How much does dog grooming cost in Australia in 2026?

A full dog groom in Australia costs roughly $60 to $150 in 2026 for most breeds, with small dogs sitting at the lower end and big double-coated dogs at the top. If you're in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane you'll usually pay a touch more than in regional towns, and a mobile groomer who comes to your driveway adds a convenience premium on top.

The trouble is that "dog grooming cost" isn't one number. A wash-and-tidy for a short-haired Staffy is a different job to a full breed-standard clip on a matted Groodle, and the price reflects that. This guide breaks down real 2026 dog grooming prices by dog size, by service type, and by salon versus mobile — so you know what's fair before you book.

Want a ballpark for your own dog in 30 seconds? Use the free dog grooming quote calculator and a local groomer will come back with pricing — no signup, no obligation.

Last updated: June 2026.

Key takeaways

• A full groom costs about $60–$150 in 2026, depending on your dog's size, coat and condition.
• Size and coat are the biggest cost drivers — a small smooth-coated dog is far cheaper than a large double-coated or curly-coated breed.
• Mobile dog grooming costs roughly $20–$40 more than a salon visit for the same dog, because the groomer brings the salon to you.
• Puppy grooming costs less — a short intro session runs about $30–$55 — but book early to get your pup used to it.
• Matting is the silent price-bumper — a knotted coat can add $20–$60 in de-matting time, so brush between visits.

What this guide covers

• Average dog grooming cost in Australia
• Dog grooming prices by size and coat
• What's actually included in a full groom
• Mobile dog grooming cost vs salon
• Puppy grooming cost and first visits
• What drives the price up or down
• How to save without skimping
• Frequently asked questions

Average dog grooming cost in Australia

The typical full groom in 2026 lands between $60 and $150, and the single biggest factor is your dog. Below is a realistic price guide built around current Australian salon and mobile rates. All prices are in AUD and most groomers are registered for GST, so assume figures are inclusive unless told otherwise.

These ranges are based on estimates generated through Leadkit's dog grooming calculator using current Australian rates, plus published salon and mobile groomer pricing across the major capitals.

This is a price indication only. Your groomer will confirm the final price after assessing your dog's size, coat and condition.

Across the grooming enquiries generated through Leadkit, the line owners most often underestimate is coat condition — a dog that hasn't been brushed for a month can cost noticeably more than the same dog groomed every six weeks.

Dog grooming prices by size and coat

Size sets the baseline, but coat type is what really moves dog grooming prices. Two dogs of the same weight can sit $40 apart purely because one has a smooth coat and the other has a curly, dense one.

Here's how groomers think about it:

• Smooth/short coats (Staffy, Kelpie, Beagle) — cheapest. Mostly a wash, dry, nails and tidy.
• Double coats (Husky, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd) — a double coat is an insulating undercoat beneath a longer topcoat. It needs a high-velocity blow-out to clear loose undercoat, which adds time.
• Curly/wool coats (Poodle, Cavoodle, Groodle) — these don't shed much but mat fast and usually need a full breed-standard clip, the most labour-intensive groom.
• Wire coats (Schnauzer, many terriers) — some owners pay extra for hand-stripping, where dead hair is pulled rather than clipped to keep the coat's texture and colour.

If your dog is a designer crossbreed — and a huge share of Australian dogs now are — budget toward the upper end of your size bracket, because curly coats simply take longer. You can compare your breed against other pet service calculators to plan the wider cost of ownership.

What's actually included in a full groom

A standard full groom is more than a haircut. When a groomer quotes a "full groom", you should expect bath and blow-dry, a clip or scissor finish, nail trim, ear cleaning, and a sanitary trim (a tidy of the hygiene areas). Some include teeth-brushing or a de-shed treatment; others charge those as add-ons.

Always check what's bundled, because a cheap headline price sometimes strips out the extras:

• Included as standard: wash, dry, clip/trim, nails, ears, sanitary trim.
• Common paid add-ons: de-shedding treatment ($15–$35), teeth cleaning ($10–$25), flea wash ($10–$20), nail grinding, perfume/cologne finish.
• Condition-based charges: de-matting, second wash for very dirty dogs, or a behaviour surcharge for dogs that need two people to handle safely.

Asking "what's included and what's extra?" up front is the easiest way to avoid a surprise at pickup. The same logic applies right across home and pet services — our guides on carpet cleaning cost per room make the same point about clarifying inclusions before you book.

Mobile dog grooming cost vs salon

Mobile dog grooming costs roughly $20 to $40 more than the equivalent salon groom, and for a lot of owners it's worth every cent. A mobile groomer arrives in a fitted-out van with its own water, power and hydrobath, grooms your dog one-on-one in your driveway, and you never load a nervous dog into the car.

So why the premium? You're paying for:

• Travel and fuel between jobs across a city like Perth, Adelaide or the Gold Coast.
• One-on-one attention — no cage-drying, no waiting in a busy salon, which suits anxious or elderly dogs.
• Convenience — no drop-off, no pickup, no half-day without the car.

A salon, on the other hand, is usually cheaper and can be faster if you've got a straightforward short-coated dog. For multi-dog households the mobile premium often shrinks per dog, because the van's already on site. If you're weighing it up, get both a salon and a mobile dog grooming quote for your exact dog and compare like for like.

Puppy grooming cost and first visits

Puppy grooming costs less than an adult groom — usually $30 to $55 — because the session is shorter and gentler. The point of a first visit isn't a perfect haircut; it's getting your pup comfortable with the bath, the dryer, the clippers and being handled, so grooming is calm for life.

Most groomers recommend a puppy's first session from around 12–16 weeks, once vaccinations are sorted. The RSPCA and the Australian Veterinary Association both note that early, positive handling experiences reduce stress and make routine care easier down the track — that's as true for grooming as it is for vet visits.

