Live-in Dog Carer | Darlinghurst, SydneyPlease note
This is a live-in, lifestyle-based role rather than a traditional hourly or salaried position. It will suit someone who genuinely enjoys having dogs as part of their everyday life.
As this is a unique long-term role, applications will only be considered if they include:
- A current résumé
- A cover letter introducing yourself and telling us a little about who you are
- A short response to the question: “Why does this role appeal to you?”
We’d love to learn a little about you and why you feel you’d be the right fit for the Darlo Dogs family.
About Darlo Dogs
For over 8.5 years, Darlo Dogs has been a home away from home for small dogs. We believe every dog deserves to be treated as an individual, never thrown into situations that overwhelm them, and always cared for with patience, kindness and understanding.
We specialise in small breeds and focus on building confidence through gentle socialisation, structured routine and environments that never overwhelm. Every dog is introduced slowly, thoughtfully and always with their emotional wellbeing front of mind.
We don’t believe in crowded, high-stimulation daycare. Instead, we prioritise balance—play, enrichment, rest and familiarity—so dogs feel safe, settled and able to be themselves.
Darlo’s Den is our home-style boarding service, built on the same philosophy as Darlo Dogs. The dogs who stay with us are already part of the Darlo Dogs family, so we know their personalities, routines and individual needs. This allows us to provide a calm, familiar and personal boarding experience with their wellbeing always front of mind.
The consistency of familiar people is incredibly important to us. Our dogs form real bonds, and we’re looking for someone who understands that this role is about much more than supervision—it’s about becoming a calm, trusted and familiar part of their lives.
The role
This is a unique opportunity to have your own fully furnished one-bedroom Art Deco apartment in the heart of Darlinghurst at a significantly reduced rent while caring for a small group of wonderful dogs.
Imagine living in one of Sydney’s most vibrant suburbs—surrounded by cafés, parks, restaurants, the harbour and the CBD—all while paying well below the usual market rent.
Unlike many boarding environments, you’ll already know the dogs staying with you. They’re part of the Darlo Dogs family, so you’ll build genuine relationships with them and get to know their personalities and routines.
The active, hands-on dog care averages around 16–18 hours per week, including weekday morning and evening walks.
What does a typical week look like?
During the week, you’ll start the day with a morning walk before either enjoying the day together at home or, if you have work, study or other commitments, dropping the dogs to our daycare just a two-minute walk away. At the end of the day, you’ll collect them, head home together, enjoy an evening walk and settle in for the night.
Most weeks, you can expect to have dogs staying with you for around six nights. While the number of dogs may vary, this role is about providing consistent, home-style care and being a familiar presence in their routine.
Weekends are much like having your own dogs. Whether you’re enjoying a slow morning, heading to the park, grabbing a coffee, exploring dog-friendly spots around Sydney or simply relaxing at home, the dogs become part of your day-to-day life.
Outside of daycare hours, the dogs cannot be left unattended.
Responsibilities include
- Caring for up to four small dogs overnight in a calm, home environment
- Morning and evening walks during the week
- Providing companionship, enrichment and attentive daily care
- Taking the dogs on outings or bringing them to daycare when appropriate
- Maintaining a safe, clean and welcoming home
- Treating every dog with patience, kindness and individual care
Your home
You’ll live in your own fully furnished one-bedroom Art Deco apartment in the heart of Darlinghurst for $400 per week (+ utilities). Comparable one-bedroom apartments in the area typically rent for $650–700+ per week.
A two-week rental bond is required, just as it would be with any other rental property. This isn’t shared accommodation—it’s your own home.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A genuine dog lover who is trustworthy, reliable, warm and kind
- Someone who enjoys a quieter pace of life and genuinely likes having dogs around
- Comfortable with early mornings, evening walks and including dogs in everyday life
- Calm, mature and able to work independently
- A thoughtful communicator who enjoys building relationships with both dogs and their owners
- Able to provide consistency and reliability for the dogs
- Experienced with dogs (preferred), although a genuine love of animals and a calm, capable nature matter most
This role can work well alongside study, part-time work or other flexible commitments, provided you have the capacity to give the dogs the care and consistency they deserve.
A minimum 12-month commitment is required. This role is not suitable for Working Holiday Visa holders.
What’s on offer
- Your own fully furnished one-bedroom apartment in Darlinghurst at significantly reduced rent
- An $80 overnight allowance for each night you’re caring for dogs (typically around six nights per week)
- Planned respite breaks throughout the year, including two consecutive dog-free nights every couple of months
- Flexibility to plan holidays and longer breaks with plenty of notice
- The support of a warm, close-knit team
- The opportunity to become a familiar and trusted part of the lives of a wonderful group of small dogs
We’re not simply looking for someone to look after dogs—we’re looking for someone who’ll become part of the Darlo Dogs family.
How to apply
To be considered, please submit:
- Your current résumé
- A cover letter introducing yourself and telling us why you’d be a great fit for the role
- A short response to the question:
“Why does this role appeal to you?”
Applications submitted without a cover letter and response to the above question will not be considered.
Pay: Up to $40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Are you able to commit to this role for a minimum of 12 months?
- This role requires living in the provided Darlinghurst apartment and caring for up to four small dogs overnight as part of your daily routine. Are you comfortable with this arrangement?
- Do you currently have any other work or study commitments?
- Why does this role appeal to you?
- Please briefly describe your experience caring for dogs?
- What would your ideal weekday look like caring for the dogs?
Work Authorisation:
Work Location: In person
