If you’re a pet owner in Perth planning a trip, or a family looking to visit Western Australia on a budget, Trusted Housesitters offers a practical solution for both. It’s how we spent 6 weeks in Perth with only 2 nights in hotels.
Here’s the basic idea for the Trusted Housesitters platform: Perth homeowners list their travel dates and pets, sitters apply (sometimes locally and sometimes from abroad), and both parties simply pay their own yearly Trusted Housesitters membership. No money changes hands between owners and sitters for the actual sit. It’s a swap. (There is a a per-sit fee of $18 for each the homeowner and pet sitter)
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Other Note: We’ve included a few photos from our housesits in Perth with the owners’ permission. We wouldn’t post photos or videos without requesting permission first.
There are multiple house-sitting platforms that serve Australia. We use Trusted Housesitters because it is the largest platform serving home owners and house sitters worldwide. Here’s our full Trusted Housesitters review. From time to time, they run promotions on their platform features or pricing. Check out the current Trusted Housesitters membership pricing here.
We enjoyed every moment of petsitting in Perth
Quick answer: Why use a house sitter in Perth?
Sometimes pet sitters in Perth will live locally (just looking for a change of scenery or pace to live in your home), and other times, you may get applicants from the other side of the world (like our Canadian family of 5 offering pet sitting in exchange for accommodation).
We’ve been pet sitting in Australia before, but when our friends recommended visiting Perth, we started exploring options there. It’s miles away from petsitting in Sydney, but after a month of backpacking in Vietnam, there were plenty of direct flight options to Perth,
For Perth pet owners, having a pet sitter means:
- Your pets stay in their own home, keeping their normal routine
- Your house stays “lived-in” with lights on, bins taken out, and someone present (one time we caught the house about to flood from an outdoor drain blockage when we were housesitting in Europe, and another time, caught a spot where a pest had gotten in the attic during an owner’s month away).
- It’s significantly cheaper than boarding for longer trips (Perth kennels can run $50-80+ per night per dog)
- Less stressful for your furry friend than a kennel environment
For traveling families, being pet sitters in Perth:
- Free accommodation in real Perth homes with proper bedrooms
- More space than a hotel room for kids to spread out
- A full kitchen to cook meals and save your budget for activities
- The chance to live like locals rather than tourists
We used this approach to explore Perth slowly, balancing pet sitting with beach days, festivals, and family adventures throughout the city.
Our 6-week house sitting experience in Perth with Trusted Housesitters
Our family of five based ourselves in Perth for 6 weeks through back-to-back Trusted Housesitters sits. We moved between three different homes across the city, each giving us a different perspective on life in Perth, WA.
Across those 6 weeks, we stayed in hotels for only two nights while transitioning between sits (The Four Points Sheraton downtown and the YHA Fremantle Prison if you’re looking for a great family-friendly stopover before or after a pet sit). Pet sitting in Perth saved us thousands of dollars on accommodation.
The daily rhythm became familiar: morning dog walks in our temporary home, schoolwork or remote work at the dining table or in the office, afternoon outings to beaches or playgrounds, and evening dog walks through quiet suburban streets. The pets we cared for became part of our routine. Feeding, walks, cleaning litter boxes, watering plants—these responsibilities grounded our days and gave our kids a sense of purpose beyond just sightseeing.
We balanced pet care with exploring Perth’s beaches, the CBD, Kings Park, and local playgrounds. The pets didn’t hold us back. They just shaped how we structured our time.
Walking a dog became part of our routine while pet sitting in Perth
Can Perth home owners find a house sitter? Perth is the perfect location for pet owners and traveling families
Perth’s layout makes it ideal for house sitting arrangements. Suburban neighborhoods spread across the metro area, connected by reliable public transport and within easy reach of some of Australia’s best beaches.
For Perth pet owners looking for a pet sitter:
Perth has natural peaks in travel demand, especially during school holidays in September and the long December-January summer break. Many families head overseas or interstate, creating consistent demand for reliable in-home pet care.
