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How a cleaner works out the price
A cleaner usually prices by the hour, with a minimum booking, or as a fixed price for the size of the home and the type of clean. Deep and end-of-lease cleans are mostly fixed prices because the job is a checklist. The rate has to cover more than wages: the Fair Work award minimum for a Level 1 cleaning employee is $27.08 an hour from 1 July 2026, and the price a customer pays also covers supplies, travel, insurance and the cleaner's tax and admin.
- Choose the type of clean: regular, deep or end of lease
- Size of the home: bedrooms, bathrooms and condition
- Hourly rate times hours, or a fixed price for the checklist
- Add-ons such as carpet steam cleaning, oven, blinds or wall washing
- GST, if the provider charges it
Worked example: End-of-lease clean, three-bedroom house, with two add-ons (illustrative, not a quote)
- Base end-of-lease clean
- $575
- Carpet steam cleaning, bedrooms
- $180
- Blinds, six
- $120
- Total
- $875 total (illustrative)
What it costs, by scenario
Low, typical and high prices. Built on 15 October 2026 from an Australian marketplace price guide, published price lists and guides from cleaning companies, a compiled end-of-lease guide and the Fair Work pay guide. Each range stays inside figures that at least two publishers share; one company says its prices include GST and most sources do not say, so we treat the basis as unconfirmed.
Hourly rate for a house cleaner, business hours (per hour)
Where the hourly ranges from our sources overlap; the typical value is one cleaning company's published rate, which includes GST, supplies and insurance. A two-hour minimum is common, and rates run higher in Sydney than elsewhere in one source.
- Low
- $55
- Typical
- $66
- High
- $75
Regular clean, three-bedroom home (per visit)
Where two sources' three-bedroom ranges overlap; the typical value is the midpoint of that overlap, rounded to the dollar. Companies with fixed price lists charge more than this range for bigger or two-bathroom homes, and recurring bookings are often cheaper per visit.
- Low
- $185
- Typical
- $203
- High
- $220
Deep clean, three-bedroom home (per job)
Where our sources' deep-clean ranges overlap; the typical value is the midpoint of that overlap. One company's published price for a three-bedroom home with one to three bathrooms sits inside it. Deep cleans take four to six hours.
- Low
- $280
- Typical
- $377
- High
- $473
End-of-lease clean, three-bedroom house, carpet steam cleaning extra (per job)
Where our sources' ranges overlap; the typical value is the midpoint, and one company's published price list for a three-bedroom home sits inside it. One source is from 2023 and an older page from another publisher put end-of-lease cleans lower, so confirm with current quotes.
- Low
- $450
- Typical
- $575
- High
- $700
| Scenario | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate for a house cleaner, business hours (per hour)Where the hourly ranges from our sources overlap; the typical value is one cleaning company's published rate, which includes GST, supplies and insurance. A two-hour minimum is common, and rates run higher in Sydney than elsewhere in one source. | $55 | $66 | $75 |
| Regular clean, three-bedroom home (per visit)Where two sources' three-bedroom ranges overlap; the typical value is the midpoint of that overlap, rounded to the dollar. Companies with fixed price lists charge more than this range for bigger or two-bathroom homes, and recurring bookings are often cheaper per visit. | $185 | $203 | $220 |
| Deep clean, three-bedroom home (per job)Where our sources' deep-clean ranges overlap; the typical value is the midpoint of that overlap. One company's published price for a three-bedroom home with one to three bathrooms sits inside it. Deep cleans take four to six hours. | $280 | $377 | $473 |
| End-of-lease clean, three-bedroom house, carpet steam cleaning extra (per job)Where our sources' ranges overlap; the typical value is the midpoint, and one company's published price list for a three-bedroom home sits inside it. One source is from 2023 and an older page from another publisher put end-of-lease cleans lower, so confirm with current quotes. | $450 | $575 | $700 |
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Find a providerWhat changes the price
- Type of clean. A regular tidy and wipe-down is the cheapest. A deep clean covers more, and an end-of-lease clean follows a longer checklist, so each costs more.
- Size and condition. More bedrooms and bathrooms mean more time, and a home that has not been cleaned for a while takes longer.
- Frequency. Weekly or fortnightly bookings are often priced lower per visit than a one-off clean.
- Add-ons. Carpet steam cleaning, oven, blinds, wall washing and balconies are often priced separately.
- Provider type. A self-employed cleaner and a larger company price differently, and the company's rate may include supplies and insurance.
- Location. Sydney prices run above other cities in the sources we read. See the metro and regional note below.
What's usually included, and what isn't
Usually included
- Kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and living areas cleaned to the checklist
- Vacuuming and mopping of floors
- Cleaning products and equipment, where the provider supplies them
- For an end-of-lease clean, the provider's checklist items such as inside the oven and cupboards, where listed
Often extra
- Carpet steam cleaning, often priced as an add-on
- Exterior windows, high-reach areas and furniture moving
- Mould removal, biohazard cleaning and pest control
- A minimum booking charge if the job is shorter than the minimum
Metro and regional differences
Metro: Cities have more cleaners to choose from, but wages and travel time push prices up. One 2023 end-of-lease table puts Sydney above Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, and Darwin below them.
Regional: Our sources do not give separate regional figures, so treat the ranges as a national guide. A longer drive can add to the price, and fewer providers means fewer quotes to compare.
Licensing and compliance
We did not research a licensing scheme for house cleaning in any state or territory, and the pages we read did not describe one, so this guide states no licensing rule.
Ask the cleaner whether they carry insurance: one company says its prices include insurance, and a marketplace guide says a self-employed cleaner's rate must cover insurance.
End-of-lease cleaning is shaped by rental rules.
The Consumer Affairs Victoria bond claims page (updated 14 October 2026) lists a property not left reasonably clean as a reason a rental provider might claim bond; it does not define the standard.
We did not read the bond or cleaning rules for New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT or the Northern Territory, so check your state's residential tenancy regulator and your condition reports.
Before you accept a quote, check
- Is the price hourly or fixed, and is there a minimum booking?
- Which tasks are on the checklist, and what is an add-on?
- Are cleaning products and equipment included?
- Does the quote say whether GST is included?
- Does the cleaner carry insurance?
- For an end-of-lease clean, does the provider offer a re-clean if the property inspection finds problems, and on what terms?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cleaner charge per hour?
Our sources put hourly rates between about $55 and $75, with a two-hour minimum common. Rates vary by city and by whether you hire a self-employed cleaner or a company.
What is the difference between a regular clean, a deep clean and an end-of-lease clean?
A regular clean is routine upkeep. A deep clean covers more of the house, such as inside the oven, and takes longer. An end-of-lease clean follows a longer checklist aimed at the property inspection, and carpet steam cleaning is often extra.
Is carpet cleaning included in an end-of-lease clean?
Often not. Carpet steam cleaning is commonly priced as an add-on, so check the quote. Whether you must have carpets professionally cleaned depends on your lease and your state's rules.
Do I have to hire a professional to get my bond back?
Not necessarily. In Victoria the bond claims page lists a property not left reasonably clean as a reason for a claim, and we did not read the other states. Check your lease and condition reports before you book.
Are recurring cleans cheaper?
Often. Sources describe weekly or fortnightly bookings as cheaper per visit than a one-off clean, so ask about the recurring price.
Should I take the cheapest quote?
Compare the same checklist first, and whether supplies, insurance and a minimum booking are included. A lower price can mean a shorter checklist.
Sources and method
Built on 15 October 2026 from an Australian marketplace price guide, published price lists and guides from cleaning companies, a compiled end-of-lease guide and the Fair Work pay guide. Each range stays inside figures that at least two publishers share; one company says its prices include GST and most sources do not say, so we treat the basis as unconfirmed. How we calculate our guides.
- Airtasker: how much does house cleaning cost (marketplace, 3 August 2026)
- Maid For You: services and pricing (supplier, 15 October 2026)
- Maid For You: DIY versus professional cleaning cost (supplier, 4 August 2025)
- Simply Maid: how much does house cleaning cost in Sydney (supplier, 13 October 2026)
- The Property Tribune: how much does end of lease cleaning cost (survey, 11 May 2023)
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Cleaning Services Award pay guide (MA000022) (award, 24 June 2026)
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: bond claims and refunds (regulator, 14 October 2026)
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