How to become a Dog Walker
Walks dogs for exercise on behalf of owners.
Main tasks
- Walks dogs for exercise
- Transports dogs safely and securely between homes and exercise locations
- Ensures health and safety of dogs under their care
- Encourages good behaviour and applies positive reward methods to dogs in public settings
- Cleans up waste and follows council guidelines
- Evaluates situations to ensure own personal safety
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Animal Care (ACM20121); Certificate I in Animal Care Industry Pathways (ACM10121)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- About 21,000 people work in this job group now, and about 23,500 are projected by 2035. (+11.5%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
- Pet Groomer
- Domestic Animal Attendant
- Driving Instructor
- Hair or Beauty Salon Assistant
- Natural Remedy Consultant
- Beauty Therapist
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Dog Walker?
Ways in include: Certificate II in Animal Care; Certificate I in Animal Care Industry Pathways.
Is a Dog Walker a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 21,000 to about 23,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Dog Walker?
Not always. 25% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Animal Care; Certificate I in Animal Care Industry Pathways.
Will AI change the work of a Dog Walker?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04