Frequently Asked Questions
Sitterly Pty Ltd · ABN 50 696 419 404
Everything you need to know about Sitterly - 64 questions across 10 topics.
Getting Started
(6 questions)Sitterly is a new Australian pet-sitting platform. We connect homeowners who need someone to care for their pets (and home) with passionate pet sitters who stay in the home during the sit. It's a genuine non-monetary exchange, homeowners get peace of mind, and sitters experience a new part of Australia rent-free.
It's simple: homeowners create a free listing describing their home, their pets, and the dates they need cover. Pet sitters browse listings, find sits they love, and send applications with a personal message. The homeowner reviews applicants, chats via messaging, and confirms the sitter they trust most. From there the pair coordinate the details directly.
Yes - Sitterly is a nationwide Australian platform. We have listings and sitters in every state and territory, from capital cities through to regional and rural areas. Use the location filter on the Find a Home or Find a Sitter pages to narrow your search.
Sitterly is a non-monetary exchange platform. Sitters provide care for pets and a home in exchange for free accommodation, no money changes hands for the sit itself. Homeowners list for free, always. Sitters are also free during our current growth phase, with a flat-fee subscription planned in the future to keep the platform sustainable. This keeps the sit itself free for both sides, Sitterly never takes a commission on any arrangement.
Traditional boarding takes pets out of their home, which can cause stress and anxiety. With Sitterly, pets stay in their own environment with their own routines, toys, and smells - far less disruption. Homeowners also benefit from having someone in the home, which can deter break-ins and keep gardens watered. It's a win for everyone.
You can browse many listings and sitter profiles without signing up. However, to send messages, create a listing or a sitter profile, or save favourites you'll need a free Sitterly account.
Nothing - ever. Homeowners have completely free access to the entire platform: create listings, browse sitter profiles, receive applications, message sitters, and confirm a sit. There are no hidden fees, no commissions, and no trial periods.
Sign up as a homeowner, then go to Manage Listings → Create Listing. You'll add your location, available dates, home details (bedrooms, garden, parking), your pets' details (species, breed, age), what you expect from a sitter, and photos. The more detail you include, the better the messages you'll receive from sitters.
Once your listing is live, sitters can message you about it. You can also browse Find a Sitter and message sitters directly. Read their profile and reviews, start a conversation, and ask for references before confirming. We recommend a video call before your first sit.
Yes, up to five per account. If your dates are open, you can mark a listing as having flexible dates, and you can pause a listing and show it again from My Listings.
It's rare, but it can happen. We recommend confirming a sit as early as possible and keeping your listing live while you're talking with a sitter. If a sitter cancels, make sure your listing is live so other sitters can message you. Have a backup sitter from your conversation history if possible.
Absolutely, and we strongly encourage it - especially for first-time sits or if you have complex pet needs. A meet and greet (in person or by video call) lets everyone get comfortable before committing. You can arrange this through the messaging system.
There is no cap. Depending on your location and timing, you may hear from several sitters. You don't have to say yes to anyone, but a polite reply is always appreciated and helps sitters move on to other sits.
Yes. Sign in and tap the heart on a sitter's card to save them, then find them under Saved Sitters. For now, saved sitters are kept on the device you saved them on.
Yes, Sitterly is completely free for sitters during our growth phase. You can create a profile, browse listings and, once your profile is published, message homeowners about their homes. No credit card required.
A public sitter profile that homeowners can find, messaging with homeowners, and a reply rating based on how quickly you respond. You can also say whether you can provide references, and your profile then shows "References available".
Yes, Sitterly is completely free. Create your profile, browse listings and message homeowners without any charge. No credit card required.
Publish your sitter profile first. Then open a listing you're interested in and tap Apply to Sit: it opens a message to the homeowner. Tell them about yourself, why you're a great fit for their pets, and anything relevant from your experience. Thoughtful, specific messages get far more replies than generic ones.
Use a clear, friendly profile photo. Write a warm and specific bio that mentions the types of pets you love, your experience, and what you bring to a sit. Indicate that you can provide references, list your languages, and collect reviews from early sits. Profiles with photos and reviews receive significantly more enquiries.
Yes. You can message as many homeowners as you like, within an hourly limit that keeps spam off Sitterly (it is lower for an account's first day). Homeowners move at different speeds, so contacting a few is sensible. If your dates change, tell each homeowner in your conversation with them.
