Why not just charge what everyone else charges?

A published market rate does not know your rent, your award wages or the van you still owe money on. Two businesses can charge the same walk and one of them is losing money. Use the price index to see the market, then use this calculator to see whether that market rate actually pays you.

Do I price the pack or the dog?

Enter the price per dog. The calculator multiplies by dogs per walk and still charges the car once per trip. That is the difference between a pack that pays and a pack that is four dogs sharing one underpriced hour.

What if I walk from home and do not have a car loan?

Set the repayment to 0. Keep the per-walk vehicle line. Fuel and tyres still happen. A "free" car is a car you will replace with money you thought was profit.

Why does worn-out equipment sit in the price?

Because you will buy it again. Spreading the cost over its useful life is a replacement reserve, not a depreciation lecture. If you skip it, the next dryer, treadmill or fence comes out of the pay you thought you were taking home.

Are these figures GST inclusive?

They are whatever you type. Use the same basis on every line. If your prices include GST, enter costs the way they hit your account. Mixing a GST-inclusive price with GST-exclusive costs will understate the gap.

Is this financial advice?

No. Every figure comes from the numbers you typed. The minimum price is the point where your walks cover operating costs, the equipment reserve, card fees and the pay you said you wanted. It is a planning tool, not tax, accounting or financial advice.

What you need to charge per walk

Travel minutes and the car usually matter more than the 30 minutes on the lead.

Step 1 of 6Your target

Planning model from the numbers you type. Not financial, tax or accounting advice.

Your target

Floor$83.35

What you want to take home, and what you charge now.

What you want to earn per year

What the business should pay you, before tax. Super is added on the next line.

Super on that pay

12% is the Australian guarantee if you pay yourself a wage. Sole traders still need to put this aside.

What you charge now per dog per walk

A 30-minute solo walk. Pack rates are still entered per dog.

How this one works

Five solo walks with 15 minutes of driving each is not 2.5 billable hours. It is closer to four hours of your day.

Pack pricing that ignores the extra risk and the extra photos is how a $25 walk becomes a $12 hour.

Every figure comes from the numbers you entered. The minimum is the point at which revenue covers operating costs, team wages, the equipment reserve, card fees and the pay you said you wanted, across the dog-walks you realistically complete in a year. It is general business information, not financial, tax or accounting advice. Last updated August 2026.

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