What is the average hourly rate for a cleaner in Australia?

The average cleaner hourly rate Australia businesses pay in 2026 ranges from $35 to $70+ per hour. We see this variation based on whether we engage an independent cleaner or a professional commercial cleaning company. Location, site type, compliance demands, and cleaning frequency all shape the final cost. Cities like Sydney and regulated sites such as medical centres and childcare facilities often sit at the higher end.

Key Takeaways

• Independent cleaners generally charge $35–$50 per hour, while commercial cleaning companies usually range from $45–$70+ per hour.
• Sydney rates often sit at the higher end ($50–$75+), while Adelaide commonly ranges between $45–$60 per hour.
• Regulated sites such as medical centres, childcare facilities, and high-security buildings can exceed $75 per hour due to compliance and risk obligations.
• Commercial cleaning hourly rates cover wages, superannuation, insurance, equipment, supervision, and quality control—not labour alone.
• Final pricing depends on scope, building complexity, service frequency, and whether we structure the agreement as an hourly arrangement or a fixed contract.

Average Cleaner Hourly Rate in Australia (2026 Market Guide)

The average cleaner hourly rate Australia businesses pay in 2026 depends on who provides the service and where the site is located. There is no single national flat rate.

For commercial cleaning in Australia, current market ranges look like this:

• Independent or sole trader cleaner: typically $35–$50 per hour
• Professional commercial cleaning company: typically $45–$70+ per hour

In CBD locations or regulated environments such as medical centres, childcare facilities, or high-security buildings, rates can exceed $75 per hour. Scope, compliance requirements, and after-hours access all influence the final figure.

These ranges reflect commercial services, not residential work. House cleaning often follows a different pricing model and may include different cost structures.

When businesses ask how much do cleaners charge per hour Australia-wide, the honest answer is: it varies. Cleaner hourly rate Australia figures depend on state, service frequency, building type, and whether the provider is a sole operator or a structured company.

Commercial cleaning rates Australia include far more than labour. They factor in insurance, award wages, supervision, systems, equipment, and quality control. That is why commercial cleaning cost per hour is usually higher than hiring an individual cleaner privately.

For a deeper breakdown of labour-based pricing, our guide on commercial cleaning cost per hour explains how providers calculate these numbers.

Cleaner Rates in Adelaide vs Sydney: What’s the Difference?

Location makes a clear difference in pricing.

Cleaner rates Adelaide

In Adelaide, commercial cleaning companies commonly range from $45–$60 per hour depending on scope and service frequency. Lower overheads, shorter travel times, and reduced parking costs compared to eastern states can influence pricing.

Businesses working with commercial cleaning in Adelaide often find rates slightly more moderate than in larger eastern capitals, particularly for suburban sites.

Cleaner rates Sydney

Sydney pricing typically ranges from $50–$75+ per hour for commercial cleaning services. Labour costs are higher. Travel time, parking fees, and CBD access constraints add to operational expense.

Organisations engaging commercial cleaning in Sydney should expect metro and CBD office cleaning hourly rate figures to sit at the upper end of the national scale.

A practical comparison makes this clear. A small 10-person office cleaned three times per week will be priced very differently from a multi-level medical centre requiring daily sanitation and infection control procedures. The scope drives the hours. The hours drive the cost.

Regional competition, labour availability, and industry concentration also influence cleaner rates Adelaide and Sydney businesses receive.

What’s Included in a Commercial Cleaning Hourly Rate?

Commercial clients are not paying just for someone to empty bins and vacuum floors. A professional commercial cleaning cost per hour typically covers:

• Award wages aligned with the Cleaning Services Award (MA000022) as published by the Fair Work Ombudsman
• Superannuation contributions in line with the ATO Superannuation Guarantee requirements
• Workers compensation insurance as required by SafeWork NSW employer obligations and ReturnToWorkSA requirements
• Public liability insurance consistent with Australian Government business liability guidance
• Equipment and cleaning chemicals
• Supervision and regular quality checks
• Compliance management, especially for medical or strata sites

Independent cleaners operating as sole traders may have lower overheads. That can reduce rates. However, commercial cleaning companies provide structured staffing, backup coverage, and formal reporting.

Residential pricing models are also different from commercial cleaning services. Commercial environments usually require documented systems, compliance records, site inductions, and consistent staffing across shifts.

Businesses paying the average cleaner hourly rate Australia providers charge at the professional level are investing in:

• Reliable attendance
• Replacement staff if someone is sick
• Supervised performance
• Clear communication and escalation processes

Pricing reflects an operational structure. It does not reflect just “a person with a mop.”

Why Commercial Cleaning Prices Vary So Much

Cleaning quotes can differ widely. That usually comes down to scope and risk.

Site size matters, but layout complexity matters just as much. A 500-square-metre open-plan office is faster to clean than a 500-square-metre medical suite with multiple treatment rooms and compliance protocols.

Frequency also plays a role. Daily cleaning, multiple cleans per day, or weekend servicing increases total labour hours. After-hours access requirements or restricted building access can extend shift times.

Security clearances, inductions, and regulated industries push rates higher. Medical centre cleaning rates and strata cleaning costs often exceed standard office pricing due to documentation and sanitation requirements.

High-traffic environments wear surfaces faster. They use more consumables. They require more detailed cleaning. That increases labour input.

Lower pricing sometimes reflects a slimmer level of supervision or minimal compliance support. That does not automatically mean poor service. However, unrealistically low quotes often exclude key inclusions that established providers factor in.

For example, a standard office cleaning scope might focus on vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, and bins. A medical facility may require colour-coded systems, disinfectant dwell times, and audit documentation in accordance with Australian Government infection prevention and control guidelines. The labour model changes.

Hourly Rates vs Fixed Cleaning Contracts

Some businesses are billed purely by the hour. Others operate under fixed monthly or annual agreements.

Many commercial agreements are structured around scope and frequency rather than open-ended hourly billing. Providers often calculate internal costs using the average cleaner hourly rate Australia benchmark, then present clients with a fixed monthly figure.

A fixed contract usually provides:

• Predictable budgeting
• Clearly defined inclusions
• Performance accountability

Organisations comparing options should review a detailed commercial cleaning pricing guide to understand how hourly rates translate into square metre or contract-based figures.

Fixed agreements work well for offices, medical suites, retail premises, and strata buildings where consistency matters. Hourly billing is often better suited to short-term, once-off, or variable-scope jobs.

Both approaches rely on the same underlying cost drivers. The difference lies in how the pricing is presented and managed over time.

Questions to Ask When Comparing Cleaning Quotes

Published averages are useful. Real decisions should be based on detailed scope.

Before selecting a provider, we recommend confirming the following:

• What exactly is included in the quoted hourly or monthly rate?
• Is the provider compliant with the Cleaning Services Award?
• Are superannuation, workers compensation, and public liability insurance included?
• Who supervises the site and how often are quality checks done?
• Are equipment and chemicals included?
• Is there backup staff if the regular cleaner is unavailable?
• Are there additional charges for after-hours service or consumables?

Clear answers reduce confusion later.

Businesses in Adelaide and Sydney benefit from requesting a site-specific assessment rather than relying solely on published averages for cleaner hourly rate Australia figures. Each workplace is different. Each agreement should reflect that reality.

At SJV Cleaning, we focus on clarity, structure, and consistent service delivery across offices, medical facilities, and commercial properties. Organisations that want accurate, scope-based pricing can reach out through our contact page to arrange a tailored assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions