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How much does house cleaning cost in Australia?
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Estimated cost
$40 - $850
low
$40
median
$200
high
$850
Last Updated on
Written by Cielo B.
Staff Writer
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Key Facts
House cleaning costs can vary widely, depending on the task, property size, and level of cleaning required. For instance, simple services like fridge cleaning start at $40 while more complex tasks like move-in and end-of-lease cleaning can cost more, ranging from $200 to $850.
Self-employed house cleaning contractors generally charge $55 to $90 per hour because their rate must cover more than their labour, including tax, insurance, travel, cleaning supplies, equipment, and other business expenses.
To manage costs, clearly describe the property size and required tasks, provide supplies where practical, and book during regular weekday hours.
Does your weekend get swallowed up by vacuuming, mopping, and dusting? Instead of spending your precious free time on housework, consider hiring a professional. But before you decide, understanding how much professional house cleaning costs is vital, so you can choose which services are worth the investment for your lifestyle.
In this guide, we'll explore the costs of different professional cleaning services, including contractual rates, to help you understand their pricing structures. We'll also share tips on which tasks you can delegate to a house cleaner to maximise your budget.
House cleaning prices for different types of cleaning services
House cleaning prices depend largely on the type of house, the tasks, and the amount of work involved. Expect common tasks like floor cleaning to be more affordable, while spring cleaning and bond cleaning cost tend to run higher.
Check this house cleaning prices list for reference:
House cleaning service |
Average Costs |
|---|---|
$80 – $400 |
|
$100 – $350 |
|
$80 – $350 |
|
$280 – $700 |
|
$50 – $300 |
|
$40 – $250 |
|
$50 – $300 |
|
$200 – $850 |
|
$80 – $250 |
|
$80 – $250 |
|
$150 – $650 |
|
$100 – $600 |
|
$150 – $260 |
Average hourly house cleaning rates in Australia
The average hourly rate of a house cleaner depends on whether they’re employed (and their employer covers their expenses/tax/superannuation) or they’re self-employed. Fairwork Australia has set the cleaning services award for employed house cleaners at the following rates:
Level |
Weekly (full-time) |
Hourly pay (full-time/part-time) |
Hourly pay (casual, includes 25% extra) |
|---|---|---|---|
Cleaning service employee Level 1 |
$1,028.90 |
$27.08 |
$33.85 |
Cleaning service employee Level 2 |
$1,062.90 |
$27.97 |
$34.96 |
Cleaning service employee Level 3 |
$1,119.10 |
$29.45 |
$36.81 |
Unless you’re planning to employ your house cleaner full-time, these house cleaning rates per hour won’t apply to you. You’ll be engaging your cleaner as a contractor to come into your home for a few hours once off or on an ongoing basis every week or so. This means they’ll need to charge you higher rates because they’re covering their own expenses, including:
Their wage
Tax
Superannuation
Insurance
Travel expenses
Cleaning supplies
And more!
Most of the time, your cleaner will need to charge you double or triple the standard award rate to cover the costs associated with running their own business. This means you can expect to pay around $55 to $90 per hour for a self-employed house cleaning contractor. So, when setting your budget for a task, remember the approximate number of hours it might take, and then multiply it by at least $55.
Keep in mind, though, that this is just an estimate and prices can still vary depending on your location. House cleaning costs in Sydney, for example, can be more expensive than in other regions, since it's a major metropolitan area with a higher cost of living.
What factors affect the cost of cleaning a house?
Professional cleaning of a bedroom floor (Source: iStock)As you can see from our price guides above, the cost of different services can sometimes vary widely. Here are the factors that might affect the price of your house clean:
Location and accessibility
Location is one of the most significant factors affecting house-cleaning costs. For instance, house cleaners in metropolitan cities such as Sydney and Melbourne often charge premium rates, particularly for apartments without lifts and properties in the Central Business District (CBD). Access can be more challenging in these locations, requiring cleaners to spend additional time and effort carrying their equipment.
While regional coastal areas such as Cairns and Darwin generally have lower house-cleaning costs, travel surcharges may apply if your property is located far from the cleaner.
Home size and room count
The larger your home is, the higher your house-cleaning costs are likely to be. This is because it takes longer for a cleaner to complete the job, especially if you have multiple bedrooms and additional storage areas. Having more than one bathroom can also increase the price, as these are wet areas that require thorough cleaning and sanitising of the toilet, basin, shower screen, tapware, and mirror.
Current condition of your home
Well-maintained properties usually cost less to have professionally cleaned. However, if your home is neglected or heavily soiled, expect premium pricing. This applies particularly to homes that haven’t been professionally cleaned in over a year and require a first-time clean. First cleans often take longer because the cleaner covers the full scope of the property and addresses areas typically skipped during maintenance-only visits.
Type of cleaning service
Standard house-cleaning services that include vacuuming, mopping, dusting, wiping benchtops and appliances, bathroom surfaces (toilet, shower, basin), and bin emptying often cost less because they take only 1 to 3 hours to complete.
Meanwhile, deep cleans can be more expensive, as they typically require extra time from your house cleaner, so you can expect to pay up to double their standard house-cleaning prices. This is advised for homes that need extra TLC, for a spring clean, or once a quarter between standard cleans. It may cost you between $280 and $650 for a 4-hour deep clean on a 3-bedroom house.
Scheduling: date and time
The timing of your booking can affect house-cleaning costs. Expect premium rates during peak periods, such as late December before the holidays and around the end of the financial year, when demand for bond cleaning increases as corporate leases end. The same may apply to weekend and public holiday bookings.
Fortunately, many cleaning companies offer discounts for weekly, fortnightly, and monthly cleans. These recurring services are often cheaper because they reduce labour time and make scheduling more efficient.
