Commercial cleaning in Australia costs between $35 and $65 per hour for most standard services in 2026, or roughly $2 to $6 per square metre depending on the type of premises, cleaning frequency and scope of work. In Melbourne, expect to pay $45 to $65 per hour for a compliant, insured cleaning company handling regular office cleaning, with specialist services such as medical or industrial cleaning running $60 to $85+ per hour.
These ranges reflect what a professional cleaning company charges a business — not what individual cleaners earn. The gap between cleaner wages and client charges covers superannuation, WorkCover insurance, public liability, cleaning supplies, equipment, management, and the company’s operating margin.
This guide breaks down current commercial cleaning rates across Australia, explains how pricing works, and gives you realistic cost estimates by office size and cleaning type so you can budget accurately and compare quotes with confidence.
Commercial Cleaning Rates at a Glance (2026)
| Service Type | Typical Hourly Rate | Per Square Metre |
|---|---|---|
| Standard office cleaning (contract) | $35 – $55/hr | $2 – $3.50/sqm |
| Standard office cleaning (one-off) | $50 – $70/hr | $3.50 – $5/sqm |
| Premium/detailed cleaning | $55 – $75/hr | $5 – $8/sqm |
| Medical/healthcare cleaning | $60 – $85/hr | $5 – $8/sqm |
| Industrial/warehouse cleaning | $50 – $75/hr | $1.50 – $4/sqm |
| End-of-lease commercial clean | $55 – $80/hr | Quoted per job |
| After-hours cleaning (Mon–Fri evenings) | $50 – $65/hr | — |
| Saturday cleaning | $60 – $80/hr | — |
| Sunday/public holiday cleaning | $75 – $100+/hr | — |
All rates exclude GST. Ongoing contract rates are typically 15–25% lower than one-off or casual bookings because the cleaning company can plan staffing and routes more efficiently.
How Much Does Commercial Cleaning Cost Per Hour?
The most common way commercial cleaning is quoted in Australia is by the hour. In 2026, hourly rates for standard commercial cleaning sit between $35 and $65, with the national average for regular office work around $45 to $55 per hour.
Where your quote falls in that range depends on several things: the time of day the cleaning happens, how complex the premises are, what the scope includes, and whether you’re signing an ongoing contract or booking a one-off service.
Why hourly rates vary — the Cleaning Services Award
Every legitimate commercial cleaning company in Australia prices its services above the minimum rates set by the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022). From 1 July 2026, the Level 1 base rate under this Award is $27.08 per hour for a permanent employee, or $33.85 per hour for a casual (which includes the 25% casual loading).
On top of that base wage, a compliant employer adds:
- Superannuation (11.5% in 2026–27)
- WorkCover insurance
- Public liability insurance (typically $10–$20 million cover)
- Cleaning supplies and equipment
- Uniforms and PPE
- Vehicle and travel costs
- Training and supervision
- Administration and management overheads
- Profit margin
When you add these together, the true employment cost of a cleaner earning the base award rate is roughly $38–$45 per hour before the company adds its margin. This is why any quote below $35 per hour from a cleaning company should raise questions about whether staff are being paid correctly, whether insurance is current, or whether the operator holds a valid labour hire licence.
After-hours, weekend and public holiday rates
Penalty rates under the Cleaning Services Award significantly increase labour costs outside standard weekday hours.
| Time Period | Award Multiplier (Level 1) | Approx. Employer Cost | Typical Client Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday (day) | 1× ($27.08/hr base) | ~$38–$45/hr | $35 – $55/hr |
| Monday–Friday (evening/night) | 1× + shift allowances | ~$42–$50/hr | $50 – $65/hr |
| Saturday | 1.5× ($40.62/hr base) | ~$55–$62/hr | $60 – $80/hr |
| Sunday | 2× ($54.16/hr base) | ~$72–$80/hr | $75 – $100/hr |
| Public holiday | 2.5× ($67.70/hr base) | ~$88–$98/hr | $90 – $115/hr |
These numbers explain why after-hours and weekend cleaning costs noticeably more. If your business needs cleaning outside weekday daytime hours, factor these premiums into your budget from the start.
