An employed cleaner in Australia earns $60,000 to $65,000 per year on average, based on 2026 data from SEEK. The Cleaning Services Award 2020 sets a minimum of $25.85 per hour for full-time Level 1 cleaners, or $32.31 per hour for casuals with the 25% loading. Market rates sit higher: Indeed reports an average of $33.36 per hour across 11,400 salaries (May 2026), rising to $35.47 per hour for house cleaners specifically.
Independent cleaning business owners earn more. A solo operator charging $35 to $55 per hour for residential work can take home $55,000 to $95,000 per year after costs. Operators who move into bond cleaning, commercial retainers, or specialised services like medical facility cleaning can push that to $70,000 to $115,000 or more.
This guide covers award rates, business owner income by service type, the real operating costs, the labour hire licensing trap most cleaning blogs ignore, and what insurance costs.
TL;DR
- Employee cleaners under the Cleaning Services Award earn $25.85/hr (Level 1 FT) to $32.31/hr (Level 1 casual). Market rates average $33-$35/hr. Penalty rates push casual Sunday earnings above $58/hr, and public holidays above $71/hr.
- Business owners set their own rates: $35-$55/hr domestic, $40-$80+ commercial, $250-$550+ per bond clean. Medical and post-construction cleaning commands $60-$120+/hr.
- Scaling from solo to team on commercial premises can trigger mandatory Labour Hire Licensing in VIC, QLD, SA, and ACT, with penalties exceeding $600,000 for non-compliance.
- Real take-home depends on cost control: chemicals, transport, scheduling software, and insurance ($400-$900/yr PL) all compress your margins.
- upcover arranges public liability and business pack insurance for cleaning businesses with instant Certificate of Currency on confirmation.
Cleaner earnings by Australian city
Average annual salary for employed cleaners varies by location. These figures reflect employed cleaner roles based on 2026 job market data, not business-owner earnings.
| City |
Average annual salary |
Approximate hourly rate |
| Sydney |
$52,800 |
$27/hr |
| Canberra |
$51,840 |
$26/hr |
| Melbourne |
$50,400 |
$25/hr |
| Darwin |
$50,400 |
$25/hr |
| Perth |
$48,960 |
$24/hr |
| Brisbane |
$45,600 |
$23/hr |
| Gold Coast |
$44,160 |
$22/hr |
| Adelaide |
$43,200 |
$22/hr |
| Newcastle |
$42,240 |
$21/hr |
| Hobart |
$40,800 |
$20/hr |
Source: RealPay 2026, based on job market data and government statistics. Hourly rates are approximate based on a standard 38-hour week. Actual earnings depend on the employer, experience level, shift type and whether penalty rates apply. Sydney's higher average reflects the city's cost of living and stronger demand for cleaning services across residential, commercial and strata properties.
Business owners who set their own rates typically charge $35 to $55 per hour for domestic cleaning and $40 to $80 or more per hour for commercial and specialist services. These figures are separate from the employed-role averages above. For more on running a cleaning business and what insurance costs, see our guide to insurance for cleaners in Australia.
Employee Salary vs Business Owner Income
What employed cleaners earn under the award
The Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022) sets the minimum pay rates for cleaners employed by contract cleaning businesses. Rates effective from 1 July 2025:
- Level 1 (standard cleaning: dusting, vacuuming, mopping): $25.85/hr full-time, $32.31/hr casual (25% loading)
- Level 2 (specialised equipment: pressure washers, steam cleaners): $26.70/hr full-time, $33.38/hr casual (25% loading)
- Level 3 (supervisory: managing cleaning staff and operations): $28.12/hr full-time, $35.15/hr casual (25% loading)
Part-time employees receive an additional 15% loading per ordinary hour on top of the base rate.
Penalty rates (casual, inclusive of 25% loading):
Cleaning Award Pay Rates
| Period |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
| Weekday (day shift) |
$32.31/hr |
$33.38/hr |
$35.15/hr |
| Saturday (175%) |
$45.24/hr |
$46.73/hr |
$49.21/hr |
| Sunday (225%) |
$58.16/hr |
$60.08/hr |
$63.27/hr |
| Public holiday (275%) |
$71.09/hr |
$73.43/hr |
$77.33/hr |
Market rates exceed the award minimum. Indeed reports an average of $33.36/hr for general cleaners and $35.47/hr for house cleaners across Australia (May 2026). SEEK reports $60,000 to $65,000 per year for full-time cleaner roles (April 2026).
