Why Boarding Is Booming
Pet boarding is one of the fastest-growing segments of Australia's pet services industry. The PIAA reports that spending on pet services (including boarding) has grown 30% since 2021, reaching $2.2 billion annually.
The drivers are straightforward: 73% of Australian households own a pet (AMA 2025), Australians travel domestically and internationally more than ever, and the expectation for professional boarding care (rather than asking a neighbour) has grown dramatically.
But boarding is operationally different from grooming or daycare. Overnight responsibility for someone's pet comes with higher stakes, more regulation, and different economics.
Step 1: Check Zoning and Council Requirements
Before investing in a facility, check whether your intended location is zoned for animal boarding. This varies significantly by council area.
What you typically need:
- Zoning check: Contact your local council planning department to confirm that animal boarding is a permitted use in your zone
- Development Application (DA): Most councils require a formal DA for new boarding facilities, including plans for the building, outdoor areas, noise management, and parking
- Noise assessment: Councils are particularly sensitive to barking. You may need a professional noise assessment
- Neighbour notification: Your DA process will usually include notification of nearby residents
Important: This process can take 3-12 months depending on your council. Start early and expect delays. Engaging a town planner experienced in animal facilities can save significant time.
Step 2: Understand Your State's Code of Practice
Each Australian state and territory has a Code of Practice (or equivalent) for animal boarding establishments. These set minimum standards for facility design, animal care, and operations.
Common requirements across states:
- Minimum kennel sizes (typically based on dog weight/height)
- Ventilation and temperature control requirements
- Separate areas for dogs and cats
- Isolation facilities for sick animals
- Access to veterinary care
- Record-keeping requirements
- Staff-to-animal ratios
- Fire safety and evacuation procedures
Contact your state's animal welfare authority for the specific code that applies to you. Requirements vary significantly between states.
Step 3: Design Your Facility
A boarding facility needs to balance animal welfare, operational efficiency, and client confidence.
Core areas to include:
- Individual kennels/suites: Sized to code, comfortable bedding, secure latching
- Outdoor runs or exercise areas: Secure fencing (1.8m+ height), separate areas for large and small dogs
- Indoor play areas: Weather-protected spaces for enrichment and socialisation
- Reception area: Where clients arrive, drop off, and pick up
- Food preparation area: Clean, separate from sleeping areas
- Isolation area: For pets showing signs of illness (required by most codes)
- Storage: For food, cleaning supplies, and client belongings
- Staff facilities: Rest area, bathroom, secure storage
Security is non-negotiable:
- Double-gate entry system (an airlock, so a dog can't bolt when a gate opens)
- CCTV covering all areas
- Secure perimeter fencing inspected regularly
- After-hours monitoring or on-site staff
Step 4: Staff for Overnight Care
Boarding is a 24/7 operation during peak periods. Unlike grooming (which starts and ends each day), boarding requires:
- Morning staff: Feeding, cleaning, exercising
- Daytime staff: Supervision, play groups, client check-ins/check-outs
- Evening staff: Dinner, settling, final exercise
- Overnight coverage: Either on-site staff or reliable monitoring systems
Staff-to-animal ratios vary by code, but a general guideline is 1 staff member per 10-15 dogs during active supervision. During overnight, monitoring systems (cameras, alarms) can supplement reduced staffing.
Step 5: Get the Right Insurance
Boarding carries higher insurance risk than most other pet services because you have overnight custody.
Minimum coverage:
- Public liability: $10-20 million
- Care, custody, and control: Covers injury to or death of animals in your care
- Professional indemnity: Covers claims of negligence in care provision
- Workers' compensation: Mandatory once you have employees
See our complete pet business insurance guide for details on each policy type and how to shop for coverage.
Step 6: Set Your Pricing
Boarding pricing needs to cover significantly higher overheads than grooming or daycare: facility maintenance, overnight staffing, food, bedding, and higher insurance costs.
Typical Australian boarding rates (2025):
| Category | Per Night Range |
|---|---|
| Standard kennel | $45-65 |
| Premium suite | $65-95 |
| Luxury/boutique | $95-150+ |
| Cat boarding | $25-45 |
Peak period surcharges of $5-20 per night are common during Christmas, Easter, and school holidays.
Pricing considerations:
- Per-night vs per-24-hour-period: Per-night is simpler for clients to understand. Per-24-hour-period is fairer for your operations.
- Multi-pet discounts: 10-20% off second pet from the same family is standard
- Extended stay discounts: 5-10% for stays over 7 nights encourages longer bookings
Our boarding and daycare pricing guide covers pricing strategy in depth.
Step 7: Build Your Systems
Before you accept your first booking, you need:
- Booking management: A reliable way to track reservations, check-ins, and check-outs
- Pet profiles: Detailed records for every pet including feeding instructions, medications, emergency contacts, vet details, and behavioural notes
- Vaccination tracking: A system to verify and record vaccination status before accepting any pet
- Communication: A process for updating owners during stays and contacting them in emergencies
- Payment processing: Clear payment terms, deposit requirements, and checkout billing
Key Takeaways
- Check council zoning first. A DA for a boarding facility takes 3-12 months.
- Know your state's Code of Practice. Requirements vary but set minimum standards.
- Design for safety. Double gates, CCTV, secure fencing, and isolation areas are non-negotiable.
- Staff for 24/7 operations. Boarding isn't 9-5. Plan overnight coverage from day one.
- Get comprehensive insurance. Care, custody, and control coverage is essential for boarding.
- Price to cover real costs. Boarding overheads are higher than grooming or daycare.
- Build your systems before opening. Bookings, pet records, and communication need to be reliable from day one.
Related reading: Starting a Dog Daycare in NSW covers the daycare-specific requirements.
Boarding is rewarding, profitable, and in high demand. But it requires more planning, more regulation, and more operational rigour than most other pet services. Get the foundations right and you'll build a business that serves your community for years.