Commercial Cleaning Cost Per Square Metre
For larger premises or ongoing contracts, many cleaning companies quote per square metre rather than per hour. This gives businesses a predictable monthly cost based on floor area.
| Cleaning Level | Rate Per Square Metre |
|---|---|
| Standard office cleaning | $2 – $3.50/sqm |
| Premium/detailed cleaning | $4 – $6/sqm |
| Deep cleaning (one-off) | $5 – $8/sqm |
| Industrial/warehouse | $1.50 – $3/sqm |
| Medical/healthcare | $5 – $8/sqm |
Per-square-metre rates work best for open-plan offices and warehouses where the floor area is the main driver of cleaning time. They work less well for premises with lots of bathrooms, kitchens or specialist areas, because those spaces take disproportionately longer to clean per square metre than an open office floor.
For businesses searching in square feet: 1 square metre = approximately 10.76 square feet. A rate of $3/sqm is roughly equivalent to $0.28 per square foot.
Office Cleaning Costs — What to Expect
Office cleaning is the most common type of commercial cleaning in Australia, and the pricing is relatively standardised. Here’s what different-sized offices typically pay in 2026.
Small office (under 100 sqm)
A small professional office — a consultancy, accounting firm, or startup suite — with one bathroom and a kitchenette typically needs 1 to 1.5 hours of cleaning per visit.
Cleaned twice a week: roughly $90–$180 per week, or $390–$780 per month.
Cleaned three times a week: roughly $135–$270 per week, or $585–$1,170 per month.
Most cleaning companies have a minimum call-out fee of $60–$90 for any visit, regardless of how small the space is, because travel and setup time are the same whether the job takes 30 minutes or three hours.
Medium office (100–500 sqm)
This is the most common office size for Melbourne SMEs. A medium office typically needs 2 to 4 hours of cleaning per visit depending on the layout and number of wet areas.
Cleaned three times a week: roughly $300–$700 per week, or $1,300–$3,000 per month.
Cleaned five times a week: roughly $450–$1,200 per week, or $1,950–$5,200 per month.
A 300 sqm office in Melbourne CBD cleaned three evenings per week at $55/hr, requiring approximately 2.5 hours per visit, would cost around $412 per week or $1,787 per month.
Large office (500+ sqm)
Larger offices and multi-level commercial premises usually require dedicated cleaning teams and may need daily service. Costs depend heavily on the number of floors, bathrooms, kitchens, and any specialist areas.
Cleaned five times a week: typically $900–$2,500+ per week, or $3,900–$10,800+ per month.
At this scale, most businesses move to fixed monthly contracts rather than hourly billing.
Monthly Commercial Cleaning Costs by Business Size
This table gives a practical budgeting range for Australian businesses in 2026.
| Business Size | Floor Area | Cleaning Frequency | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office | Under 100 sqm | 2–3 times/week | $400 – $900 |
| Medium office | 100–500 sqm | 3–5 times/week | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Large office | 500–1,000 sqm | 5 times/week | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Multi-level commercial | 1,000+ sqm | Daily | $5,000 – $12,000+ |
| Small retail shop | Under 100 sqm | Daily | $800 – $1,500 |
| Medical practice | 100–300 sqm | Daily | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Warehouse | 500–2,000 sqm | Weekly | $500 – $2,000 |
These are indicative ranges. Your actual cost depends on scope, access requirements, and how many bathrooms and kitchens the space has. The most accurate way to budget is to get a site-specific quote.
Contract pricing vs one-off cleaning
Ongoing contracts are almost always cheaper per hour than one-off jobs. A cleaning company can plan more efficiently when it knows it has guaranteed regular work at the same location, and the space stays cleaner between visits so each clean takes less time.
Typically, contract rates are 15–25% lower than one-off rates. A one-off deep clean of a 200 sqm office might cost $400–$900, while the same space on a three-times-weekly contract might cost $250–$400 per week.
How Commercial Cleaners Calculate a Quote
Understanding how a commercial cleaning company builds its price helps you evaluate whether a quote is realistic.