What a cleaning business owner takes home
A business owner's income is revenue minus costs. The hourly rate you charge clients is not your take-home pay.
Cleaning Business Revenue and Take-Home
| Business type |
Typical annual revenue |
Typical annual costs |
Estimated take-home |
| Solo operator (domestic standard) |
$70,000–$130,000 |
$15,000–$35,000 |
$55,000–$95,000 |
| Solo operator (bond + specialised) |
$90,000–$160,000 |
$20,000–$45,000 |
$70,000–$115,000 |
| Small team (2–4 cleaners) |
$150,000–$300,000+ |
$90,000–$200,000 |
$60,000–$100,000+ |
Solo domestic operators typically run net margins of 40% to 55%. Small teams see margins compress to 15% to 30% due to payroll, super, and management overhead.
Why Income Varies Between Cleaning Businesses
The service-mix pricing gap
Your income tier depends almost entirely on what type of cleaning you do.
Cleaning Service Rates and Margins
| Service type |
Typical client rate |
Margin level |
| Standard domestic house cleaning |
$35–$55/hr |
Low to moderate (high competition) |
| Bond/end-of-lease cleaning |
$250–$550+ per job (flat rate) |
Moderate to high |
| NDIS domestic cleaning |
$50–$65/hr (NDIS price guide rates) |
Moderate |
| Commercial office cleaning (retainer) |
$40–$80+/hr |
Moderate (stable, recurring) |
| Medical facility cleaning |
$60–$90+/hr |
High (infection control protocols) |
| Post-construction/builders clean |
$65–$120+/hr |
High (heavy debris, specialised gear) |
| Industrial disinfection |
$80–$120+/hr |
Highest (fewest competitors) |
Domestic house cleaning is the entry point. Bond cleaning, commercial retainers, and specialised niches are where business owners scale their income.
Residential clients vs commercial retainers
Domestic clients book per visit or per week. Revenue fluctuates with cancellations and seasonal dips. Commercial contracts (offices, schools, body corporates, medical centres) pay on monthly or annual retainers, providing stable recurring income. Commercial clients typically require a Certificate of Currency showing $10 million or $20 million in public liability cover before signing a contract.
Location and scheduling efficiency
Metro operators (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) charge higher rates but face more competition. The biggest margin killer for any cleaning business is unbillable travel time between jobs. Clustering clients geographically keeps your billable hours high and fuel costs low.
The Real Operating Costs
Cleaning Business Running Costs
| Cost category |
Typical annual range |
Notes |
| Cleaning supplies and chemicals |
$2,000–$6,000 |
Higher for specialised or commercial work |
| Vehicle and fuel |
$4,000–$12,000 |
Includes registration, maintenance, parking |
| Insurance (PL + equipment) |
$400–$2,500 |
PL alone: $400–$900 for a sole trader |
| Marketing |
$1,000–$4,000 |
Airtasker fees, Google ads, local flyers |
| Scheduling software |
$300–$1,500 |
ServiceM8, Jobber, or similar job management tools |
| Staff wages (if employing) |
$45,000–$65,000 per employee |
Plus 12% super guarantee from the first dollar |
From 1 July 2026, Payday Super requires employers to pay super at the same time as wages, not quarterly. This affects cash flow planning for cleaning businesses that employ staff.
For more on whether a carpet cleaning operation is worth the investment, see upcover's guide on carpet cleaning business profitability.
What Insurance Does a Cleaning Business Need?
Insurance is a fixed business cost and a commercial requirement. Without a valid Certificate of Currency, you cannot access most commercial, body corporate, or real estate agency cleaning contracts.
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance may help cover claims if you accidentally injure a third party or damage their property while cleaning. Typical cost for a cleaning sole trader: $400 to $900 per year depending on revenue and cover limit. Three common risk scenarios:
Slip and trip. You mop an office reception floor during business hours. A visitor slips on the wet surface and sustains a wrist injury. They make a claim for medical costs and lost income. Public liability insurance may respond to claims for accidental third-party bodily injury, subject to policy terms.
Chemical surface damage. You use an acidic cleaning agent on a client's marble kitchen benchtop. The chemical corrodes the surface, leaving permanent etching. The client claims the cost of replacement. Public liability insurance may respond to claims for accidental third-party property damage, subject to policy terms.
Key and lock loss. You lose the master key set or electronic swipe card for a commercial office building or gated strata complex. The building management requires a full re-keying of the premises for security. They hold your business liable for the cost. Public liability insurance may respond to claims arising from accidental loss causing third-party financial exposure, subject to policy terms.
