How Much Do House Cleaners Cost?

Hiring a house cleaner in Australia can be a time-saving and stress-reducing decision, especially for busy households, families, or working professionals. Whether you need regular cleaning, a one-off deep clean, or a bond clean at the end of a lease, it is essential to understand how pricing works, what factors affect house cleaning rates per hour, and how to find the best value for your needs.

This cost guide will walk you through house cleaning prices in Australia, pricing models, types of cleaning services, and how to estimate costs based on your unique requirements.

House Cleaning Rates Per Hour in Australia

The average hourly rate for house cleaning in Australia generally ranges from $30 to $60 per hour, depending on factors like location, the cleaner's experience, and the complexity of the cleaning tasks. Accurately estimating cleaning costs requires considering the size of the home and its current condition.

Most house cleaners across Australia earn around $28.35 per hour, but homeowners can expect to pay slightly more due to business overheads and service mark-ups. For example, cleaning rates per hour in Sydney may sit at the higher end of the range compared to smaller towns or regional areas. Understanding taxes, such as payroll tax and GST, is necessary when estimating cleaning costs to ensure compliance with regulations.

Standard house cleaning services typically include:

• Dusting and wiping surfaces
• Vacuuming and mopping floors
• Cleaning bathrooms and kitchens
• Emptying bins
• Tidying common areas

These tasks fall under regular cleaning, ideal for weekly or fortnightly services. The average house cleaning price for a one-bedroom apartment ranges from $60 to $90, taking around one to two hours. A three-bedroom house may cost $120 to $250, usually taking 3 to 4.5 hours depending on the condition of the home.

Pricing Models: Hourly Rate vs Flat Rate

Most cleaning companies offer two pricing options: hourly rate service or a flat rate service.

• Hourly rate services offer flexibility and are suitable for partial cleaning, specific rooms, or clients who want to set a cleaning time limit.
• Flat rate services are ideal for whole house cleans, deep cleaning, and bond cleaning, where the cleaner stays until the job is done. Flat rate services provide comprehensive cleaning without a set time limit.

For example, an end of lease cleaning job may be charged as a flat rate of $250 to $550 depending on home size, while a cleaning team doing regular weekly maintenance may offer an hourly rate of $35 to $45 per cleaner.

Types of Cleaning Services and Their Costs

Understanding the cleaning requirements for your home helps in selecting the right service and managing expectations.

1. Regular Cleaning

Most house cleaners provide standard cleaning services which include general upkeep of the home. Weekly or fortnightly cleaning services usually offer a discounted rate compared to one-off jobs.

2. Deep Cleaning

This includes more intensive cleaning tasks such as:

• Scrubbing grout and tile
• Washing walls
• Cleaning behind appliances
• Removing built-up soap scum or limescale. Deep cleaning services often take longer and may require specialized skills and equipment compared to regular cleaning.
• Scrubbing grout and tile
• Washing walls
• Cleaning behind appliances
• Removing built-up soap scum or limescale

Deep cleaning costs range from $70 to $400 or more, depending on the amount of extra time and effort required. Homes that have not been professionally cleaned in a while, or those with pets, may fall into this category.

3. End of Lease Cleaning / Bond Cleaning

Also known as vacate cleaning, this service is essential when renting. A lease cleaning price list often includes:

• Oven cleaning
• Window cleaning
• Carpet steam cleaning
• Wall and ceiling washing
• Outdoor sweeping or gutter cleaning. Specialized cleaning tasks such as oven cleaning and window cleaning may involve separate fees from standard cleaning services.
• Oven cleaning
• Window cleaning
• Carpet steam cleaning
• Wall and ceiling washing
• Outdoor sweeping or gutter cleaning

Bond cleaning services are more thorough and often priced higher due to the work involved and the strict standards of real estate agents.

4. Specialty Cleaning Services

These include:

• Oven cleaning – $70 to $150
• Ceiling fans and light fittings – $10 to $20 each
• Gutter cleaning – typically charged by linear metre
• Spring clean – a once-off intensive clean of the entire home

Additional costs may apply for large homes, extra services, or for cleaning that requires specialised chemicals and equipment. Additional services, like deep cleaning or oven cleaning, may incur extra fees, which increase the total cleaning cost.

Estimating House Cleaning Costs

To find the most accurate cleaning prices, consider these key factors:

1. Size of the Home

• A 2-bedroom apartment: 2–3 hours, approx. $90 to $140
• A 3-bedroom house: 4–5 hours, approx. $140 to $250
• A 4-bedroom house: 5+ hours, approx. $220 to $400

2. Condition of the Home

Dirty or cluttered homes require more time. If your home needs extra TLC, it may be classified as a deep clean.

3. Type of Cleaning

Choosing between a flat rate and hourly rate will affect overall cost. Hourly works well for specific areas, while flat rate ensures full coverage.

4. Frequency of Service

Regular clients often receive a discounted rate or priority bookings compared to one-off clients.

5. Location

Cleaning rates per hour in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane can vary. Metro areas often come with higher costs due to travel, parking, and operational overheads.

What Do Most House Cleaners Include?

Standard cleaning packages usually include:

• Bathrooms: toilet, shower, sink, mirrors
• Kitchen: benches, cooktops, sinks
• Floors: vacuum and mop
• Dusting: furniture and skirting boards
• Tidying: beds, common areas

Supplies and equipment are typically provided by the cleaner. However, confirm beforehand to avoid hidden fees. If you require eco-friendly supplies or use of your own, ensure this is included in the cleaning price list.

Tips to Save Money on House Cleaning

• Compare multiple quotes from local cleaners to ensure competitive pricing
• Book recurring cleaning for a lower hourly rate
• Bundle services like window and oven cleaning together
• Be specific about the cleaning tasks you require to avoid paying for extras
• Clean lightly before the cleaner arrives to reduce the required time

Choosing the Right Cleaning Company

Not all cleaning services are equal. Use these tips to find the best fit for your needs:

• Choose cleaners who offer both hourly and flat rate options
• Look for teams with consistent staff to ensure service reliability. Many cleaning companies send the same cleaning team for consistency and customer reassurance.
• Ensure the cleaner provides a detailed cleaning price list
• Ask about satisfaction guarantees or re-cleans
• Evaluate reviews and testimonials for consistent quality
• Understand whether GST is included in the final cleaning cost

If your needs change, a flexible cleaner who can adjust service levels is a valuable partner. Quality guarantees are often offered by professional cleaning services to ensure customer satisfaction.

Sample Cleaning Price Estimates

Final Thoughts

Hiring a professional house cleaner can bring peace of mind and extra hours back into your week. Whether you need standard cleaning, a deep clean, or a bond cleaning service, understanding house cleaning rates per hour and available pricing models helps you make confident decisions.

In most cases, comparing quotes and choosing a cleaner who aligns with your needs and schedule will ensure value for money. Always assess the specific cleaning services, frequency, and condition of your home when evaluating cost.

For the most accurate cleaning prices, request a quote from a reputable cleaning company near you and make sure the inclusions match your expectations. The right cleaner will help you maintain a fresh, healthy home while saving you money in the long run.