How much is commercial cleaning per square meter in Australia?
Commercial cleaning costs per square metre in Australia usually sit between $2 and $5 per m² per clean for standard offices. Monthly totals often range from $4 to $8 per m², depending on how often we service the site. We set final pricing based on property type, layout efficiency, location, compliance needs, and the exact services included in the agreed scope.
Key Takeaways
- Standard office cleaning in Australia generally costs $2–$5 per m² per clean. We often see smaller sites pay higher per‑metre rates because labour and travel create fixed costs that we must cover.
- Medical centres and other regulated environments usually cost $3–$7 per m². We factor in infection control procedures, documentation, and compliance duties when we calculate those rates.
- Layout, frequency, site condition, access requirements, and whether we supply consumables all directly influence the final square metre rate. Open-plan offices cost less to service than partitioned spaces with multiple small rooms.
- Standard pricing typically includes core tasks such as vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, emptying bins, and wiping surfaces. We usually quote services like steam cleaning, carpet extraction, and external window cleaning separately.
- The lowest quote often leads to reduced quality and higher compliance risk. We recommend comparing frequency, detailed scope, labour hours, supervision, and reporting before we choose a provider.
What You Can Expect to Pay Per Square Metre in Australia
Commercial cleaning cost per square metre in Australia typically ranges from $2 to $5 per m² per clean for standard office environments. Final pricing depends on size, layout, frequency, and service scope.
If we calculate that monthly for a site cleaned five days per week, many offices fall between $4 and $8 per m² per month. Smaller offices under 500 m² usually sit at the higher end because fixed labour and travel costs are spread across fewer square metres. Larger sites of 1,000 m² or more often achieve lower per m² rates when layouts are efficient and cleaning schedules are consistent.
Location also plays a role. Adelaide commercial cleaning rates are generally lower than Sydney commercial cleaning costs due to labour market differences and wage obligations under the Cleaning Services Award published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. For example, businesses looking for commercial cleaning in Adelaide will often see different pricing structures compared to those engaging Sydney commercial cleaning providers.
These figures are indicative. Each contract depends on site-specific factors, which we’ll outline below.
Commercial Cleaning Rates by Property Type
Different facilities have different needs. That directly impacts the commercial cleaning rate per square metre.
Office Spaces
Office cleaning cost per square metre generally ranges from $2–$5 per clean. A 1,000 m² office cleaned five nights per week may fall within $4,000–$8,000 per month depending on expectations and scope.
Standard inclusions usually cover vacuuming, mopping, bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning, bin removal, and surface dusting. For a breakdown of typical inclusions, we explain them in detail in our guide on what commercial cleaning covers.
If a business requires a structured ongoing program, our office cleaning services are built around consistent schedules and clear scopes.
Medical Centres
Medical centre cleaning costs are higher due to infection control, compliance standards, and audits. Pricing generally ranges from $3–$7 per m² per clean, depending on treatment rooms, sanitising protocols, and clinical waste handling.
Colour-coded systems, documentation requirements, and disinfectant specifications — as outlined in state health environmental cleaning standards such as those published by SA Health — all add time and responsibility. In healthcare settings, compliance isn’t optional and must align with the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare issued by the Department of Health. It directly affects labour allocation and supervision levels.
Strata and Common Areas
Strata cleaning cost per m² usually ranges from $2–$6 per clean. Pricing depends on lifts, stairwells, glass surfaces, bin rooms, and high-touch areas.
Shared facilities such as gyms, pools, and car parks increase labour hours and equipment needs. Multi-level access also adds time. For properties needing consistent shared area maintenance, structured janitorial services often support ongoing presentation standards.
What Affects Cleaning Costs the Most
Square metre pricing gives a guideline. The real cost depends on several operational factors.
Cleaning frequency makes a major difference. Daily cleaning reduces per-visit intensity but increases overall monthly investment. Weekly visits lower monthly totals but often require more effort per visit. We explain recommended schedules in our guide on how often offices should be professionally cleaned.
Scope is another key driver. A general clean costs less than a detailed program with periodic deep cleaning or specialised disinfection. For example, adding deep cleaning services several times per year will increase annual spend but protect long-term asset condition. The distinction between routine and intensive services is outlined in our article on deep vs regular cleaning.
Layout efficiency impacts labour time. Open-plan offices are faster to service than segmented layouts with many small rooms. Corridors, partitions, and glass all add cleaning time per metre.
Site condition also matters. Buildings that haven’t been maintained regularly require more hours to bring up to standard. Ongoing neglect leads to higher starting costs.
