How much does a cleaning business typically earn in Australia?

Cleaning businesses in Australia can earn anywhere from $30,000 to over $200,000 per year, depending on a few key factors:

• Sole traders working part-time can bring in around $30,000–$60,000 annually.

• Full-time solo operators often earn between $60,000–$90,000.

• Small cleaning businesses with staff can scale up to $150,000–$300,000+ in revenue, with net profits around 20–40% depending on expenses and management.

Margins are generally lean in domestic cleaning, while commercial contracts (like office, school, or industrial cleaning) offer steadier work, better hourly rates, and stronger client retention. A single commercial contract can be worth $10,000–$50,000 per year.

What determines how much profit you can make?

Here’s what makes or breaks profitability in a cleaning business:

• Type of cleaning: Specialised niches—like end-of-lease, post-construction, or office cleaning—demand higher prices and fewer competitors.

• Client type: B2B clients often bring longer-term contracts and reliable payments.

• Location: Urban areas like Melbourne or Sydney offer dense client bases but also higher competition and operational costs.

• Pricing strategy: Charging per hour vs per job vs recurring contracts can dramatically shift income potential.

• Operational efficiency: Route planning, staff productivity, and smart scheduling all add up.

One veteran cleaner from Brisbane shared that she doubled her take-home profit simply by swapping one-off jobs for a few recurring small business clients—"Less chasing, more cleaning."

Is a cleaning franchise more profitable than going solo?

Not always. While franchises like Jim’s Cleaning or VIP Home Services offer brand recognition and support, they also take a slice of your revenue—often 10–20% in fees.

Franchisees might enjoy a smoother launch but face limitations on pricing and territory. Independent operators, on the other hand, can craft their own niche and keep 100% of the profits—but need to hustle harder early on to build trust and visibility.

What kind of cleaning work pays the most?

Here’s a rough rundown of the more profitable segments:

• Commercial cleaning (offices, schools, gyms): Regular contracts, often evening work. Rates range from $30–$50/hour.

• End-of-lease cleaning: High demand, especially in metro areas. Jobs pay $200–$600 depending on size.

• Builders cleans/post-construction: Physically intense but well-paid. Can fetch $40–$60/hour or fixed rates per site.

• Medical and hygiene-sensitive cleaning: Requires training and certification, but clients pay premium for compliance.

The hidden bonus? These niches often have fewer competitors and better client retention once trust is earned.

Can you start a cleaning business with low capital?

Absolutely. Cleaning businesses are famously low-barrier. Many start with under $2,000 for:

• Basic equipment (vacuum, mop, chemicals)

• ABN registration and insurance

• Branding (uniforms, logo, website)

What matters more than capital is reputation and reliability. In this industry, referrals are everything. One bad review can echo louder than ten good ones, especially in close-knit business communities.

What are the growth levers for cleaning businesses?

Want to move from $60k to $200k+ in revenue? Here's what the most successful cleaning entrepreneurs do:

• Niche down: Choose a segment like strata cleaning or warehouse floors and become the go-to name.

• Hire and train: Building a trustworthy team lets you service more clients and scale your hours.

• Systemise: Automate scheduling, invoicing, and reminders with tools like Jobber or ServiceM8.

• Reinvest: Use profits to upgrade gear, run local ads, or offer perks that retain top staff.

• Win contracts: Tender for government or corporate cleaning bids—they offer multi-year stability.

As one Melbourne-based cleaning operator put it, “My first two years were all about grinding. Year three, I hired two people and broke $250k in revenue. Now, I work less—but smarter.”

Are cleaning businesses still in demand in 2025?

Yes—and even more so post-pandemic. The focus on hygiene has expanded the scope of cleaning work. Offices are hiring more often, strata committees are upping their cleaning frequency, and schools now demand compliance-level sanitation.

Plus, Australia’s rising cost of living has nudged more households into outsourcing domestic chores. That said, the field is crowded—so standing out through quality and consistency is essential.

What challenges do cleaning business owners face?

It’s not all tidy spreadsheets and sparkling floors. Here’s what operators often wrestle with:

• Staff turnover: Reliable cleaners are hard to find—and even harder to keep.

• Inconsistent cashflow: Some clients delay payments. Chasing invoices is part of the job.

• Physical strain: It’s active, repetitive work that can wear down your body.

• Reputation risk: One unhappy customer can spread bad press quickly, especially online.

But for those who systemise early and focus on service quality, the upsides outweigh the friction.

FAQ

Q: How much does it cost to start a cleaning business in Australia?
A: Around $1,500–$3,000 for equipment, insurance, and marketing basics.

Q: Do you need qualifications to start a cleaning business?
A: No formal qualifications needed, but certifications like infection control or Working With Children checks help.

Q: How long before a cleaning business becomes profitable?
A: Many break even in 3–6 months. Profits scale with client base and efficiency.

Final thoughts

Cleaning businesses offer a surprisingly flexible path to independence—whether you’re after side income or planning a serious venture. The real key is finding the right niche and delivering consistent, high-quality service. And for those in competitive markets like Melbourne, office cleaning remains a high-demand niche that rewards professionalism and dependability. Many businesses—especially in Victoria’s capital—continue to seek office cleaning Melbourne solutions that prioritise both hygiene and hassle-free service.

For anyone willing to put in the elbow grease, the earnings can be anything but modest.