Decoding Office Cleaning Services Cost in Australia

Trying to sort out a budget for your office cleaning can feel like you're taking a wild guess in the dark. If you're hunting for a straight answer, you can generally expect to pay somewhere between $35 and $72 per hour for a standard office clean in Australia. But honestly, that figure is just the start of the story.

What Will My Office Cleaning Really Cost?

It’s the first question on every facilities manager's mind, right? You know you need a clean, professional space for your team and clients, but you've also got a budget you need to stick to. Asking about the cost is a bit like asking, "How much is a car?" Well… it depends. Are we talking about a little runabout or a big family SUV with all the bells and whistles?

There's no single price tag that fits every business, and that’s a good thing. It means you don’t have to pay for services you don’t need. A small startup in a regional town is going to have a very different cleaning bill compared to a huge corporate firm in the middle of the Sydney CBD. It just makes sense.

This chart gives you a quick visual on the two most common ways cleaners charge.

As you can see, both hourly and per-square-metre rates give you different ways to measure value. We'll get into that a bit more later on.

Finding a Realistic Starting Point

To give you a more concrete idea, let's look at some numbers. The average cost of office cleaning services changes quite a bit across the major Australian cities. Generally, you’ll find hourly rates for a standard office clean sit somewhere between $35 and $72 AUD.

A business in the Sydney CBD, for example, can expect some of the higher rates. You're looking at hourly fees from $40 to $70 AUD. This often translates to something between $3.50 and $7.50 AUD per square metre.

To get a clearer picture of what you might be up for, it helps to have a quick reference.

Quick Guide to Average Office Cleaning Costs in Australia

This table pulls together the typical pricing models and their estimated cost ranges to give you a first look at potential expenses.

Just keep in mind these are just averages. The final figure will always depend on the specifics of your workspace and the level of service you're after.

This section is all about giving you a realistic ballpark figure from the get go. We want you to feel confident and informed… not like you're walking into this blind.

Think of your first quote not as a final price, but as the beginning of a conversation. It's a chance to see what’s possible and to start aligning the service with what your workspace truly needs.

The goal is to understand the core factors so you can find that perfect spot between a sparkling office and a happy accountant. This includes the obvious stuff, like the size of your space, but also the less obvious things, like the types of surfaces you have. For instance, loads of glass partitions will need more specialised attention, a topic we cover in our guide to window cleaning service cost.

The Three Key Factors That Shape Your Cleaning Bill

So, why do quotes for office cleaning services seem to be all over the place? One company gives you one price, and another comes in with something completely different.

It’s not as mysterious as it looks. It really just boils down to three main things: the size of your space, how often you need it cleaned, and exactly what jobs you need them to do.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? But the details are where it gets interesting. A 1,000-square-metre office isn't just double the price of a 500-square-metre one, especially if it has more bathrooms or a bigger kitchen that gets a lot of traffic. Let's break it down.

Your Office Size and Layout

The first and most obvious factor is just how big your office is. A larger floor plan naturally takes more time and resources to clean. Simple.

But it’s not just about the square metres. The layout is just as important. Think of it like this… painting one big, empty wall is quick and easy. But painting a wall with lots of windows, doors, and light switches takes much longer and requires way more care.

Your office is the same.

• Open-plan spaces are generally quicker to vacuum and mop.
• Lots of individual offices mean more corners, doorways, and surfaces to manage.
• High-use areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and reception areas need more intensive work than a quiet meeting room that's used once a week.

A quote for a 500-square-metre open-plan office will look very different from a quote for a 500-square-metre medical clinic with multiple treatment rooms and super strict hygiene needs. It's all about the complexity, not just the space.

The Frequency of Your Clean

How often you need a cleaner is another huge piece of the puzzle. It all comes down to foot traffic and the daily wear and tear your space gets.

A busy sales office with people constantly coming and going is a completely different beast to a quiet accounting firm. More people means more dirt tracked in, more bins to empty, and more surfaces to sanitise. You get the idea.

A daily clean keeps on top of the constant mess of a high-traffic environment, whereas a weekly clean is more of a reset for a quieter space. It’s about matching the service to the rhythm of your business.

For instance, a standard office with 20 employees might be perfectly fine with a clean three times a week. But a customer-facing showroom will probably need a daily touch-up to always look its best. It's about finding that sweet spot where your office stays consistently clean without over-servicing it.

The Scope of Your Cleaning Checklist

Finally, what do you actually need done? This is where you can really see the office cleaning services cost shift. A basic clean is very different to a deep clean.

