management is important too because you’ll be handling many clients each day.