The basic calculation works like this:
- Estimate the time required. A cleaner can typically cover 200–400 square metres per hour for a standard clean, depending on the layout and number of wet areas. Open-plan spaces are faster; lots of bathrooms, kitchens and partitioned rooms are slower.
- Determine the staffing. Larger sites may need multiple cleaners working simultaneously to finish within the available time window.
- Apply the hourly rate. This includes the cleaner’s wage, super, insurance, supplies, overheads and margin.
- Multiply by frequency. Weekly, three-times-weekly, or daily — more frequent cleaning usually means a lower per-visit cost because the premises stay cleaner between visits.
- Add any specialist services. Carpet cleaning, window washing, high-dusting, and sanitisation are usually quoted separately or added to a periodic deep-clean schedule.
Quick estimation formula
For a rough annual estimate of regular office cleaning costs:
(Floor area in sqm ÷ 300) × hourly rate × visits per week × 52 = approximate annual cost
For example, a 600 sqm office at $50/hr, cleaned 3 times per week:
(600 ÷ 300) × $50 × 3 × 52 = $31,200 per year, or about $600 per week.
This is an estimate only. The 300 sqm/hr productivity figure assumes a standard office with a moderate number of wet areas. A premises with six bathrooms and two kitchens will take longer per square metre than a simple open-plan floor.
What to have ready when requesting a quote
The more detail you provide upfront, the more accurate the initial quote will be. Have this information ready:
- Total floor area in square metres
- Number of floors or levels
- Number of bathrooms and kitchens/breakrooms
- Your preferred cleaning frequency (daily, 3×/week, weekly, etc.)
- Whether cleaning needs to happen during business hours or after hours
- Any specialist areas (server rooms, labs, food preparation areas)
- Whether you need the cleaning company to supply all products and equipment
- Any existing cleaning issues you want addressed
Most professional cleaning companies will want to inspect the site before confirming a final price. A company that quotes without ever seeing the space is likely to either underquote (leading to service problems later) or overquote.
What Affects Commercial Cleaning Prices?
Several factors determine where your cleaning cost falls within the ranges above.
Size and layout of the space
Larger spaces take more time to clean, which increases the total cost. But the cost per square metre often decreases as the space gets bigger, because a larger proportion of the floor area is open and quick to clean. A 50 sqm office might cost $3.50/sqm while a 1,000 sqm open-plan floor might cost $1.80/sqm.
Layout matters as much as total area. A 200 sqm office divided into 15 small rooms takes significantly longer to clean than a 200 sqm open-plan space.
Number and type of wet areas
Bathrooms and kitchens are the most time-consuming areas to clean in any commercial premises. Each bathroom adds roughly 15–25 minutes to a standard clean, and a full kitchen or breakroom adds 10–20 minutes.
A 300 sqm office with two bathrooms and a kitchenette might take 2 hours to clean. The same floor area with six bathrooms and two kitchens could take 3.5 hours.
Cleaning frequency
More frequent cleaning tends to reduce the per-visit cost because the space doesn’t accumulate as much dirt between cleans. A weekly clean may cost $180 per visit, while a daily clean of the same space might cost $100–$120 per visit because each session is quicker.
Type of premises
Different industries have different cleaning requirements:
- A standard office needs vacuuming, mopping, surface wiping, bathroom cleaning and bin emptying.
- A medical practice needs TGA-approved disinfectants, colour-coded cleaning systems, and infection control protocols.
- A restaurant needs commercial kitchen degreasing, exhaust cleaning, and food-safe sanitisation.
- A warehouse needs industrial floor scrubbing, dust suppression, and amenities cleaning.
Specialist requirements increase both time and supply costs.
Access hours
Daytime cleaning (Monday–Friday, 6am–6pm) is the cheapest option because cleaners are paid at the base award rate. Evening cleaning attracts shift allowances, Saturday cleaning is paid at 1.5× the base rate, and Sunday work at 2× the base rate.
If your business can accommodate daytime cleaning — even partially — it can meaningfully reduce your cleaning costs.
Location
Cleaning rates vary across Australian cities. Melbourne and Sydney tend to sit at the higher end of national ranges due to higher operating costs, parking expenses (particularly in the CBD), and the additional time cleaners spend accessing multi-level buildings.
