How much should a cleaner be paid an hour?

Saara

How much should a cleaner be paid per hour? That question sparks everything from eyebrow raises at dinner parties to heated staffroom debates. Whether you’re hiring or being hired, there’s often uncertainty about what’s fair, what’s standard, and what might be pushing it. So, here’s the straight-up answer: In Australia, cleaners are typically paid between $25 to $40 per hour, depending on the job type, location, and experience level. But as with most things, there’s more to it than just a number.

What’s the typical hourly wage for cleaners in Australia?

The Fair Work Ombudsman sets the minimum hourly rate for cleaners under the Cleaning Services Award. As of 2025, the base rate starts around $24.76 per hour, but that doesn’t always reflect what’s actually paid on the ground. Here’s a more practical range:

Entry-level domestic cleaner: $25–$30/hour
Experienced office/commercial cleaner: $30–$38/hour
Specialised roles (biohazard, post-construction): Upwards of $40/hour

Of course, rates can vary wildly depending on whether you’re employed through a company, self-employed, or working for a cleaning platform like Airtasker.

What factors affect how much a cleaner gets paid?

Not all cleaning is created equal. Here's what typically bumps that hourly rate up:

Type of cleaning: A quick weekly house clean is very different from end-of-lease work or hospital-grade sanitation.
Shift times: Evening, weekend, or public holiday work usually comes with penalty rates.
Location: Expect higher rates in metro areas like Sydney or Melbourne, where cost of living and competition drive wages up.
Experience & qualifications: Cleaners with police checks, ABNs, and insurance often charge more—and rightly so.
Contract vs employee: Independent contractors typically charge more than employees on payroll, to cover their own super, tax, and supplies.

As one seasoned cleaner from Brisbane told me, “You’re not just paying for time—you’re paying for trust, reliability, and someone who won’t skip the skirting boards.”

Is commercial cleaning paid more than domestic?

Almost always, yes. Commercial cleaners usually earn more due to:

Larger spaces
Stricter cleaning standards (especially post-COVID)
Regular, ongoing contracts
Specific requirements like OH&S compliance and induction training

That’s why many cleaners eventually shift from homes to businesses. Schools, in particular, are a consistent employer of cleaning professionals, especially during term transitions and flu season surges. If you're curious about the value of working in institutional environments, some roles—like those in school cleaning services—offer above-award wages and extra job security compared to casual domestic gigs.

Is cleaning still underpaid and undervalued?

It depends who you ask. Cleaning has long been treated as “invisible labour”—work that people only notice when it’s not done. But COVID-19 shifted public perception. Suddenly, cleaners were on the frontline, ensuring workplaces and public areas stayed safe and virus-free.

This led to more awareness, better pay in some sectors, and even national campaigns to professionalise the industry. Still, many casual workers report pay below minimum wage—particularly in private homes or unregulated gig economy platforms.

Social proof tells us that when others start expecting higher standards—and pay accordingly—it shifts the entire playing field. That’s the power of visibility and shared expectations.

What should you pay a cleaner if you’re hiring?

If you're a household or business looking to hire, here's a quick cheat sheet:

Basic home cleaning: $30/hour is the sweet spot in most cities
End-of-lease or deep cleaning: $40–$50/hour or a flat rate per job
Commercial cleaning contracts: $35–$45/hour for experienced crews

And always check for extras—some cleaners provide their own supplies and vacuums, while others expect you to supply them.

What about under-the-table work?

Yes, it still happens. But here’s the thing: paying cash-in-hand to dodge super or tax might seem cheaper, but it often leads to inconsistent work, lack of insurance, and zero accountability. You’re also potentially leaving workers vulnerable. In an industry dominated by women, often from migrant backgrounds, underpayment is a quiet but persistent issue.

FAQ

What’s the minimum wage for cleaners in Australia?

$24.76/hour under the Cleaning Services Award, but casual rates and penalties apply.

Do cleaners get paid extra on weekends?

Yes—penalty rates often apply on weekends, public holidays, and late-night shifts.

Are school cleaning jobs well-paid?

Yes, especially if they're under government contracts. These jobs often come with better hourly rates and job security.

Final thoughts

Cleaning might not be glamorous, but it’s a backbone profession that deserves fair pay and steady respect. And like any service industry, the more you invest—in people, equipment, and reliability—the better the outcomes. For those eyeing longer-term gains, certain niches like school cleaning services are emerging as some of the most stable and rewarding paths in the field.

And really, anyone who's spent a weekend scrubbing grout knows: there's value in doing the job well—and even more in paying someone fairly to do it right.