A few puppy tips that save money later:

• Start early and keep it short so your pup associates grooming with good things.
• Brush at home between visits — five minutes a week stops matting before it starts.
• Book regularly — a pup groomed every six to eight weeks rarely racks up de-matting charges.

What drives the price up or down

Beyond size and coat, four things move the final number most. Understanding them tells you whether a quote is fair.

Coat condition. This is the big one. Matting — knots tight against the skin — is uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe to shave, so groomers charge for the extra time and care. Regular brushing is the cheapest grooming decision you'll make.

Behaviour. A dog that won't stand still, snaps, or needs two handlers takes longer and carries more risk, so expect a surcharge.

Location. Inner-city Sydney and Melbourne salons carry higher rent and wages, which flows into pricing. Australian Bureau of Statistics data has shown pet-care service prices tracking steadily upward with broader services inflation, so 2026 rates sit above where they were a couple of years ago.

Frequency and loyalty. Many groomers offer a small discount for a standing four- or six-weekly booking, because a well-maintained dog is quicker to groom.

Want quotes from local groomers without ringing around all day? Send one quick enquiry and let them come back to you with pricing for your exact dog.

How to save without skimping

You can trim the cost without cutting corners on your dog's welfare. The smartest savings come from maintenance, not from chasing the cheapest groomer.

• Brush between grooms. A matted coat is the most common reason a $90 groom becomes a $140 one.
• Book a maintenance schedule. Regular shorter visits beat occasional rescue jobs on a neglected coat.
• Bundle services or dogs. Two dogs in one mobile visit, or a wash between full grooms, often costs less per service.
• Learn the basics. Nail trims and quick tidies at home reduce how often you pay for them.
• Don't price-shop welfare. A groomer who shaves a matted double coat badly can cause skin damage. Cheap isn't worth it if your dog gets hurt.

If you run a grooming business yourself and want to capture more of these enquiries, an instant quote tool on your site turns price-shoppers into booked leads — explore the full calculator library to see how it works.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How much does dog grooming cost in Australia in 2026?

A: A full dog groom costs roughly $60 to $150 in 2026 for most breeds, with small dogs at the lower end and large double-coated dogs at the top. Wash-and-tidy services start around $40, while giant breeds or heavily matted dogs can push past $200. Mobile grooming adds about $20–$40 over salon pricing. The exact figure depends on your dog's size, coat type and condition, so the best way to get an accurate number is to send your details to a local groomer and let them price the job properly.

Q: Why is mobile dog grooming more expensive?

A: Mobile dog grooming costs more because the groomer brings a fully equipped van — water, power, hydrobath and dryer — to your home and grooms your dog one-on-one. You're paying for travel, fuel and convenience, plus the calmer, cage-free experience that suits anxious or elderly dogs. The premium is usually $20–$40 per dog over a salon groom, though it often shrinks for multi-dog households since the van is already on site. For nervous dogs that hate the car, many owners find it pays for itself in reduced stress.

Q: How much does puppy grooming cost?

A: Puppy grooming typically costs $30 to $55 in 2026 — less than an adult groom, because the session is shorter and focused on getting your pup comfortable rather than a full clip. Most groomers suggest a first visit around 12–16 weeks, once vaccinations are complete. Starting early and brushing at home between visits keeps your dog calm for grooming and helps avoid costly de-matting later. Think of the first few sessions as training as much as grooming.

Q: How often should I get my dog groomed?

A: Most dogs need a full groom every six to eight weeks, though it varies by coat. Curly and wool coats like Poodles and Cavoodles often need a clip every four to six weeks to prevent matting, while smooth-coated breeds can stretch to eight or more. Regular brushing at home extends the gap and keeps each groom cheaper. A consistent schedule almost always costs less over a year than occasional rescue grooms on a neglected coat.

Q: What makes a dog groom more expensive?

A: The biggest cost drivers are size, coat type and condition. Large or double-coated dogs take longer than small smooth-coated ones, and curly coats need full clipping. Matting is the most common surprise charge, adding $20–$60 for the extra time and care. Behaviour matters too — a dog that needs two handlers costs more — as does location, with inner-city salons charging more than regional ones. Brushing between visits is the single cheapest way to keep your bill down.

Q: Is dog grooming cheaper at a salon or mobile?

A: A salon groom is usually cheaper than mobile for the same dog, typically by $20–$40, because there's no travel cost built in. Salons can also be faster for straightforward short-coated dogs. Mobile grooming costs more but adds convenience and a calmer, one-on-one experience. The right choice depends on your dog's temperament and your schedule — it's worth getting a quote for both. You can also compare related costs like pet boarding when planning your annual pet budget.

Q: Do groomers charge extra for matted dogs?

A: Yes. De-matting is almost always charged on top of the base groom, usually $20–$60 depending on severity, because removing tight knots safely takes time and care. Severely matted coats sometimes have to be shaved short for the dog's welfare rather than clipped to style. Groomers follow animal-welfare guidance — bodies like the RSPCA stress that matting can cause pain and skin problems — so they prioritise comfort over appearance. The fix is simple: regular brushing at home between visits.

The bottom line

Dog grooming in Australia in 2026 costs most owners $60–$150 for a full groom, with size, coat and condition setting where you land in that range, and mobile grooming adding a convenience premium of around $20–$40. The cheapest lever you control is maintenance — brush between visits, book regularly, and you'll dodge the de-matting charges that blow budgets out.

Prices vary by groomer and suburb, so always confirm what's included before you book. Remember, any figure here is a guide only — your groomer will confirm the final price once they've seen your dog.

Want an instant price guide for your dog? Get started with Leadkit and send a free dog grooming enquiry — takes 30 seconds, no signup. It's a price indication only; your groomer confirms the final price after assessing your dog.