• Home
  • Courses by Subject
      • Accounting
      • Bookkeeping
      • Finance
      • MYOB
      • Payroll
      • Xero
      • Animal Care
      • Animal Science
      • Dog Training
      • Pet Grooming
      • Veterinary Nursing
      • Arts
      • Dance
      • Design
      • Graphic Design
      • Interior Design
      • Photography
      • User Experience Design
      • Web Design
      • Building and Construction
      • Carpentry
      • Plumbing
      • Business
      • Business Administration
      • Business Development
      • Business Operations
      • Change Management
      • Customer Service
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Human Resources
      • Leadership and Management
      • Logistics
      • Management
      • MBA
      • Organisational Development
      • PRINCE2
      • Product Management
      • Project Management
      • Quality Management
      • Reception
      • Small Business
      • Supply Chain Operations
      • Aged Care
      • Alcohol and Other Drugs
      • Celebrancy
      • Community Services
      • Disability
      • Individual Support
      • Youth Work
      • Child Care
      • Education
      • Education Support
      • Training and Assessment
      • Manufacturing
      • Agriculture
      • Conservation and Land Management
      • Horticulture
      • Sustainability
      • Beauty
      • Eyebrow
      • Hairdressing
      • Lash
      • Makeup
      • Nail Technology
      • Allied Health
      • Counselling
      • Dental Assisting
      • Fitness
      • Health
      • Health Administration
      • Health Science
      • Health Services Assistance
      • Life Coaching
      • Massage
      • Medical Administration
      • Mental Health
      • Naturopathy
      • Nursing
      • Nutrition
      • Personal Training
      • Pharmacy
      • Practice Management
      • Psychology
      • Sports Management
      • Event Management
      • Hospitality
      • Retail
      • Travel and Tourism
      • Wedding Planning
      • Agile
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • AWS
      • Cloud Computing
      • Coding
      • CompTIA
      • Cyber Security
      • Data Analytics
      • Data Science
      • IT
      • ITIL
      • Microsoft
      • Networking
      • Programming
      • Software
      • Systems Administration
      • Web Development
      • Compliance and Risk
      • Criminology
      • Government
      • Work Health and Safety
      • Digital Marketing
      • Digital Media
      • Marketing
      • Social Media Marketing
    • Blended
    • In-class
    • Online
    • Virtual
  • Courses by State
    • ACT
    • New South Wales
    • Northern Territory
    • Queensland
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • Victoria
    • Western Australia
    • Graduate Diploma
    • Diploma
    • Advanced Diploma
    • Associate Degree
    • Graduate Certificate
    • Certificate II
    • Certificate III
    • Certificate IV
    • Bachelor
    • Masters
    • Short
  • Courses by Provider
  • Government Funded Courses
  • Student Hub
  • The Workforce Training Hub
  • FAQs
 Homepage

How to Become a Dog Groomer: A Fun Career With Flexible Hours

To be a successful dog groomer, not only do you need to have a love for dogs — you need to possess specific skills to ensure you provide an excellent and safe service. Although formal qualifications aren’t required to work as a dog groomer, completing training, like a Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming) (ACM30121) from a recognised provider makes prospective employees more likely to get an entry-level role.  

Having prior training also means that if you want to start your own business, you can do so confidently and avoid pitfalls along the way. 

Find out how to become a dog groomer and get more helpful insights into this rewarding career.

dog-groomer
  • Overview
  • How to Become
  • Pathways
  • Qualifications

Dog groomer job description

info Where we source our data

Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.

That’s why we anonymously surveyed dog groomers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.

While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.

Dog groomers provide all sorts of grooming services for dogs. These typically include cutting and brushing hair, bathing, clipping nails and checking and treating the dog for fleas if needed. Dog groomers also interact with customers and perform administrative tasks such as booking appointments, answering calls and maintaining a clean grooming area.

Tasks and responsibilities for a dog groomer

So, what does a typical day in dog grooming involve?