A standard clean usually covers the essentials:

• Emptying all the bins
• Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
• Wiping down desks and common surfaces
• Cleaning and sanitising the bathrooms and kitchen

But what about the other things? The tasks that make an office feel truly spotless, not just 'not dirty'. These are often considered add-ons and will definitely affect your final price.

This is where you need to think about your ‘must-haves’ versus your ‘nice-to-haves’. Do you need the windows cleaned monthly? Or is quarterly enough? Does the inside of the fridge need a regular wipe-down? These specifics are what tailor the service to your office.

In Australia, these factors mean typical rates can fall between $40 and $75 per hour. For a small office under 100 square metres, that might look like $120 to $250 per visit, while a much larger space could be closer to $650. Get more insights into commercial cleaning expenses and see how these details add up.

Decoding the Different Cleaning Pricing Models

When you start gathering quotes for office cleaning, it can feel like everyone is speaking a different language. One company quotes you per hour, another per square metre, and a third gives you a simple flat fee for the month. Trying to compare them feels like comparing apples to oranges.

So, let's play translator for a moment. Understanding how these models work is the key to figuring out which quote offers the best value for your business, not just the lowest number on the page. Each one has its own logic, and the best fit really depends on the unique rhythm and layout of your workspace.

The Per Hour Rate

On the surface, this is the most straightforward model. You pay for the time the cleaners are physically on-site, which in Australia typically ranges from $35 to $72 per hour. Simple enough, right?

The big question here is efficiency. How do you know you're getting good value for every hour you pay for? A professional, experienced team will work methodically and get far more done in an hour than a less organised one.

This model can be a great fit for offices with needs that change week to week. Maybe you need extra attention in the boardroom after a big client meeting, but the following week is quiet. That flexibility is a definite plus.

A per-hour rate is all about trust. You're trusting the cleaning company to work efficiently and effectively during the time they're billing you for. Checking references becomes really important here.

The Per Square Metre Rate

This pricing model is common for larger, more predictable spaces. The cleaning company calculates a price based on the total floor area of your office.

It’s a bit like buying paint for a room… you know how much you’ll need based on the size of the walls. This approach is fantastic for large, open-plan offices where the work is consistent and easy to measure.

However, it can get tricky for offices with complex layouts. Think about a medical clinic with lots of small treatment rooms or a law firm with dozens of individual offices. These spaces require more detailed, fiddly work that isn't always captured by a simple floor measurement.

The key benefit here is predictability. You know exactly what the cost is based on a fixed dimension of your office, making it a breeze to budget for.

The Flat Fee Model

Finally, there’s the flat fee. This is a set price you pay each week or month for a clearly agreed-upon list of services. For budgeting, it’s wonderfully simple. You get one invoice for the same amount every time. No surprises.

This model is a favourite for businesses that want total predictability and are looking to build a long-term partnership with their cleaning provider. It’s built on a crystal-clear understanding of your needs from day one.

The most important thing with a flat fee is to know exactly what’s included. This is where a detailed checklist becomes your best friend. A good quote will specify everything, from emptying the bins to wiping down the kitchen microwave. If you're not sure what to ask for, our commercial cleaning checklist is a great starting point for that conversation.

So, Which Model is Right for You?

Let's quickly compare them side-by-side to help you decide.

Ultimately, there’s no single "best" model. The right choice depends entirely on your office's specific character. By understanding these different approaches, you can confidently read any quote and know exactly what you're being offered, ensuring the office cleaning services cost you agree to truly reflects the value you receive.

Understanding What You’re Actually Paying For

When you get a cleaning quote, it's easy to just focus on the final number. But what’s really inside that figure?

Think of it like ordering a pizza. A standard margarita is one price, but as soon as you start adding extra toppings, the cost changes. Office cleaning is exactly the same.

A "standard clean" is your margarita pizza. It reliably covers the essentials that keep your office ticking over day to day. We’re talking about emptying the bins, vacuuming floors, cleaning the bathrooms, and giving the kitchen a quick wipe-down. It keeps the space functional and tidy.

But what about the other stuff? The little details that make an office feel truly clean, not just ‘not dirty’. That’s where the extra toppings come in.

The Base Clean: Your Foundation

Every good cleaning plan starts with a solid foundation. This is the non-negotiable stuff… the tasks that happen every single visit to maintain a baseline of hygiene and professionalism.