Responsibilities vary by listing but typically include: feeding and fresh water on schedule, exercise and playtime, cleaning up after pets, basic home tasks like collecting mail and watering plants, keeping the home tidy, and providing updates to the homeowner. Always clarify expectations clearly before confirming a sit.
Not always, but it depends on the sit. Some listings are in walkable areas or near public transport; rural or regional sits almost always require a car. Check the listing details and confirm transport requirements with the homeowner before applying.
Yes. Many sits are ideal for couples or small families, and a listing shows "Couples welcome" when the homeowner has said so. Be open in your profile and messages about who will be staying. Homeowners appreciate knowing everyone who will be in their home.
Many sitters are digital nomads, remote workers, or students. Most listings include Wi-Fi. Always confirm internet speed and workspace with the homeowner in advance if remote work is a priority for you.
One thing: a confirmed email address. Every member must confirm their email before they can create a sitter profile or a home listing. Sitterly supports the connection. Homeowners and sitters remain responsible for getting to know each other, making their own checks and deciding whether to proceed.
No. Sitterly does not run, collect, review or display police checks, criminal history checks or ID checks, and there are no badges or search filters for them. To help you decide, use references, reviews, reply ratings, Sitterly messages, and a meeting or video call before agreeing to a sit.
A sitter can indicate that they can provide references, and their public profile then shows "References available". Reference names and contact details are never shown publicly, and Sitterly does not keep them on the profile. A homeowner asks the sitter in Sitterly messages, and the sitter shares the details there. Homeowners should contact referees themselves before agreeing to a sit.
Any user found to violate our Community Guidelines - including misrepresentation, inappropriate behaviour, animal neglect, or off-platform financial scams - is subject to immediate suspension or permanent removal. You can report any user or listing using the Report button, and our moderation team reviews all reports.
Yes. Homeowner addresses are never shown publicly. Map pins on listings show suburb-level location only. Full street addresses are only shared privately through the messaging system after both parties are comfortable proceeding.
Use the Report function on any profile or listing immediately. For urgent safety matters, contact local emergency services (000 in Australia). Then contact our support team at support@sitterly.com.au. Do not proceed with a sit if something feels wrong - your instincts matter.
Yes. Public reviews appear on sitter profiles and on listing pages. A review can only be written about a sit that was booked through Sitterly and has finished, so many newer members will not have any yet. References, reply ratings, messages and a video call help too.
Messaging is built into Sitterly. To start a conversation, a homeowner needs a published listing and a sitter needs a published profile - it's an exchange, so both sides have something on offer. Anyone can reply to a message they receive. We recommend keeping conversations on Sitterly - it keeps a record and protects both parties.
We recommend staying on Sitterly's messaging system throughout the process. Once a sit is confirmed and both parties are comfortable, sharing a phone number for emergency contact on the sit dates themselves is reasonable. Never move off-platform for financial negotiations or identity documents.
Agree the details in messages first. The homeowner can then send a booking request for the dates from the conversation (the Book button), and the sitter accepts or declines it on the Bookings page. Either way, confirm the start and end dates, key handover, emergency contacts and pet care instructions in writing in your messages, so there is a clear record.
Before confirming, cover: exact dates and times, key handover and return, daily pet care routine, emergency vet contact, house rules and access, Wi-Fi details, any special pet needs or medications, what to do in an emergency, and how often the homeowner would like updates. We recommend a checklist - download our Sitter Agreement for a full guide.
If someone stops replying after initial contact, send one follow-up message and give a reasonable window (2–3 days). If there is no response, move on. For confirmed sits where someone goes silent close to the start date, contact us at support@sitterly.com.au so we can assist.
Yes, Sitterly is currently free for both homeowners and pet sitters during our growth phase. Homeowners will always be free. A subscription fee may be introduced for pet sitters in the future, but all current members will receive plenty of advance notice.
No. Sitterly operates on a non-monetary exchange model. The sitter's compensation is free accommodation during the sit. Financial arrangements outside this model (paying sitters a wage) are not facilitated by Sitterly and fall outside our platform scope.
Homeowners will always be free, that's a permanent commitment. For sitters, we plan to introduce a flat-fee subscription in the future (never per-booking commission). Current sitter members who help build the community will be rewarded and given plenty of notice before any pricing changes take effect.
No. Your profile data is retained even if you're inactive. If you have any questions, contact us at support@sitterly.com.au.
The platform is currently free, so no charges apply. If you have been charged in error, contact us at support@sitterly.com.au. Full details are in our Refund Policy. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply.
No. Sitterly is completely free and no credit card is required to create an account, build a profile, or use any part of the platform.