A dog groomers work can include: 

  • Provide grooming services, including hair and nail clipping, brushing, bathing, flea treatment and deodorising
  • Deal with customers
  • Ensure the job area and grooming equipment is clean
  • Interact with animals
  • Educate clients on pet care
  • Keep records and perform admin tasks

How to become a dog groomer

Gaining a qualification can ensure you have the skills and knowledge needed to be a top-rate dog groomer. Study shows prospective employers that you take the role seriously and are a valued employee.
  1. Volunteer

    Contact your local pet grooming salon or vet clinic and enquire about helping out on weekends or after hours with basic grooming. Volunteering can be an excellent opportunity to gain real insight into the role and acquire grooming experience in the workplace.

  2. Study

    Enrol in training programs like a Certificate III in Pet Grooming or a Certificate III in Animal Care Services through TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO). There are flexible learning options available, and many can be self-paced so that you can complete them in your own time.

  3. Join the Pet Industry Association

    The pet industry is a heavily regulated one. Therefore, you must be heard as a member of the industry if you wish to start a dog grooming business. A membership with the Pet Industry Association allows you to network with other business owners, be kept up to date with regulation changes and be able to make comments through a peak industry body.

Pathway options

info
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

A dog grooming career could be where you want to stay. Or you could decide to move into other pathways in the animal care industry — the opportunities are plentiful.

Beginning your career in dog grooming could lead to other roles, such as:

Junior

  • Assistant dog groomer

    Most common qualification: Certificate II in Animal Studies (ACM20117)

Mid

  • Dog groomer

    Most common qualification: Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming (ACM30121)

  • Pet shop manager

    Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services (ACM40317)

  • Animal shelter supervisor

    Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services (ACM40317)

  • Animal trainer/behaviourist

    Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services (ACM40317)

Explore related qualifications

Dog & Pet Grooming Certificate

Study method Online

Several dog grooming training courses are available through registered organisations, including intensive versions that take less time to complete. A short or online dog grooming course could be an excellent place to start if you would like to get working as soon as possible.

Read More

6 providers offer this course

Open Colleges
Learning Online
Online Courses Australia
Swinburne Open Education
Ulleo
The Career Academy

Certificate in Animal Care

A course in animal care prepares you for work in pet shelters, kennels, pet stores, rescue centres or grooming companies. Learn animal safety and wellbeing, animal first aid, infection control and skills in communication. This course also allows you to tailor the course to your by offering electives such as pet grooming.

The average duration of this certificate is six months, and some course providers may offer flexible payment plans.

Read More

Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Dog Grooming) (ACM30121)

A nationally recognised qualification in pet grooming will teach you how to properly groom dogs and companion animals. You also learn how to effectively communicate with your team, as well as customer service skills. Learn how to wash and brush dogs, understand breeds and their different requirements, as well as how to ensure the general wellbeing of your animals and much more.

Read More

Related subjects

Jobs that have you up-close and personal to our furry friends and helping make their lives a little better are not limited to dog grooming. There are many other roles in animal care that might be right for you.

 

Some other subjects to explore: 

Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Science
Animal Science
Pet Grooming
Pet Grooming

Related articles

If you have your heart set on a job as a dog groomer, you can access all the information you need to get you there.

Learn how to get the best outcomes step-by-step, hear from real people with inspiring stories, discover information on online courses and other interesting industry information.

Career Quiz - Animal Care
Career Quiz - Animal Care
Read More
From Retail Manager to Dog Groomer: An Inside Look into the Animal Care Industry
From Retail Manager to Dog Groomer: An Inside Look into the Animal Care Industry
Read More
5 Truths About Being a Dog Groomer, Told by a Dog Groomer
5 Truths About Being a Dog Groomer, Told by a Dog Groomer
Read More
What Does a Vet Nurse Do? Expectations Vs. Reality
What Does a Vet Nurse Do? Expectations Vs. Reality
Read More
4 Jobs for Every Type of Animal Lover
4 Jobs for Every Type of Animal Lover
Read More
5 Dream Animal Care Jobs For Animal Lovers
5 Dream Animal Care Jobs For Animal Lovers
Read More
What is an Animal Carer and How Do You Become One?
What is an Animal Carer and How Do You Become One?
Read More
How to Become a Zoologist: Your Complete Career Guide
How to Become a Zoologist: Your Complete Career Guide
Read More
Seniors Over 60: The Best 11 Jobs for You
Seniors Over 60: The Best 11 Jobs for You
Read More
7 Jobs That Allow You to Work Outdoors
7 Jobs That Allow You to Work Outdoors
Read More
8 Best Working From Home Jobs in 2025: How to Make Money From Home Online
8 Best Working From Home Jobs in 2025: How to Make Money From Home Online
Read More
Career Quiz: What Job Should I Do? (Backed by Real Data)
Career Quiz: What Job Should I Do? (Backed by Real Data)
Read More
Career Quiz Results: The Carer
Career Quiz Results: The Carer
Read More
51 Best Remote Jobs: How You Can Earn a Living Entirely Online
51 Best Remote Jobs: How You Can Earn a Living Entirely Online
Read More
What Qualification Should You Take On? (New Guide)
What Qualification Should You Take On? (New Guide)
Read More
Career Change Later in Life: 3 Success Stories That Will Inspire You
Career Change Later in Life: 3 Success Stories That Will Inspire You
Read More

