What you need to know about cleaning business licences in Australia

As far as trade professions go, learning how to become a cleaner is quite straightforward. Let’s dig into everything you may want to be aware of if you are considering applying for a cleaning business licence in Australia.

Do cleaners in Australia need to be licensed?

In Australia, Cleaning business owners and their employees are not required to hold any specific licence to provide cleaning services to clients. There is also no specific cleaning course that needs to be completed to legally operate as a cleaner.

Is cleaning profitable?

Starting a cleaning business can be profitable in many areas. As of June 2024, the average weekly salary for Australian cleaners is $1,098. However, your pay may vary depending on your experience, the services you provide, and where your business is located.

While cleaning licences in Australia are not mandatory, having a licence or special certifications can help you increase your profitability. They can demonstrate your expertise and elevate your cleaning business above the competition.

Local laws

Despite Australia having no overarching licensing requirements for general commercial and domestic cleaners, you may need to follow local council, state or territory regulations. For example, you may be required to hold permits to offer certain services. These might include more complex jobs such as carpet cleaning, pest control, or upholstery cleaning.

Protecting your business

Like any job, cleaning comes with risks that you will need to manage within your business. There are no business insurance requirements for cleaning services in Australia, but the clients you work with may have their own insurance obligations that you must meet to work with them.

Cleaning businesses often consider different types of insurance—like Public Liability, Portable Equipment (part of a Business Insurance Pack), and Personal Accident and Illness cover—to help them manage their unique risks.

Different cleaning services

1. Residential cleaning

If you are operating as a cleaner for households and private homeowners, you may need to get a certain licence depending on the work that you intend to do. For example, in NSW you must have a licence before you do any residential building work in NSW, including minor maintenance and cleaning, that is valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials.

Recommended reading: How to Start a House or Residential Cleaning Business

2. Commercial cleaning

If you are cleaning an office, a corporate building, or another type of commercial premises, you may need special permits or licenses, depending on how your business operates. For example, Victorian commercial cleaning businesses with employees must have a labour hire license to help ensure they are protected on the job.

Recommended reading: How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Business

3. Car cleaning

Professional car cleaning can be quite the lucrative business model, both as a mobile service or in a dedicated premises. You may want to consider some basic yet comprehensive level of auto-mechanic training and certification to enable you to offer particularly attractive maintenance services to your clients.

4. Carpet, laundry and pool cleaning

Carpet cleaners also do not need any particular licence to operate in Australia. Carpet cleaners often deal with particular machinery or equipment, and use specific deodorisers, treatment products, and cleaning materials so it’s important that you and your cleaning staff are properly trained to use all of those items.

Just like carpet cleaning, there are no qualifications or licences required to become a laundry cleaner or pool cleaner. If you are familiar with the techniques, technologies, and tools, and have some experience providing the services in a safe manner, you should be good to go.

5. High rise window and bio-hazard cleaning

Any high-rise cleaning work–such as in the construction industry or cleaning building windows– that involves the use of scaffolding or rigging will require a high-risk work licence from the regulatory body in your state or territory.

Are you starting your own licensed cleaning business?

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