You should expect any standard service to cover these basics without question:

• Rubbish Removal: Emptying all office and kitchen bins.
• Floor Care: Vacuuming all carpeted areas and mopping all hard floors.
• Surface Wiping: Wiping down desks, tables, and other accessible surfaces.
• Amenity Cleaning: Cleaning and sanitising toilets, sinks, and kitchen benches.

These tasks form the core of your service. They’re the predictable, routine jobs that stop mess from building up. But this is just the starting point.

The goal of a base clean is maintenance. It stops things from getting out of hand. But a truly pristine and healthy workspace often needs a bit more attention to detail.

Customising Your Clean With Add-Ons

This is where you can really tailor the service to your office's specific needs. Add-on services are the tasks that don’t need to be done every visit but make a huge difference to the overall feel and hygiene of your space. They're also the biggest reason why two quotes can look so different.

Maybe you only need a deep carpet clean twice a year. Or perhaps the fingerprints on the glass meeting room walls drive you mad, and you want them polished weekly. Understanding the difference between a standard task and an add-on is key to getting a quote that matches both your expectations and your budget.

For instance, ancillary services like deep carpet cleaning or professional window washing can add roughly AUD 50 to AUD 200 per hour depending on the job's scope. This is why a small office might pay around AUD 200 to AUD 400 monthly for a light, standard clean, while a larger business with specialised requirements could see monthly costs climb beyond AUD 2,000.

To make it clearer, here’s a breakdown of what’s typically included versus what usually costs extra.

Standard vs. Add-On Cleaning Services

Getting clear on what is standard versus what is extra is crucial. It helps you build a service that makes sense for your business and ensures there are no surprises when the invoice arrives.

Having this all documented is one of the main benefits of setting up formal commercial cleaning contracts, as it leaves no room for confusion.

How to Get Great Value Without Sacrificing Quality

You’ve got a handle on the costs, the pricing models, and the different services available. Now for the most important part… how do you make sure you’re getting a great deal without hiring a team that cuts corners?

It’s tempting to just pick the cheapest quote and call it a day. We all love a bargain. But when it comes to the place you and your team spend hours in every day, the lowest price often leads to… well, disappointment.

Finding great value isn't about saving every last dollar. It's about investing wisely to create an environment that supports your business. A clean, healthy office is a silent partner in your success—it boosts morale, improves focus, and makes a killer first impression on clients.

It's about finding that sweet spot between price and performance. You want a workspace that feels amazing without an office cleaning services cost that breaks the bank.

Look Beyond the Bottom Line

The first step is to shift your thinking from "cost" to "value". A slightly more expensive service that is reliable, thorough, and professional is infinitely more valuable than a cheap one that misses spots or, worse, doesn't show up at all.

Think about the real cost of a poor cleaning service. It’s not just the money you've paid. It's the time you spend managing complaints, the distraction of a messy kitchen, and the subtle message it sends to your team that their environment isn't a priority.

So, how do you spot the difference between a bargain and a liability?

• Get multiple, detailed quotes: Don't just look at the final number. A professional quote will break down the scope of work, listing exactly what tasks will be performed. This transparency is a huge green flag.
• Check for insurance and references: This is non-negotiable. A reputable company will have public liability insurance and be happy to provide references from other businesses like yours. It protects you and shows they’re a legitimate operation.
• Ask about their team: Are the cleaners employees or subcontractors? Are they trained and police-checked? A professional company invests in its people, and that translates directly to the quality of their work.

Negotiate a Smart Partnership

A good cleaning agreement isn't a rigid document; it's the foundation of a partnership. And like any good partnership, there should be room for a little give and take. You can often find ways to get more value without simply asking for a discount.

For example, think about your business's rhythm. Are there quieter periods, like school holidays, when you could scale back the cleaning frequency from three times a week to two? This is a simple adjustment that can save you money without impacting the overall cleanliness of your office during busy times.

Another great strategy is bundling services. If you know you'll need your carpets steam-cleaned twice a year and your windows washed quarterly, ask if they can package it all together. Companies often offer better rates for ongoing, consolidated work because it gives them predictable business.

A great cleaning provider doesn't just want your business; they want to keep it. They should be willing to work with you to create a plan that fits your budget and meets your needs, adapting as your business evolves.

Ultimately, the best value comes from a service that you don't have to think about. You simply walk into a clean, fresh office every morning, ready to focus on what you do best. That peace of mind is worth every cent.

Your Office Cleaning Cost Questions Answered

We get it. When you’re trying to lock down the budget for cleaning, a lot of questions pop up. It’s completely normal. You're not just buying a service; you're making an investment in the health, productivity, and overall vibe of your workspace.