Regional areas may have lower hourly rates but higher travel charges if cleaners need to cover significant distances.
Level of cleaning required
A routine maintenance clean is different from a deep clean. Regular cleaning covers daily or weekly tasks — vacuuming, mopping, surface wiping, bathroom sanitisation, and bin emptying. Deep cleaning goes further: steam-cleaning carpets, scrubbing grout, degreasing kitchen surfaces, high-dusting ceiling vents, and cleaning behind and under furniture and appliances.
Deep cleaning costs more per visit but is usually scheduled less frequently — quarterly, biannually, or as a one-off.
Cleaning supplies and equipment
Most professional cleaning companies supply their own products and equipment, and this cost is built into their hourly rate. If your premises require specialist products — such as TGA-registered disinfectants, anti-static floor treatments, or eco-certified supplies — this may add to the cost.
Businesses with particular product requirements (green cleaning, fragrance-free, specific brand preferences) should discuss these upfront so the quote reflects the actual supply costs.
What’s Included in a Standard Commercial Clean — and What Usually Costs Extra?
One of the most common reasons cleaning quotes differ is that they’re not quoting the same scope. Here’s what a standard commercial clean typically includes, and what’s usually priced as an additional service.
| Usually Included in Standard Clean | Usually Quoted as an Extra |
|---|---|
| Vacuuming all carpeted areas | Carpet steam cleaning / deep extraction |
| Mopping hard floors | Floor stripping, sealing or polishing |
| Emptying all bins and replacing liners | External bin area cleaning |
| Wiping desks, benches and surfaces | Upholstery or fabric cleaning |
| Cleaning and sanitising bathrooms | Descaling/deep tile and grout cleaning |
| Cleaning kitchen/breakroom surfaces | Oven, fridge interior, dishwasher cleaning |
| Spot-cleaning glass and mirrors | Full internal/external window cleaning |
| Dusting accessible surfaces | High dusting (ceiling fans, vents, light fittings) |
| Disinfecting high-touch points | Electrostatic or fogging disinfection |
| Replenishing soap, paper towel, toilet paper (if supplied) | Supply of consumables (some companies include, some don’t) |
Always ask what’s included and what’s excluded before comparing quotes. A quote that looks cheaper may simply be covering less scope.
Cleaning Costs by Industry
Different types of commercial premises have different cleaning requirements and cost profiles.
Office cleaning
Standard office cleaning is the most common and typically the most affordable type of commercial cleaning. Regular contract cleaning for offices runs $35–$55 per hour or $2–$3.50 per square metre. Most offices need cleaning 2–5 times per week depending on staff numbers and foot traffic.
For detailed Melbourne office cleaning costs, see our office cleaning services page.
Medical and healthcare cleaning
Medical practices, dental surgeries, allied health clinics and aged care facilities require cleaning that meets strict infection control standards. This includes TGA-approved disinfectants, colour-coded cleaning systems, and staff trained in clinical waste handling. Rates typically run $60–$85 per hour.
ACS provides dedicated medical and healthcare cleaning services with appropriately trained teams.
Retail and hospitality
Retail spaces need regular floor maintenance, fitting room cleaning, and frequent restroom servicing during trading hours. Hospitality venues add commercial kitchen degreasing and food safety compliance requirements. Expect $45–$75 per hour for retail, and $50–$80 per hour for restaurants and cafes with commercial kitchens.
See our retail cleaning and restaurant cleaning pages for more detail.
Industrial and warehouse cleaning
Warehouses and industrial facilities need heavy-duty floor cleaning, dust suppression, and amenities servicing. The floor area is usually large but cleaning intensity per square metre is lower than an office, so per-sqm rates tend to be lower ($1.50–$3/sqm) even though the total cost can be substantial.
ACS provides warehouse cleaning and industrial cleaning across Melbourne.
Childcare and schools
Childcare centres and schools require daily cleaning with a focus on hygiene and safety. Cleaning must meet National Quality Framework standards for childcare and Department of Education requirements for schools. Rates typically sit in the $50–$70 per hour range.
See our childcare cleaning and school cleaning services.