Reviews

info How we collect reviews

Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.

Is this your job title?

Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.

Leave a Review

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
Tara
Sep 01 2021

Love watching the dogs progress.

What are the best parts of the job?

Working with dogs, I've always been a huge animal person. I love progression on dogs that are somewhat aggressive and seeing how far they come within a time frame gaining trust with me. It's so satisfying.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Badly aggressive dogs are the most challenging aspect of the job.

Read More
Qualification No qualification
Experience 5-10
Organisation size Self-employed
Natasha
Sep 07 2021

Need to be adaptable and passionate to love the job.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being able to help dogs feel more comfortable and happy is really fulfilling. It's great making relationships with both the dog and the clients, and making the client feel really happy and validated as a pet owner. I also love being able to educate everybody on coat-care and nutrition.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

There are a few different challenges in this job: dealing with the behaviours of different types of dogs, along with understanding and reading their personalities. Dealing with ridiculous dog owners (there are lot out there) is also frustrating. If you don’t cope well under stress or have good time management then the job can be extremely difficult as you can easily run behind in a day dealing with knotty/naughty/silly dogs.

Read More
Qualification No qualification
Experience 10+
Organisation size Self-employed
Renee
Sep 09 2021

Flexible hours in a job helping dogs live happier lives.

What are the best parts of the job?

There's a long list of things to enjoy about the job: doing something I love, which is helping dogs that are not able to help themselves. Being able to be creative. Being able to run my own business, work my own hours. Preventing animal health issues. Working on my own in the outdoors. Socialising with clients and their pets. And last but not least, having a special bond with your clients' dogs.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Dealing with aggressive clientele. Being underpaid when a job should cost more. Not understanding what grooming needs the client is asking for. Dogs that come in that are in a horrible way! Having to chase payment down when dogs groom has been completed. Dealing with aggressive/anxious dogs. Dealing with vomit/diarrhoea, gunky eyes, smelly discharge.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 5-10
Organisation size Self-employed
Specialisation Pet grooms and de-sheds
Nicola
Sep 01 2021

The dogs are amazing, the clients sometimes aren't.

What are the best parts of the job?

The dogs. Turning a scared dog into a happy dog is the most amazing feeling. Changing a dogs immediate life if they are badly looked after is also amazing.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

The clients. You have to be very diplomatic and patient. Clients are known to not treat groomers very well, and can make the job harder by not looking after their pets better between grooms.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 5-10
Organisation size Self-employed
Su fei
Sep 01 2021

The dogs can be very cute.

What are the best parts of the job?

After the grooming, I love when a dog lays on it's back for you to give them a belly rub!

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Anxious dogs who hate grooming can be challenging, as well as dosg who aren't frequently groomed.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 1-3
Organisation size Self-employed
Specialisation Nursing
Meagan
Sep 07 2021

Flexible job doing what I love.

What are the best parts of the job?

The list is practically endless: I love working with animals daily, working my own hours and being flexible around family commitments. I also get to make my own money and grow my skills endlessly in this role.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Some challenges include juggling time/money, dealing with emotional attachments between pet & owner, and physical strains on the body.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 10+
Organisation size Self-employed
Specialisation Teddy bear & breed specific trims
Jessica
Sep 08 2021

Love seeing the dogs' reactions knowing you're responsible for them feeling great.

What are the best parts of the job?