Sitterly supports all pet types: dogs, cats, birds, small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters), reptiles, fish, and others. You can specify pet types in your listing or sitter profile, and filter searches accordingly.
Only with the homeowner's explicit prior consent. This must be discussed and agreed in writing through the messaging system before the sit begins. Many homeowners are happy with it; others are not - always ask first.
The homeowner should provide the vet's name, address, and contact details before the sit. In an emergency, sitters should take the pet to the nearest vet immediately and contact the homeowner. Most vets will treat the animal and bill the owner directly. Confirm the emergency procedure in advance - it's part of a responsible handover.
Always disclose medication schedules, injections, special diets, or behavioural conditions in the listing and during handover. Sitters should feel confident they can manage the requirements before confirming. If in doubt, be upfront - the right sitter for a complex-needs pet exists and will appreciate the honesty.
Yes, if the listing requires it. Dog walking is a standard part of most dog sits. The frequency, duration, and locations should be discussed beforehand. Some listings are for low-activity or elderly dogs; others expect multiple walks a day. Read the listing carefully and ask questions.
Absolutely. Homeowners should document all their expectations - feeding schedules, exercise routines, sleeping arrangements, treats, prohibited foods, indoor/outdoor access, and any quirks or triggers. The more detail you provide, the better the sitter can care for your pet exactly as you would.
After a sit, both the sitter and homeowner can leave a review for each other. Reviews are public and appear on the respective profiles. We encourage honest, constructive feedback - it helps the whole community make better decisions.
Reviews can be edited within a short window after submission. Once published and visible, reviews are part of the permanent record unless they violate our guidelines (e.g. contain personal attacks, false claims, or inappropriate content). Contact support if you believe a review is in breach of our Community Guidelines.
You can respond publicly to any review on your profile, which allows future users to see your perspective. If you believe a review violates our Community Guidelines, you can report it for moderation review. We do not remove reviews simply because someone disagrees with them.
The reply rating reflects how quickly and reliably a user responds to messages. A high reply rating signals that someone is active, communicative, and respectful of other people's time. It's displayed on profiles to help both sitters and homeowners make informed decisions.
Yes. Some users want to house-sit when they travel but also list their own home when they're away. You can create both a sitter profile and a homeowner listing under the same account. Switch between roles from your dashboard.
Go to your Dashboard or Manage Listings to edit your details at any time. Keep your profile current - update your availability, add new photos, and refresh your bio regularly. Active, up-to-date profiles rank higher in search results.
Go to Account Settings → Profile to update your email address or password. Changing your email will trigger a confirmation to the new address. For password resets, use the Forgot Password link on the Login page.
To delete your account, contact us at support@sitterly.com.au with your request. Account deletion is permanent and removes your profile, listings, and message history from the platform. Subscription cancellation (if applicable) should be completed before deletion.
Upon account deletion, your personal data is removed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Some data may be retained for legal compliance purposes for a limited period as outlined in the policy.
Sitter profiles are public by design - homeowners need to find you. You can control what information appears by choosing not to fill in optional fields. Your contact details, exact address, and payment information are never publicly visible.
Sitterly is a marketplace that connects homeowners and sitters - we are not a party to the arrangements made between users. Responsibility for the conduct of a sit rests with the individuals involved. We strongly recommend reading our Terms of Service and Sitter Agreement before your first sit.
Sitterly does not provide pet, property, or personal liability insurance. We strongly recommend that sitters have their own travel or personal liability insurance for the duration of sits. Homeowners should confirm that their home and contents insurance covers third-party stays - most standard policies do, but check with your insurer.
Sitters agree to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines upon account creation. We also publish a Sitter Agreement outlining responsibilities, conduct standards, and expectations. Homeowners and sitters can also draw up their own private written agreement for individual sits - we recommend it.
Yes. Sitters using Sitterly are independent individuals, not employees or contractors of Sitterly Pty Ltd. Sitterly provides the platform to connect parties but does not direct, supervise, or control how sits are conducted. Sitters are responsible for their own tax obligations including declaring any taxable income or benefits.
Nothing in Sitterly's policies excludes your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2, Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)). You are entitled to a remedy for major failures and compensation for reasonably foreseeable loss. See our Refund Policy for details.
For platform-level complaints, contact us at support@sitterly.com.au. For disputes between a sitter and homeowner, we encourage direct resolution first. Sitterly does not mediate financial disputes between users, but we can suspend or remove accounts found to be acting in bad faith.
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