Australia is our home base. Melbourne is where Britt grew up, where we return between international stints, and where we’ve done more house sits than anywhere else in the world. Over two years of sitting in Australia we’ve looked after more than 25 homes across Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast, regional Victoria, and Queensland. We’ve sat in city apartments with cats, suburban houses with multiple dogs, and rural properties with chickens, horses, and everything in between.
Australia is also — and we say this without qualification — the best country in the world to start house sitting. The reasons are structural, not accidental. This guide covers all of them.
Table of Contents
Why Australia Is the Best House Sitting Market in the World
The single most important fact about house sitting in Australia is the homeowner-to-sitter ratio. There are consistently more homeowners looking for sitters than there are qualified sitters available — particularly on Australian-specific platforms. This means that as a sitter, you are applying in a far less competitive environment than you would face in London or New York.
The reason for this comes down to pet ownership. According to Animal Medicines Australia, 73% of Australian households owned a pet as of 2025 — up from 61% pre-pandemic. With 31.6 million animals across the country and a culture that treats pets as family, demand for in-home pet care through house sitting is exceptional. Australians are deeply reluctant to put their animals in kennels — the preference for a trusted in-home sitter is strong and consistent.
For new sitters especially, Australia is the place to build your first reviews. Homeowners here are more likely to reach out to sitters directly, more likely to give newcomers a chance, and more likely to leave detailed, generous reviews after a sit that goes well.
The Best House Sitting Platforms for Australia
Aussie House Sitters — Best for Australia Overall
Aussie House Sitters is the dominant Australian-specific platform and our first recommendation for anyone focusing on sits within the country. The homeowner-to-sitter ratio is the most favourable of any major platform — homeowners regularly reach out to sitters directly, even those with limited reviews. This makes it the best platform in the world for new sitters trying to land their first assignment. At $84 AUD per year it is also excellent value. Use code AHS10 for a discount at checkout.
Mindahome — Best Value Australian Platform
Mindahome is our secret weapon for Australian sits. At $59 AUD per year it is the cheapest dedicated Australian platform available, and it has become significantly more active over the past few years. The support team is the most responsive of any Australian platform — questions get answered quickly and the dashboard is well maintained. We have completed multiple sits through Mindahome and consistently found it less competitive than Aussie House Sitters for equivalent listings.
TrustedHouseSitters — Best for Urban Australian Sits
TrustedHouseSitters has strong coverage in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth and is worth holding alongside an Australian-specific platform. The welcome guide system and mobile app are unmatched — and for city-based sits specifically, the workspace and Wi-Fi filters are useful for remote workers. Use code TRUSTED15 for 15% off. For a full breakdown of how the platform compares, see our detailed TrustedHouseSitters review.
HouseCarers — Best International Platform with Australian Coverage
At $50 USD per year, HouseCarers has meaningful Australian coverage and a strong community. For sitters who want international coverage alongside Australian sits, the combination of HouseCarers and Aussie House Sitters covers most of the market at a combined cost well under $150 AUD annually. For a full comparison of every platform’s pricing, see our house sitting membership costs guide.
Platform Comparison for Australia
| Platform | Annual Fee | Best For | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aussie House Sitters | $84 AUD | Best homeowner ratio | Low–Medium |
| Mindahome | $59 AUD | Best value, responsive support | Low |
| TrustedHouseSitters | $129–$259 USD | Urban sits, app quality | Medium |
| HouseCarers | $50 USD | International coverage + AU | Low–Medium |
Do House Sitters Get Paid in Australia?
Traditional house sitting — where free accommodation is exchanged for pet and property care — does not involve payment in either direction. The arrangement is a mutual exchange: you get free accommodation, the homeowner gets reliable in-home care for their pets and property.
Some sitters do charge for their services, particularly for paid pet sitting or house minding jobs. If you’re interested in this model, we’ve covered what to charge for house sitting in Australia in a separate guide.
If you are in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, being paid for house sitting raises visa and tax complications that are worth understanding before you accept paid arrangements. Free accommodation exchange sits on a tourist or Working Holiday Visa are straightforward — paid arrangements are more complex. See our Working Holiday Visa guide for the full picture.
When Is the Best Time to House Sit in Australia?
The honest answer is that good sits are available year-round in Australia — the country is so geographically diverse that seasonal demand varies significantly by region. That said, the peak periods for house sitting demand across the country are:
December to January — Summer school holidays and Christmas This is the busiest period for house sitting demand across Australia. Families travel over Christmas and New Year, schools are out for six to eight weeks, and homeowners who haven’t secured a sitter often reach out directly to sitters on platforms. If you are in Australia during this period and have an active profile, you are very likely to be contacted.
April — Autumn school holidays A shorter window but consistently busy across all states. Two weeks of holidays in most states means homeowners are travelling and looking for sitters.
July — Winter school holidays Two weeks in most states. Ski season in the Victorian and NSW Alps brings an unusual but genuine house sitting opportunity — properties near Mt Buller, Falls Creek, and Perisher need sitters during winter, and sitting near a ski resort is one of the most underrated experiences in Australian house sitting. Britt and Jay actually met during the ski season in the Australian Alps — so this one holds a special place for us.
September — Spring school holidays Another two-week window. Spring is beautiful across most of Australia and this is one of the most pleasant times of year to be sitting in Melbourne, Sydney, or Adelaide.
For current school holiday dates by state, the Australian Government’s education calendar is the most reliable source — dates shift slightly each year.
The Best Cities for House Sitting in Australia
Melbourne Our home city and the place we’ve done more sits than anywhere else. Melbourne’s inner suburbs — Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, Prahran, St Kilda, Northcote — are dense with sits and brilliantly connected by tram. The coffee culture, restaurant scene, and general livability make it one of the most enjoyable cities in the world to spend a month in a house sit. We’ve written a dedicated house sitting in Melbourne guide covering the best neighbourhoods and what to expect.