So, we've pulled together a few of the most common questions we hear about the whole office cleaning services cost puzzle. Our goal is to give you some quick, no-nonsense answers right here.

Is It Cheaper to Hire an Individual Cleaner or a Cleaning Company?

This is a great question, and the honest answer is… it depends on what you value most. At first glance, hiring an individual cleaner often looks cheaper on an hourly basis, and it’s easy to see the appeal.

But a professional cleaning company bundles in all the things you might not think about until you desperately need them. Think of it like buying a car versus leasing one. With a lease, the maintenance and roadside assistance are all part of the deal. A cleaning company offers a similar all-in-one package.

This includes things like:

• Insurance: What happens if something gets broken or someone slips and injures themselves on your property? A professional company carries public liability insurance, which protects your business from that risk. An individual cleaner might not.
• Superannuation and Payroll: All the employment obligations for the cleaning staff are handled by the company, so you don't have to navigate that administrative headache.
• Reliability: If your regular cleaner is sick or goes on holiday, a company has a whole team ready to send a replacement. You’ll never be left in the lurch before a big client meeting.
• Equipment and Supplies: Professional-grade equipment and effective, industry-approved cleaning products are all part of the service. These can be a significant hidden cost if you have to supply them yourself.

So, while the hourly rate for an individual might seem lower, the reliability, liability coverage, and complete peace of mind a company offers often delivers far better value for a business in the long run.

How Often Should I Have My Office Professionally Cleaned?

There’s no magic number here, because the answer is tied directly to the unique rhythm of your office. It's a bit like watering a plant. A big, leafy fern in a sunny window needs water far more often than a small succulent tucked away in the shade.

Your office is the same. The best way to figure it out is to look at your foot traffic and the type of work you do.

A standard office with about 10-20 employees, where the work is mostly desk-based, usually finds a thorough clean two or three times a week is the sweet spot. It keeps everything fresh without being over the top.

On the other hand, a high-traffic space like a medical clinic, a busy retail store, or a law firm with clients coming and going all day will likely need daily cleaning. This is non-negotiable for maintaining hygiene standards and a consistently professional image.

Then you have the other end of the spectrum. A very small, quiet office with just a handful of staff might only need a really good, comprehensive service once a week to stay on top of things.

Our advice? Start with what you think you need. Give it a month or two. Then, have a chat with your cleaning provider about scaling the service up or down. A good partner will be more than happy to adjust the plan to fit what’s actually happening in your space.

Are Eco-Friendly Cleaning Services More Expensive?

This is a really common concern, and it’s a valid one based on how things used to be. In the past, yes, there was often a "green premium" because the products were harder to source and were considered a specialty item. But the industry has changed a lot.

These days, the cost difference is often tiny, and in many cases, there's no difference at all. It’s a bit like buying organic fruit at the supermarket. A decade ago, it was a niche product with a hefty price tag. Now, it's everywhere and much more competitively priced.

Many professional cleaning companies have actually made green cleaning their standard practice. Why? Because the products are just as effective, they're much better for the health of your team (and the cleaners themselves), and they're better for the environment. It's a win-win-win.

When you're getting quotes, it's definitely worth asking about their approach to sustainability. A reputable company will be totally upfront about the products they use. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that going green doesn't cost you any extra green.

What Hidden Costs Should I Watch Out For in a Cleaning Quote?

This is such an important question to ask. A quote that seems too good to be true often is. The devil, as they say, is always in the details.

The first thing to look for is GST. Is it included in the final price? That 10% can be an unwelcome surprise if it's not clearly stated from the beginning.

Next, find out if the cost of cleaning supplies and equipment is built into the quote or if it's an extra charge that will pop up on your invoice. A professional service should almost always include this, but it's absolutely crucial to confirm.

Also, be sure to ask about any special services and their limits. For instance, a quote might cover standard rubbish removal from office bins, but if your business produces special waste or has complex recycling needs, that could easily be an additional charge.

The single best way to avoid surprises is to ask for a highly detailed scope of work. It should be a clear checklist that lists every single task included in the price. That way, you know exactly what you're paying for, and they know exactly what you expect.

This level of clarity is the hallmark of a professional partnership. It ensures that the office cleaning services cost you agree to is the price you actually pay, with no nasty shocks down the line. It’s all about transparency and building trust from day one.

Ready to get a clear, transparent quote that’s built around your actual needs? At That Cleaning Crew, we believe in straightforward pricing and exceptional service. Let us show you the difference a truly professional team can make. Get your free on-site quote today!