Most dog grooming in Australia costs between $50 and $110, depending on what you book. A basic bath and tidy usually runs $50–75, a full groom (bath, haircut, nails, ears and tidy-up) sits at $80–110 for a small to medium dog, and a quick nail trim is $10–20. Bigger dogs, thick or matted coats, and mobile grooming all push the price higher. So the honest answer is that there isn’t one price, there’s a range, and where you land in that range depends on your dog and the service you choose.
That said, ranges are only useful if you understand what moves them. Below is a clear breakdown of what each service costs, why prices vary so much from one salon to the next, and how often you should actually be budgeting for it.
Dog grooming prices by service and dog size
Here’s a realistic price guide based on what groomers across Australia charge in 2026. These are typical ranges, not guarantees, but they’ll keep you from being surprised at the counter.
| Service | Small dog | Medium dog | Large dog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nail trim only | $10–20 | $10–20 | $15–25 |
| Bath and tidy | $50–65 | $55–75 | $70–95 |
| Full groom (bath + haircut) | $65–90 | $80–110 | $100–150 |
| Mobile full groom | $85–110 | $100–130 | $120–170 |
| De-matting (add-on) | +$15–40 | +$20–50 | +$30–60 |
A full groom is the one most owners book, and it’s where the biggest spread shows up. A small, well-maintained poodle might be $70. A large, double-coated dog that hasn’t been brushed in two months can easily push past $130 once de-matting is added.
Photo: Fur Fetch Grooming, Durack QLD — via Groomably
What actually affects the price
When two salons quote you wildly different numbers for the “same” groom, it’s almost never random. A few clear factors do most of the work.
Coat condition
This is the big one, and it’s the factor you have the most control over. A clean, brushed coat is quick and predictable to groom. A matted coat is slow, uncomfortable for the dog, and sometimes risky to clip. Groomers either charge a de-matting fee on top (often $15–60) or, for severe matting, shave the coat right down because brushing it out would hurt the dog. If you want to keep your grooming bill low, regular brushing at home between visits is the single best thing you can do.
Size and coat type
Bigger dogs take more shampoo, more drying time and more clipping, so they cost more. But coat type matters just as much as size. A curly or fleece coat like a poodle or cavoodle needs more skilled scissoring than a short-haired breed of the same weight. It’s worth noting that poodles and cavoodles are far and away the most groomed breeds in the country. Across the 18,376 photos from 2,099 Australian salons we analysed in June 2026, poodles appeared in 2,132 photos and cavoodles in 1,164, well ahead of anything else. These curly coats are popular precisely because they need a groomer’s hands, and that skill is part of what you’re paying for.
Breed and the style you want
A simple bath-and-tidy on a short-coated dog is cheap. A hand-scissored teddy bear cut on a groodle (called a goldendoodle in the US) takes real time and is priced accordingly. The fancier and more precise the finish, the more you’ll pay.
Mobile grooming vs salon: the price difference
Mobile groomers come to your driveway in a fitted-out van and groom your dog one at a time. You’re paying for that convenience, so expect to add roughly $20–40 over salon prices for the same service. It’s a fair premium given the time, fuel and one-on-one attention involved.
Mobile is still a small part of the market, though. Of the 2,099 groomers listed on Groomably, only 137 offer mobile grooming, so availability in your area may be limited. If you’ve got an anxious dog, an elderly dog, or a packed schedule, the extra cost can be well worth it. If your dog travels fine and you want the lowest price, a salon usually wins. You can browse who comes to you on our mobile grooming page.
How often should you budget for grooming?
This depends entirely on coat. A short-haired dog might only need a proper groom a few times a year, with baths in between. A curly or fleece-coated dog like a cavoodle or poodle generally needs a full groom every six to eight weeks to stay comfortable and matt-free. Skip too many cycles and you’ll pay for it later in de-matting fees, so regular visits often work out cheaper than rare ones.
As a rough monthly budget, a curly-coated small dog on an eight-week cycle costs somewhere around $40–55 a month when you average it out. Add a nail trim or two between grooms and you’re still under most people’s coffee budget.
Is dog grooming worth the money?
For breeds with coats that keep growing, grooming isn’t really optional. It’s hygiene and comfort, not a luxury. The good news is that Australian groomers are, on the whole, very good at what they do. The 2,099 salons listed on Groomably hold an average Google rating of 4.68 stars across more than 165,000 reviews, which tells you most owners walk away happy.
The smartest way to control cost is simple. Brush at home, book regularly rather than rarely, and be honest with your groomer about your dog’s coat when you call. If you’re ready to compare options near you, start with our full directory of groomers or browse the photo gallery to see real finished work before you book. A clear idea of the cut you want, plus a well-maintained coat, is the fastest path to a fair price.