House sitting in Perth also addresses practical home maintenance needs:
- Someone to bring bins in and out on collection days
- Watering reticulation-dependent gardens during the dry months (Perth summers are brutal on plants)
- Keeping an eye on pools and outdoor areas
- Making sure the house doesn’t sit vacant for weeks
Communication and updates:
Owners we’ve sat for mention that daily pet photos, regular updates about the house, and quick messages about how things were going made their holiday more relaxing. Knowing your fur baby is healthy and your garden is thriving while you’re on the other side of the country (or the world) makes a real difference.
Learning responsibilities with different animals is part of the adventure while pet sitting
For traveling families, pet sitting in Perth WA:
Staying in real homes in suburbs like Fremantle or Hillarys lets kids experience local life. They’re not stuck in a hotel room on screens—they’re borrowing books from the local library, walking dogs to neighborhood parks, visiting the dog beach for sunsets, and learning how Perth families actually live.
Practical perks for visitors include:
- Easy access to Transperth trains and buses from most suburbs (at most, we walked about 15 minutes to get on a bus or train)
- Free local parks and playgrounds are everywhere
- Ability to drive or rideshare to beaches (Since Perth is built north to south along the coast)
For parents traveling with kids, that sense of security matters. We felt comfortable letting our boys play in backyards, walk the dogs we watched to the park, and explore the neighborhood in ways we couldn’t do from a hotel.
How Trusted Housesitters works for Perth pet owners (from our side of the swap)
This isn’t a full how-to guide, but here’s a peek at how Perth homeowners experience Trusted Housesitters from our perspective as sitters.
The basic flow:
- Perth homeowners create a listing with their travel dates (for example, “3 weeks in July”), pet details, and home information
- Sitters browse listings and apply with a personalized message and their profile
- Owners review applications, check reviews and verification badges, and choose the sitter that feels right (often connecting by a video call to meet ahead of time).
- Both parties arrange the handover details directly
No money is exchanged for the sit itself. Owners pay their annual Trusted Housesitters membership to list their sits. Sitters pay their annual membership fee to apply. Each pays a small per-sit fee to show a comittment to the sit.
What Perth home owners typically expect:
- Daily pet care (feeding, walks, medication if needed)
- Sending photo updates every day or two via the app
- Collecting mail and keeping the house tidy
- Following garden or pool instructions
- Keeping the house looking lived-in
For first-time owners:
We’ve done video calls before confirming sits, walked through pet routines together on arrival, and trusted housesitters helps the home owner create a “welcome guide” covering everything from vet contacts, wifi instructions, alarm codes, and emergency numbers.
Perth owners mentioned that they liked that the lights came on and off, the blinds opened and closed, that the sprinkler turned on and watered properly, and that the home didn’t look vacant. When you’re away for a week or a month, having someone in the house provides peace of mind.
Can you spot the cat’s paws?
Living like locals: what we actually did in Perth between pet duties
House sitting didn’t feel like a rushed holiday. It felt more like living in Perth for a season, especially with our three boys. There’s so much to do with kids in Perth that we can’t list it all here, but we’ve created another list of family-friendly activities we enjoyed and some that will be on our to-do list for our next visit.
Libraries and free activities:
Our local library became a regular stop for borrowing books and using free Wi-Fi. Libraries in Perth are fantastic—air-conditioned for a poor weather day and plenty to read. We got a temporary pass to take a few books home with us.
Parks and playgrounds:
With dogs to walk daily, we discovered plenty of parks – most of which we wouldn’t have visited if we were staying in hotels.
Public transport adventures:
We used Transperth trains and buses when we needed toget around. Taking the train to Perth Station for festivals in the CBD and the bus to get to and from the airport.
We planned a few bigger paid experiences during our visit:
- Water parks, mini golf, escape rooms, and gaming activities – too many to list here but visit our post about Things To Do With Kids in Perth for a complete list.
Having a kitchen and laundry in each house made normal life tasks easy. We weren’t squeezing five people into a hotel room or eating every meal at restaurants. We cooked dinner most nights, ran loads of laundry, and saved our budget for experiences that actually mattered.