Strata and common area cleaning
Strata cleaning covers hallways, lobbies, lifts, stairwells, car parks and shared amenities in multi-tenancy buildings. Frequency depends on foot traffic — from twice weekly for small apartment buildings to daily for large commercial strata. Costs vary widely based on the number of levels and common areas.
See our strata cleaning services for Melbourne.
Gym cleaning
Gyms and fitness centres need daily cleaning with emphasis on equipment sanitisation, change room hygiene, and floor care. The combination of sweat, high foot traffic, and humid environments makes gym cleaning more intensive than standard office work. Expect $50–$70 per hour.
See our gym cleaning services.
How to Compare Commercial Cleaning Quotes
Getting multiple quotes is standard practice, but comparing them properly requires more than looking at the hourly rate.
Check the scope, not just the price
Two quotes for the same building can differ by 40% or more, and the reason is almost always scope. One company might include carpet vacuuming, window spot-cleaning and consumables supply. Another might quote for vacuuming and mopping only, with everything else as extras.
Before comparing, make sure each quote covers the same list of tasks, the same frequency, and the same access hours.
Why the cheapest hourly rate doesn’t always mean the lowest total cost
A company quoting $35 per hour might send slower or less experienced cleaners, or understaff the job. If it takes them 4 hours to do what a $50/hr company does in 2.5 hours, the total cost is $140 vs $125 — the more expensive company is actually cheaper.
Productivity and consistency matter as much as the hourly rate.
Red flags in commercial cleaning quotes
Be cautious if:
- The hourly rate is below $35. It’s very difficult to pay cleaners the award rate, cover insurance and super, and run a compliant business at this price point.
- The company won’t provide a certificate of insurance or WorkCover details.
- In Victoria, the company doesn’t hold a Labour Hire Licence. You can check the Labour Hire Authority’s public register. Penalties for engaging an unlicensed provider can exceed $600,000 for corporations.
- The quote is given without seeing the premises. No inspection means the company is guessing, and the final cost will likely change.
- The company can’t tell you who will be cleaning your space. Subcontractor-heavy operations tend to deliver inconsistent results.
What to look for in a cleaning company
- Employees paid at or above award rates (not subcontractors on undisclosed arrangements)
- Public liability insurance ($10–$20 million)
- Current WorkCover/workers’ compensation coverage
- Valid Labour Hire Licence (in Victoria)
- Consistent cleaning teams assigned to your premises
- Clear scope of works document
- Regular quality checks or inspections
- Industry certifications such as ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (workplace health and safety)
Commercial Cleaning Industry in Australia
The commercial cleaning sector is one of Australia’s largest service industries. According to IBISWorld, the industry reached a market size of approximately $20 billion in 2025–2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate of around 5.9% over the five years to 2025.
The industry employs over 200,000 people across more than 45,000 businesses, making it highly fragmented. Most commercial cleaning companies are small operations, with the average business employing fewer than five people.
This fragmentation means quality, compliance and pricing vary enormously between providers. For businesses hiring a cleaning company, the practical implication is that due diligence — checking licences, insurance, and employment practices — is not optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does commercial cleaning cost in Australia?
How much does commercial cleaning cost in Melbourne?
What is the average commercial cleaning rate per hour?
How much does office cleaning cost per square metre?
What is included in a commercial cleaning quote?
Why do commercial cleaning quotes vary so much?
Is commercial cleaning cheaper with a contract?
What is the Cleaning Services Award rate?
Do commercial cleaning prices include GST?
How much does after-hours cleaning cost?
Getting a Commercial Cleaning Quote
If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning quote in Melbourne, ACS Commercial Cleaning provides free, no-obligation site inspections across all Melbourne suburbs. Our pricing is transparent — we publish monthly contract rates on our service pages so you can see whether our services fit your budget before you reach out.
ACS is a Melbourne-based, Australian-owned commercial cleaning company established in 2016. We hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications, employ all cleaners directly (no subcontracting), and assign the same cleaning team to your premises on every visit.
To discuss your cleaning requirements or book a free site inspection, contact us at 03 9114 9778 or request a quote online.