Illustrative scenarios only. Coverage depends on the terms of the individual policy.
Treatment risk endorsement
Standard public liability policies typically exclude damage caused by your cleaning process to the surface or item being cleaned. If your cleaning chemical damages the very surface you are treating, a standard policy may not respond. A treatment risk endorsement may extend cover for this type of claim. If your business handles carpet cleaning, floor stripping, or chemical surface treatment, confirm that your policy includes this endorsement. See the full explanation in upcover's commercial cleaning insurance guide.
Tools and equipment cover
Vacuums, steam cleaners, carpet extractors, and pressure washers are expensive and mobile. Theft from vehicles parked at job sites is a common risk. A business pack policy may help cover your equipment against accidental damage, theft, or fire, subject to policy terms.
For more on common cleaning business claims and how to manage them, see upcover's guide on common cleaning insurance claims.
How upcover Arranges Insurance for Cleaning Businesses
upcover is a digital-first insurance broker helping Australian cleaning businesses arrange the right insurance without the paperwork or phone queues. upcover arranges public liability, business pack, and tools cover for home cleaners, commercial cleaners, and cleaning contractors across Australia, with access to 80+ insurance partners.
- 70,000+ businesses covered across Australia.
- 4.9/5 customer rating.
- Instant Certificate of Currency on policy confirmation.
upcover Pty Ltd ABN 17 628 197 437 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1299211) of Experience Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 41 657 596 506, AFSL 539078.
Get a quote through upcover's house cleaners insurance page or the general cleaners insurance page.
FAQ
How much do cleaners get paid in Australia?
Employed cleaners earn $60,000 to $65,000 per year on average based on 2026 SEEK data. The Cleaning Services Award minimum is $25.85/hr for full-time Level 1 or $32.31/hr for casuals. Market rates average $33-$35/hr according to Indeed. Business owners earn more depending on service type and scale.
How much can a cleaning business owner earn per year?
A solo domestic cleaning operator typically takes home $55,000 to $95,000 per year after costs. Operators who move into bond cleaning, commercial retainers, or specialised services can push take-home to $70,000 to $115,000 or more. Small teams generate higher revenue but margins compress with payroll.
Is a cleaning business profitable in Australia?
Yes. Solo domestic operators typically run net margins of 40% to 55% due to low overheads. Profitability depends on your service mix, pricing, scheduling efficiency, and cost control. Specialised services (bond, medical, post-construction) offer higher margins than standard house cleaning.
What is the minimum award rate for cleaners?
Under the Cleaning Services Award 2020, the Level 1 full-time minimum is $25.85/hr (effective 1 July 2025). Casuals receive a 25% loading, bringing the Level 1 casual rate to $32.31/hr. Penalty rates apply for Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, and early/late shifts.
Do home cleaners need insurance?
If you work as a sole trader or contractor, you are not covered by any employer's insurance. Public liability insurance may help cover claims for accidental damage or injury while cleaning. Most commercial clients, real estate agents, and body corporates require a Certificate of Currency before engaging a cleaner. Typical cost: $400 to $900 per year for a sole trader.
What is the difference between an employee cleaner and a subcontractor?
An employee cleaner is hired under the Cleaning Services Award, with tax withheld, super paid by the employer, and award protections including leave and penalty rates. A subcontractor operates under their own ABN, sets their own rates, manages their own tax, and arranges their own insurance. If someone controls your hours, provides your equipment, and sets your rate, you may be an employee regardless of whether you hold an ABN.
The information in this article is general in nature and provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute personal financial, tax, or insurance advice. Salary and income figures are based on publicly available 2026 Australian market data from Indeed, SEEK, and the Fair Work Commission, and may vary by location, experience, and business model. Award rates are based on the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022) effective 1 July 2025 and may change following future Annual Wage Reviews. References to labour hire licensing are based on publicly available state legislation current at the time of writing. Always confirm with the relevant state authority. All insurance products arranged through upcover are subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions contained in the relevant policy wording and Product Disclosure Statement. Before deciding whether a particular insurance product is right for you, please read the relevant PDS and consider your personal circumstances. upcover Pty Ltd ABN 17 628 197 437 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1299211) of Experience Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 41 657 596 506, AFSL 539078. upcover arranges insurance products with selected insurers and underwriters and does not compare all general insurers or insurance products available in the market.
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