How house sitting in Perth works for traveling families like ours
Many of our readers are families trying to travel on a budget. House sitting in Perth has been a big part of how we’ve managed that.
Space for everyone:
A typical Perth sit gives us more room than any hotel:
- Separate bedrooms for the kids
- A proper living room to spread out
- A backyard for the boys to play (and dogs to run)
- Quiet space for adults to work remotely
Food savings:
Using a full kitchen changed our budget completely. We shopped at Coles, Woolworths, or Aldi like locals. Eating out became an occasional treat rather than an expensive necessity. We’d cook dinner at home most nights, pack lunches for beach days, and save restaurant visits for when we actually wanted to try somewhere special.
Building around pet routines:
We learned to structure our Perth itinerary around pet care:
- Day trips that fit between morning and evening walks
- Activities where being away for only 4-6 hours worked fine
- A full day in Fremantle broken into two shorter visits around dog walks
- Scheduling Rottnest Island for a sit where the animals were comfortable alone longer
Educational benefits for kids:
Our boys learned to care for different types of animals— we’ve cared for dogs, cats, chickens, goats, hamsters, and some fish. Our boys learned how to navigate Perth’s public transport system. They saw what everyday life in Perth looks like, rather than just tourist attractions. That kind of experiential learning sticks.
We enjoyed the company of our furry hosts while petsitting in Perth. It’s one of the best benefits of pet sitting!
Common questions Perth homeowners ask about Trusted Housesitters
Here are the most common we hear most often from pet owners considering house sitting for the first time. If you’re looking for an exhaustive list, here are 125 questions about housesitting with Trusted Housesitters.
How much does Trusted Housesitters cost?
With recent changes to ownership, Trusted Housesitters pricing structure has fluctuated recently. They offer 3 tiers of membership which all allow unlimited house sit listing or applications. The premium (top) tier offers no booking fees (usually about $18 AUD per confirmed sit) as well as some additional insurance in the case of an unforseen event. Here are some helpful links:
- Current Trusted Housesitters annual membership pricing
- Our comparison of the various Trusted Housesitters Membership Tiers
- Comparison of the most widely used housesitting platforms if you’d like to explore options.
How do I know the sitter is trustworthy?
Homeowners can read detailed sitter reviews from previous sits, check ID verification badges, and arrange video calls before confirming anyone. You’re not handing your keys to a stranger—you’re selecting from profiles with references and track records.
What if something goes wrong with my pet?
Owners leave vet details, emergency contacts, and clear instructions. Trusted Housesitters also provides 24/7 vet advice lines. Sitters are instructed to contact owners and follow their wishes if anything unusual happens. Great communication throughout the sit keeps everyone informed.
Will a house sitter leave my house clean?
Sitters are expected to leave the home at least as clean as they found it, wash bedding, and tidy surfaces before owners return. Most sitters (including us) take pride in leaving the house immaculate—it’s part of building a good reputation for future sits. The platform operates on reviews, so every review matters to our ability to continue traveling with Trusted Housesitters.
How long can sits be?
In Perth, we’ve seen everything from weekend sits to multi-week sits over school holidays. Longer sits over a lengthy period, like Christmas or European summer, are common, and often attract experienced sitters looking for extended stays.
How do keys and access work?
Usually exchanged in person when owners leave and collected upon their return. If schedules don’t overlap, a secure lockbox works fine, or left in the mailbox or with a neighbor if that’s comfortable. We’ve done both.
Can I give specific instructions?
Absolutely. You can write a detailed welcome guide including pet routines, house rules, and anything unique about your Perth property—pool pump schedules, reticulation timers, security system codes. The more detail, the smoother the sit.
If you have a really unique set of instructions – an important plant or medication for your pet, for instance – mention this is the listing so that only petsitters who feel comfortable providing the care you need will apply.
