Frequently Asked Questions

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 quality applications you'll receive.

Once your listing is live, sitters will apply and send you a personalised message. You can also browse the Find a Sitter page and reach out to sitters directly. Look for verified badges, read their profile and reviews, and start a conversation before confirming. We recommend a video call before your first sit.

Yes. There are no limits on how many listings you can create or keep live at once. If you travel frequently, you can set up recurring or flexible-date listings to attract sitters year-round.

It's rare, but it can happen. We recommend confirming a sit as early as possible and keeping your listing live while you're in conversation with an applicant. If a sitter cancels, re-publish your listing immediately so new applications come in. 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 receive several applications. You are under no obligation to respond to every applicant, but sending a polite decline is always appreciated and helps sitters move on to other sits.

Yes. Click the bookmark icon on any sitter profile to save them to your favourites. This is helpful for finding reliable repeat sitters you've used before or shortlisting candidates before making a decision.

Yes, Sitterly is completely free for sitters during our growth phase. You get full access to create a profile, browse listings, apply to opportunities, and message homeowners. No credit card required.

You get full access to everything: apply to unlimited sits, send and receive messages with homeowners, an enhanced public sitter profile, manage your availability calendar, track profile views and engagement insights, and earn a reply rating based on your responsiveness.

Yes, Sitterly is completely free. Create your profile, browse listings, apply for sits, and message homeowners without any charge. No credit card required.

Find a listing you're interested in, click Apply, and write a personalised 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 applications get far more responses 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. Add your verifications (ID, police check), list your languages, and collect reviews from early sits. Profiles with photos, verifications, and reviews receive significantly more enquiries.

Yes. There are no limits on applications. We recommend applying to several listings that interest you, as homeowners move at different speeds. Always be honest about your availability and withdraw applications if your dates change.

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. Be transparent in your profile and application 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.

We offer three levels of verification: email verification (all users), government-issued ID check, and police check. Verified badges appear on profiles so homeowners can see at a glance how thoroughly a sitter has been vetted. Sitters can upload verification documents via the Upload Verification page.

A police check is not mandatory to use Sitterly, but it is strongly encouraged and significantly increases a sitter's chances of being selected. Homeowners can filter for police-checked sitters. You can upload your check documents and our admin team will verify them within 5 business days.

We delete it. Once an administrator has reviewed your document - whether it is approved or rejected - the file you uploaded is permanently deleted from our storage, within 24 hours of that decision. The deletion is confirmed against our storage rather than assumed. We keep only the outcome of the review: which type of check it was, whether it was approved, the date it was decided, who reviewed it, and the reason if it was rejected. We do not keep the document itself, so we cannot retrieve, re-read or re-send it, and you would need to upload a new one if you were ever asked for it again. Unreviewed documents are deleted automatically after 90 days.

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. All public reviews are visible on sitter and homeowner profiles. We encourage both parties to review each other after every sit. Reviews help future users make informed decisions and are a key part of building trust on the platform.

Messaging is built directly into the platform. Once a sitter applies or a homeowner responds, both parties can chat securely within Sitterly. We recommend keeping all conversations on-platform - 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.

Currently, bookings are confirmed by mutual agreement through the messaging system. Once both parties are happy, confirm the start and end dates, key handover logistics, emergency contacts, and pet care instructions in writing within the platform so there is a clear record.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.