How much does general cleaning cost per hour in Australia?

 Here’s a snapshot of what Aussies are typically paying in 2025:

Cleaning TypeAverage Hourly Rate
Domestic Cleaning$35 – $50
Commercial Cleaning$45 – $75
Deep/Specialist Jobs$60 – $90

Domestic cleaning usually covers your basics—kitchen, bathroom, vacuuming—while commercial services handle offices, retail spaces, or large facilities, often with industrial-grade gear and OH&S protocols baked in.

Why is commercial cleaning more expensive?

Commercial cleaning isn't just about wiping down desks. It often involves:

  • Disinfecting high-touch zones like door handles, lift buttons, and shared equipment

  • Complying with health codes or industry-specific requirements

  • After-hours access (cleaners working late so your business isn’t disrupted)

  • More comprehensive insurance and trained personnel

For instance, a professional team cleaning a 250sqm open-plan office in Melbourne’s inner suburbs might charge $60/hr, while a smaller workspace in regional Queensland might fall closer to $45/hr.

Does location impact the hourly rate?

Absolutely. Here's a breakdown by region:

City/RegionTypical Range per Hour
Sydney$45 – $75
Melbourne$40 – $70
Brisbane$38 – $65
Perth$40 – $68
Adelaide$35 – $60

Melbourne sits right in the middle—slightly cheaper than Sydney, but generally higher than cities like Adelaide or Hobart.

What do you get for your money?

For general cleans, you can expect:

  • Dusting of surfaces and equipment

  • Mopping and vacuuming floors

  • Rubbish removal and bin liner replacement

  • Sanitising kitchenettes and break rooms

  • Bathroom cleaning and restocking of consumables

Additional services like carpet steam cleaning, glass polishing, or pressure washing may come at extra cost, or be charged by square metre rather than by hour.

How can businesses get the best value?

Here’s a trick seasoned operations managers know: cleaning costs drop when you commit regularly. Many cleaning companies offer discounts for:

  • Ongoing contracts (weekly, fortnightly)

  • After-hours or off-peak scheduling

  • Bundled services (e.g. waste management or consumables supply)

A Melbourne-based property firm recently reported saving over 15% annually by locking in a 12-month plan with their provider and aligning their cleans to after-hours time blocks.

This ties straight into the reciprocity principle: commit to your cleaner long-term, and they’ll often reward you with preferential pricing and consistency in service.

Should I choose hourly or per-square-metre pricing?

Small businesses or one-off cleans often go with hourly rates for flexibility. But for large or consistent contracts, per-square-metre pricing offers predictability.

For example, a warehouse might be quoted $3.50 per sqm, while a boutique legal office might pay $60/hr for after-hours cleaning.

It all comes down to scale, usage patterns, and cleaning complexity.

If you're comparing rates and expectations in Victoria, it's worth checking out what's offered in Commercial Cleaning Melbourne. Providers in this region offer scalable solutions for everything from strata buildings to healthcare centres—and their hourly rates reflect both flexibility and attention to regulatory compliance.

In the end, whether it’s $35 or $75 an hour, you're not just paying for time—you’re paying for peace of mind, a healthier environment, and a space people actually want to return to.

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