Cleaning Jobs in Australia 2025: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about working in Australia's cleaning industry
IntuitiveCalc Team
Financial Content Specialist
Published: 7 January 2025
| 11 min read
Industry size: Australia's cleaning industry employs over 150,000 workers and is valued at $15 billion. Demand has increased significantly post-COVID with higher hygiene standards.
Cleaning Job Pay Rates 2025
| Cleaning Type | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Office Cleaner (casual) | $28 - $35 | $50,000 - $60,000 |
| Commercial Cleaner | $30 - $40 | $55,000 - $70,000 |
| Hospital Cleaner | $32 - $42 | $58,000 - $75,000 |
| Industrial Cleaner | $35 - $50 | $65,000 - $90,000 |
| Window Cleaner (high-rise) | $40 - $60 | $75,000 - $110,000 |
| Residential Cleaner (employee) | $28 - $35 | $50,000 - $60,000 |
| Residential Cleaner (self-employed) | $40 - $70 | Varies by clients |
Types of Cleaning Work
1. Commercial/Office Cleaning
What it involves:
- Office buildings, reception areas
- Meeting rooms, kitchens
- Bathrooms, common areas
- Usually after business hours
Typical schedule:
- Early morning: 5am - 8am
- Evening: 5pm - 9pm
- Monday to Friday
- 2-4 hour shifts common
2. Hospital/Healthcare Cleaning
Higher Pay, More Requirements
Hospital cleaning pays 15-20% more but requires infection control training, police check, and sometimes working health declaration. Shift work with weekend/night penalty rates available.
3. Residential Cleaning
Pros:
- Daytime hours
- Can build regular clients
- Higher rates if self-employed
- Variety of homes
Cons:
- Travel between jobs
- Need own transport usually
- Supply own equipment often
- Variable hours
4. Industrial/Specialized Cleaning
| Specialization | Rate | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Crime scene cleaning | $50 - $80/hr | Specialized training, mental resilience |
| High-rise window cleaning | $45 - $65/hr | Working at heights certification |
| Pressure washing | $40 - $60/hr | Equipment operation training |
| Carpet cleaning | $35 - $55/hr | Equipment certification |
Getting Started in Cleaning
Requirements
What You Need
- Work rights: Valid visa with work permission
- Police check: $50-80, required for most employers
- Physical fitness: Standing, bending, lifting
- Reliability: Cleaning often done when buildings are empty
- Transport: Many jobs require own vehicle
Helpful Certifications
- Certificate II in Cleaning Operations: 6-12 months, $1,500-3,000
- Infection Control Training: 1-2 days, $150-300
- First Aid Certificate: 1 day, $100-150
- Working at Heights: 1 day, $250-400 (for window cleaning)
Finding Cleaning Jobs
Where to Look
Job Boards
- SEEK - "cleaner" or "cleaning"
- Indeed
- Gumtree (local jobs)
- Jora
Major Employers
- ISS Facility Services
- Spotless
- Jani-King
- Aspen Medical
Starting Your Own Cleaning Business
Self-Employment Checklist
- 1. Get an ABN: Free at abr.gov.au
- 2. Register for GST: Required if earning $75,000+/year
- 3. Public liability insurance: $400-800/year, essential
- 4. Equipment: $500-2,000 initial investment
- 5. Set your rates: Research local competition
- 6. Find clients: Facebook, Airtasker, word of mouth
Self-Employed Earnings Potential
| Service | Rate | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard house clean | $120 - $200 | 2-3 hours |
| End of lease clean | $300 - $600 | 4-8 hours |
| Deep clean | $250 - $450 | 4-6 hours |
| Oven cleaning | $80 - $150 | 1-2 hours |
Working Conditions
Award Conditions (Cleaning Services Award 2020)
- Minimum shift: 2 hours
- Casual loading: 25%
- Saturday: 150% (casual 175%)
- Sunday: 200% (casual 225%)
- Public holidays: 250% (casual 275%)
- Night shift: 15% loading (10pm-6am)
Career Progression
| Level | Role | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Cleaner | $50,000 - $55,000 |
| Experienced | Senior Cleaner | $55,000 - $65,000 |
| Supervisor | Cleaning Supervisor | $60,000 - $75,000 |
| Management | Cleaning Manager | $70,000 - $90,000 |
| Business Owner | Cleaning Contractor | $80,000 - $150,000+ |