What Does Dog Boarding Cost in Australia? (2026 Guide)

If you're pricing up dog boarding for the first time, the range can be confusing. Rates in Australia run from around $23 a night at budget kennels to well over $70 a night for premium care, and the cheapest and dearest options can look surprisingly similar in an ad. Here's how the market actually breaks down in 2026, and what you're paying for at each level.

Typical kennel rates

In Perth, at the time of writing, budget kennels advertise from around $23 to $27 a night for a single dog, mid-market kennels typically sit in the mid $30s to $40s, and premium facilities charge more again. Our own current rates start at $38 a night for one dog, with discounted family rates for two or three dogs from the same household, published in full on our prices page. East coast capitals tend to run slightly higher than Perth for equivalent facilities.

Home boarding and pet sitters

Platforms like Pawshake and PetCloud connect owners with home-based sitters. In Perth, listed rates commonly range from about $30 to $76 a night depending on the sitter and the level of care. Home boarding suits some dogs well, but it's worth remembering you're relying on an individual rather than a purpose-built facility with established routines, and standards vary from sitter to sitter.

What changes as the price goes up

The gap between a $25 night and a $40 night usually isn't marketing. It shows up in things like individual accommodation rather than shared runs, climate control for hot Perth summers, structured daily routines, medication administration, and staff experience. Extras like door-to-door transport and grooming are usually priced separately wherever you board.

Watch for what's not included

When comparing quotes, check the minimum stay, peak period surcharges and minimums, whether food is included or you supply your own, and what happens if your dog needs a vet while you're away. A cheap nightly rate with add-ons can end up costing more than a published all-inclusive rate.

The questions that matter more than price

Cost matters, but the better questions are about care. Does every dog have their own space? Is play supervised and optional? Who is on site each day, and what's the routine? Transparent pricing is a good sign in itself. A kennel that publishes its rates is telling you it has nothing to hide. For a full walkthrough of how boarding works, see our Perth dog boarding guide.

Prices across the industry move over time, so treat the figures here as a 2026 snapshot and always check current rates directly before booking, including ours.