Sydney Sydney is the most competitive market in Australia for house sitting — the desirability of the city means more applicants per listing than anywhere else domestically. That said, the homeowner-to-sitter ratio is still more favourable than London or New York. Inner West suburbs, the Eastern Suburbs, and the Lower North Shore consistently have the highest sit density. The harbour, beaches, and general quality of life make a Sydney sit worth working for.
Brisbane Brisbane is significantly less competitive than Sydney and Melbourne and has been growing fast as a house sitting market since the 2032 Olympics announcement. The subtropical climate means outdoor sits with gardens and pools are common, and the city’s proximity to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast adds lifestyle value to sits in the surrounding area.
Perth Perth is underrated in the house sitting community. The homeowner-to-sitter ratio is excellent — it’s geographically isolated, which means the pool of available sitters is smaller than on the east coast. Sits in the western suburbs and coastal areas are particularly popular. The weather is exceptional from September to May and the lifestyle is genuinely relaxed.
Adelaide One of the most pleasant cities in Australia for a longer sit. Lower competition than the east coast capitals, strong suburban coverage, and proximity to the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Fleurieu Peninsula makes it an excellent base for exploring South Australia.
Regional Australia Some of our favourite Australian sits have been outside the major cities. A lifestyle property in regional Victoria with horses and a kitchen garden, a coastal home in the Otways, a farmhouse in Queensland — regional sits are often longer, less competitive, and more immersive than city sits. If you want to really experience Australia, don’t limit yourself to capital cities.
Getting Around Australia
Australia is enormous — roughly the same size as the continental United States. Getting between cities requires planning, and the right transport choice depends heavily on your situation.
Flying is the most practical way to move between major cities. Jetstar and Virgin Australia are the cheapest domestic carriers. We use Skyscanner for price comparison and book as far in advance as possible — domestic fares in Australia can spike significantly last minute.
Driving is the best way to experience the country if you have time. If you’re in Australia for more than a few months, buying a second-hand car is worth considering — Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and Carsales are the best places to look. A reliable car for $3,000–$5,000 AUD is achievable and will significantly expand your house sitting options beyond capital cities.
Trains connect the major east coast cities and offer a genuinely enjoyable way to travel if you’re not in a hurry. We took The Spirit of Queensland from Cairns to Brisbane — one of our favourite Australian travel experiences. Long-distance rail is slower and more expensive than flying but worth it at least once.
Public transit within cities is strong in Melbourne (trams), Sydney (trains and ferries), and Brisbane (trains and buses). For car-free sitters targeting urban sits, Melbourne is the most naturally suited — the tram network covers inner suburbs comprehensively. Our guide to house sitting near public transit covers how to filter for transit-accessible listings before you apply.
Safety for House Sitters in Australia
Australia is a very safe country for travellers and house sitters. The things worth being aware of are primarily wildlife-related rather than crime-related.
Snakes are present across most of Australia, particularly in suburban and rural areas. Bites are uncommon but the risk is real, especially if you are walking dogs off-lead in long grass or bushland. Always ask homeowners about the snake risk in their specific area. Keep dogs on lead in areas with known snake activity. Know the location of the nearest vet before you start any sit.
Spiders — including redbacks and funnel-webs in urban areas — are worth being aware of. Check dark corners, garden beds, and under outdoor furniture. A pet first aid course that covers venomous bites is worth doing before any Australian sit involving outdoor animals.
Kangaroos are a significant road hazard at dawn and dusk, particularly on regional highways. If you are driving in rural Australia, reduce your speed around dusk and be prepared for kangaroos on road verges. They jump without warning and a collision at speed is dangerous for everyone involved.
Heat is a genuine risk in summer, particularly in Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. Dogs especially can suffer from heatstroke quickly. Always have fresh water available, avoid walking dogs in the middle of the day between November and February, and know the signs of heat stress in animals.
A pet first aid course is genuinely worth completing before your first Australian sit. It takes half a day, covers all of the above, and gives you the confidence to handle an emergency correctly.
The Australian Mindset About House Sitting
One thing that distinguishes house sitting in Australia from most other markets is the culture around it. Australians are genuinely warm, direct, and unpretentious about the arrangement. Homeowners tend to communicate clearly, prepare well, and express appreciation openly. We have had more homeowners leave us gifts, send thank-you messages after returning, and invite us back than in any other country we’ve sat in.
Melbourne in particular has a culture of treating house sitting as a community arrangement rather than a transactional one. The homeowners we’ve met through sits here have become some of our closest Australian connections. That kind of relationship is what makes house sitting genuinely different from any other form of travel accommodation — and Australia does it better than almost anywhere.
If you’re just getting started and want to build your review profile quickly, starting in Australia is the best decision you can make. For everything you need to know about setting up your profile, writing your first application, and landing your first sit, our step-by-step guide to becoming a house sitter covers the full process. And if you’re budget-conscious, our breakdown of the most affordable Australian platforms shows you exactly where to start for the lowest possible outlay.
Ready to Start?
Australia is waiting. Whether you’re a local looking to travel your own country more affordably, a working holidaymaker stretching your budget, or an international sitter who wants the best possible start — there is no better place to begin.
👉 Start your house sitting journey here
Related Pages:
- House Sitting in Melbourne
- House Sitting Near Public Transit
- House Sitting Membership Costs
- House Sitting for Retirees
- House Sitting Resources for Beginners
Author: Britt
I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past seven years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, one turtle, and one rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.
The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.
I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures, and meet new people.
Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.
I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so please reach out if you have any questions! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!
You can read more about Jay and me here!
Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house-sitting community on Facebook.