Compliance requirements affect regulated industries. Medical, childcare, and some strata environments require documentation, trained staff, and stricter protocols.
Consumables can be included or excluded. Toilet paper, hand towels, soap, sanitary bins, and liners should always be clarified in writing. Without clear terms, two quotes can look similar but cover different deliverables.
Access conditions matter too. After-hours access, security clearances, parking fees, lift restrictions, or lack of storage space all influence labour setup time.
Multi-site coordination can reduce average commercial cleaning rates per site. Central contracts allow better scheduling efficiency and supervision oversight.
For businesses comparing pricing structures more broadly, our breakdown of commercial cleaning costs per hour in Australia provides additional budget context.
What’s Typically Included — and What’s Not
Most standard commercial cleaning pricing guides include core services. These tasks form the foundation of routine maintenance:
- Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
- Cleaning bathrooms and kitchens
- Emptying bins and replacing liners
- Wiping desks and accessible surfaces
- Basic touch-point disinfection
Several services are often excluded or quoted separately:
- Carpet steam cleaning
- Window cleaning (internal or external)
- Hard floor stripping and sealing
- High-level dusting
- Pressure washing
- Consumables (unless specified)
- Specialty disinfection or outbreak cleans
Clarity prevents disputes. Always confirm inclusions in writing before signing a contract. This is especially important when comparing commercial cleaning rates across Australia.
Why the Cheapest Quote Can Cost More Long Term
Low office cleaning cost per square metre can look appealing. In practice, unrealistic pricing often creates problems.
Rushed cleans lead to missed tasks. High staff turnover reduces consistency. Compliance gaps increase risk in medical or strata settings. Reactive management replaces proactive service.
Underquoting is common in competitive markets, particularly where Sydney commercial cleaning costs are tightly contested. A low number on paper doesn’t guarantee value.
Sustainable pricing supports proper staffing levels, training, supervision, and compliance with Safe Work Australia workplace health and safety requirements. Consistent results require realistic labour allocation. The real consideration isn’t just what affects cleaning costs. It’s whether the service protects the building, tenants, and brand reputation.
Our approach to commercial cleaning services focuses on stable staffing and clear scopes so quality doesn’t drop over time.
How to Compare Cleaning Quotes Fairly
Accurate comparison starts with alignment.
- Check frequency first. Both quotes must cover the same number of visits per week. Differences here can shift monthly pricing significantly.
- Confirm scope next. One provider may include consumables, periodic deep cleans, or supervision. Another may exclude them. That changes the true cost.
- Ask how the commercial cleaning cost per square meter was calculated. Labour hours, task schedules, and compliance obligations should be transparent.
- Review insurances and training. Examine staff training systems and quality control processes. Cheaper rates sometimes reflect reduced oversight or limited compliance support.
Compare Adelaide commercial cleaning rates and Sydney commercial cleaning costs within their local context. National averages can mislead because labour conditions differ across states.
For accurate budgeting, request a site assessment rather than relying purely on average commercial cleaning rates. We provide tailored inspections through our contact page, allowing us to assess layout, traffic, and compliance needs properly.
Clear scope. Clear pricing. Clear expectations. That’s how square metre rates translate into predictable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average monthly commercial cleaning cost in Australia typically ranges from $4 to $8 per square metre for standard office spaces. This estimate assumes multiple visits per week. The final monthly rate depends on cleaning frequency, site size, and scope of work. Larger offices with efficient layouts usually achieve lower per-metre pricing than small premises.
Smaller offices often pay more per square metre because fixed labour and travel costs must still be covered. Cleaners require a minimum service time regardless of site size. When fewer square metres are available to spread those costs across, the rate per m² increases. Larger facilities benefit from economies of scale and more efficient workflows, consistent with broader Australian Bureau of Statistics data on labour productivity.
Medical centre cleaning generally costs between $3 and $7 per square metre per visit. Higher rates reflect infection control protocols, specialised disinfectants, and compliance documentation requirements. Treatment rooms and clinical waste handling also increase labour time. Healthcare environments demand stricter standards, which directly affect staffing levels and supervision.
Cleaning frequency, layout efficiency, compliance obligations, and site condition have the biggest impact on pricing. Open-plan offices are faster to service than partitioned spaces. Regulated industries require additional documentation and trained staff. Access restrictions, consumables supply, and specialised services such as deep cleaning can also significantly change the total cost.
Commercial cleaning can be priced per square metre or per hour, depending on the contract structure. Square metre pricing is common for routine office cleaning because it provides predictable budgeting. Hourly rates are often used for once-off jobs or variable scope work. Both methods ultimately reflect labour time, service frequency, and task complexity.