Add-on services
If you book a standard cleaning service, keep in mind that the following tasks are usually not included and may cost extra:
Cleaning inside ovens, fridges, or cabinets
Grout scrubbing or tile descaling
Cleaning window tracks and sills
Carpet steam cleaning
Blind washing
Garage or balcony cleaning
High-pressure washing of exterior surfaces
Mould treatment or pest control
These add-ons can increase the total cost by a few hundred dollars, especially for end-of-lease cleans, where services such as carpet steam cleaning, oven cleaning, and interior window cleaning may be required.
How to save money when hiring a cleaner
Deep cleaning high-end living room spaces (Source: iStock)Save a few hundred dollars on house cleaning services with these money-saving tips:
Prepare your home before arrival
Set aside at least 15 minutes to prepare your home before your scheduled clean. Since most cleaning services charge by the hour, clearing clutter, moving personal items, and tidying a few rooms beforehand can reduce the total cleaning time and help lower costs.
Bundle multiple services together
Some cleaning companies offer discounts of 10% to 20% when you choose a bundled package. For example, you may combine a standard cleaning service with add-ons such as window cleaning, oven cleaning, carpet shampooing, or fridge cleaning. Although the total price will be higher, the bundled rate is usually cheaper than booking each service separately.
Book on off-peak periods
Consider booking a weekday appointment, particularly from Tuesday to Thursday, as these days may attract lower rates. You may also save money by scheduling your clean between May and August, when demand is often lower.
What to look for in a house cleaner
Housekeeping staff making a bed in a modern room (Source: iStock)Choosing a reliable and certified house cleaner can help you get professional results. Here are a few things to look for when hiring one:
Check their experience and specialisation
Look for professionals with hands-on experience cleaning different types of properties, whether residential, commercial, or both, as this can make them more flexible.
While most house cleaners in Australia don’t have formal certifications, an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credential can be helpful for specialised work such as carpet cleaning, water damage restoration, and mould removal.
Verify insurance and equipment
Check that the cleaner has Public Liability Insurance, as this can help protect both you and the cleaner if someone is injured or your property is damaged. You should also ask whether they’ll bring their own supplies, such as a vacuum, mop heads, microfibre cloths, scrub brushes, and dusting tools. If you prefer natural or eco-friendly products, mention this upfront.
Look for flexibility and reliability
It’s best to book at least two to three days ahead, but choosing a cleaner with a flexible schedule and same-day or next-day availability can be helpful if you need a clean as soon as possible. You may also want to look for online booking options with clear quote breakdowns and appointment confirmations, as these can be signs of a reliable service.
Assess their pricing
Getting multiple quotes can help you compare prices and find the best option for your needs. Once you receive a quote, check what’s included, such as equipment and cleaning supplies, and confirm whether the price is hourly or flat-rate.
Keep a spotless home with Airtasker
Professional cleaning team tidying a modern residential kitchen (Source: iStock)Now that you have a clearer idea of typical rates, you can book a cleaning service that suits your home and budget. Whether you need a top-to-bottom deep clean or regular upkeep, Airtasker can help you find a local expert for the job. Post a task today and connect with reliable house cleaners near you, so you can spend your weekends doing what you enjoy.
Learn more about our contributors
Written by Cielo B.
Staff Writer
Cielo is an experienced content writer who has explored various industries throughout her career. Her expertise, founded on a degree in journalism, includes writing about automotive and home maintenance. Cielo also covers topics like dressmaking, tailoring, and photography since she is a passionate cosplayer who enjoys dressing up as her beloved anime characters.
FAQs about house cleaning prices
A cleaning contractor's hourly rate depends on a lot of factors, like location, skill, demand, and experience. A standard hourly rate for cleaners in Australia is anywhere from $55 to $90/hour.
Yes. Usually, house cleaners will charge a premium for bond cleans because they’ll need to spend more time and cover every detail. A proper bond clean is worth paying for, though, because it means you’ll be more likely to get most (or even all) of your bond back.
Yes. Usually your house cleaner will charge more for larger houses or houses on multiple storeys. And if your home is located in an inner-city area with limited access and parking, your cleaner will charge a premium.
House cleaning costs generally scale up with the number of bedrooms. Typically, you can expect to pay around:
$120 to $240 for a 2-bedroom home
$150 to $280 for a 3-bedroom home
$160 to $320 for a 4-bedroom home
For a 5-bedroom home or larger, prices typically start from around $188 and can go up from there, depending on the size and condition of your home.
You can find affordable house cleaners in Australia through Airtasker, where you can compare prices, read reviews, and book trusted professionals. Whether you need regular cleaning, deep cleaning, or end-of-lease cleaning, here are some local options:
House cleaning costs vary based on home size and service type, but you can get personalised quotes and find the best fit for your budget on Airtasker.
You can ask, but most house cleaners aren’t trained to clean heating or cooling units properly. For a thorough and safe job, it’s best to book a local heating and cooling technician near you.
Booking a cleaner on a regular basis (weekly or fortnightly) is usually more affordable per visit than a one-off clean, often by around 10 to 20%. This is because your cleaner won't need to reset your whole home from scratch each time.
Weekly cleans are typically a little cheaper per visit than fortnightly ones, since less mess builds up between visits. For a standard 3-bedroom home, this typically works out to around $120 to $220 per visit.
Pets don't necessarily push up the price of a house clean. That said, it's still a good idea to mention any pets when you post your task, so your cleaner knows what to expect and can bring along anything they might need, like pet-friendly cleaning products.
This depends on your individual cleaner and whether they're registered for GST. When you receive quotes through Airtasker, check with your cleaner directly to confirm whether their price includes GST.
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