Seeing how happy you can make both dogs and owners after a grooming session. Some dogs are so proud of themselves afterwards, you can tell they must feel great based on their body language. It's also rewarding to see the owners' appreciation for the care you put into making the dogs look and feel great.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Dealing with dogs that have behavioural issues and owners that aren’t accepting of it. This can be dangerous if the dog is reactive, risking injury to the groomer and the dog.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 1-3
Organisation size Self-employed
Charisse
Sep 09 2021

Working with dogs is great but they can sometimes be difficult to groom.

What are the best parts of the job?

Working with dogs everyday. It's very rewarding and a fun job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

If the dog doesn't like being bathed or groomed, or has never been groomed before, they can be difficult to groom. Sometimes the owners are difficult, but I have found in my experience that the owners are often great. Some dogs aren't groomed at home between professional grooms. so it can be distressing to see them matted or in poor condition.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 0-1
Organisation size Self-employed
Matthew
Sep 09 2021

Flexible role but clients can sometimes be frustrating.

What are the best parts of the job?

Flexibility is high in the list — it's great to be able to choose your own working days and hours.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Educating clients about the welfare needs and coat management, most people seem to think we have magic wands, and can fix their problems, however we spend a short period of time with your pets and endeavour to achieve great results, but this does not negate the need for pet owners to pick up a brush once in a while.

Read More
Qualification No qualification
Experience 10+
Organisation size Self-employed
Omar
Sep 01 2021

Rewarding job, but need time management skills.

What are the best parts of the job?

The best part of the job is that I get to spend time with animals.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Managing appointments can be quite challenging at times, you need to be organised.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size Self-employed
Sossena
Sep 01 2021

Love spending time with furry friends.

What are the best parts of the job?

I love animals, so spending time groomin them makes my job enjoyable.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Handling angry animals that have behavioural issues.

Read More
Qualification Masters degree
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Ciara
Sep 01 2021

It's a challenging career that takes a lot of effort but is rewarding.

What are the best parts of the job?

I really like the animal rescue area.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

It's challenging trying to save the life of an animal in poor condition. It is a very great effort and a battle to be won

Read More
Qualification Professional doctorate
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Wild animals
Sarah
Sep 01 2021

Love seeing client's reactions after their pet has been groomed.

What are the best parts of the job?

The smile on the owners face after the dog has been groomed.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

The caught up hair in poorly treated dogs.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Trudy
Sep 03 2021

Customers can be frustrating but it's nice to help them and their dogs out.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being around people and animals and helping both out.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

The people are more likely to annoy you than the actual animals.

Read More
Qualification Graduate certificate
Experience 3-5
Organisation size Self-employed
Harvey
Sep 03 2021

Enjoy the pay but not the career.

What are the best parts of the job?

The pay is the only good aspect of the job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Turning up each day is a challenge in itself.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 10+
Organisation size 200+ employees
Cassie
Sep 03 2021

Love the team I work with.

What are the best parts of the job?

Meeting my team and building relationships with them.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Trying to get everything correct and following all processes.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 200+ employees
1 2 3 4 5 6
  • Popular Subjects
  • Qualification Type
  • Government Funded Courses
  • Courses by Location
  • Accounting
  • Aged Care
  • Animal Care
  • Beauty
  • Business
  • Business Admin
  • Child Care
  • Community Services
  • Counselling
  • Disability
  • Education
  • Health
  • IT
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Photography
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • View More
  • View More
  • South Australia
  • Brisbane
  • Canberra
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
  • View More
  • Courses In ACT
  • Courses In NSW
  • Courses In NT
  • Courses In QLD
  • Courses In SA
  • Courses In Tasmania
  • Courses In VIC
  • Courses In WA
  • View More
Courses
  • All Subjects
  • Online Courses
  • Courses by Location
Education Providers
  • Our Providers
  • What is an RTO?
Government Funded Courses
  • What is a government funded course?
  • Am I eligible?
  • Funding by State
Resources
  • Our blog
About us
  • About training.com.au
  • FAQs
Contact us
  • Advertise your course
  • Become an affiliate
Certified B Corporation
Training AU Facebook Training AU Instagram Training AU Tiktok
Certified B Corporation
Australian Aboriginal flag Torres Strait Islander flag
In the spirit of reconciliation, training.com.au acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Copyright © 2025 Training.com.au
All Rights Reserved.
Back to Top

You are currently visiting our Australian website Training.com.au

Would you like to visit our New Zealand website instead?

Visit Training.co.nz