Tips for Perth pet owners preparing for their first house sitter
If you’re a Perth homeowner planning your first longer trip away, here’s how to set things up well for your sitter and your pets:
Complete Trusted Housesitters provided “welcome guide”:
Include feeding times, walk routes, vet contact information, preferred parks, and any quirks. Mention things like “scared of thunder during Perth summer storms” or “loves her evening cuddle on the bed.” The more your trusted pet sitters know, the better care they can provide.
Arrange a pre-trip meet-up or video call:
Walk through the house, show where supplies are kept, and let pets meet the sitter if possible. This builds trust on both sides and helps animals adjust. If we’re already in the are, we like to stop over and meet in person ahead of time. Even visiting the day before, if we’re flying into the area, and staying the night in a hotel gives the pets some familiarity that we were welcome in their home while their family was there.
Set clear expectations:
Be upfront about things like:
- Whether visitors are allowed
- Car use (allowed or not)
- Pool access
- How often you would like updates and photos
- Any rooms or areas that are off-limits
Stock up before you leave:
Have enough pet food and basic cleaning supplies for your entire trip, especially during busy travel times like Christmas or Easter in Perth. For some extended stays, fresh pet food needs to be purchased while you’re away, so often pet owners will leave us a gift card to cover the expense of the pet food at the pet store, or leave a card on file at the vet for specialized food.
Leave a welcome:
A simple note and maybe some basic groceries (milk, bread, fruit) set a friendly tone and make the sitter’s arrival smoother. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way. It’s not a requirement by any means, but if you have half a jug of milk, or a partial loaf of bread that would spoil while you’re away, just let your house sitter know they’re welcome to it.
House sitting vs kennels and boarding in Perth – cost and comfort
Many Perth owners first look at kennels or catteries, then discover in-home house sitting as an alternative. Here’s how they compare:
| Factor | Kennels/Boarding | House Sitting |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $50-80+ per night per dog; adds up quickly for multi-week trips | Annual membership only; no nightly fees to sitter |
| Pet comfort | New environment, shared spaces, routine disruption | Familiar home, normal routine, own bed |
| Multiple pets | Often charged per animal | Same cost regardless of pet count |
| Home security | House sits empty | Someone present, lights on, lived-in appearance |
| Home maintenance | None | Plants watered, bins managed, mail collected |
| Best for | Short trips, highly social dogs | Longer holidays, anxious or senior pets |
For a 3-week holiday with one dog, kennels might cost $1,000-1,600+. Trusted housesitters costs your annual membership—a fraction of that— with a small per-sit fee, regardless of how many sits you do or how many pets you have.
Kennels may still suit some situations. Very short trips where finding a sitter isn’t practical, or highly social dogs who genuinely enjoy the company of other animals, might do fine in a quality boarding facility.
For most Perth pet owners taking longer trips, house sitting offers better value and a happier pooch.
Our honest take: Is a house sitter in Perth right for you?
After 6 weeks in Perth with Trusted Housesitters, we can honestly say it worked wonderfully for our family. We explored the city, our boys made memories, and we saved thousands on accommodation. The pets we cared for became temporary friends, and the homes we stayed in felt like real homes—not hotel rooms.
When House sitting works best for Perth home owners:
- Value their pets staying at home in familiar surroundings
- Want their house cared for while they’re away
- Are comfortable with someone else living in their space
- Appreciate regular updates and photos during their trip
When Housesitting in Perth Works Well For Families:
- Are flexible with dates and locations (Perth is a destination – not a city you just hop over to from another part of Australia)
- Are happy to build sightseeing around pet routines
- Want more space and a kitchen to save money
- Prefer living like locals over traditional tourism
Trusted Housesitters is our personal choice because of its global community and review system. The service has worked reliably for us across multiple sits in Perth and beyond. That said, we always encourage readers to do their own research and check current membership terms.
If you’re a Perth pet owner planning a holiday, creating a Trusted Housesitters listing could give you peace of mind while keeping your animals happy at home. If you’re a family looking to visit Perth affordably, joining as sitters opens up free accommodation and authentic local experiences.
