Commercial cleaning cost in Sydney: the short answer
Commercial cleaning in Sydney typically costs between $46 and $70 per hour in 2026, or roughly $270 to $650 a month for a small office cleaned a couple of times a week. That’s the short answer. The longer answer is that two businesses of the same size can get quotes that are hundreds of dollars apart, and both can be fair.
Price is usually the first thing people ask about, and fair enough. The trouble is that a number quoted over the phone, without anyone seeing your space, is mostly a guess. Guesses tend to turn into surprise invoices a few months in.
This guide walks through what Sydney businesses actually pay, what pushes the number up or down, and how to tell a fair quote from one that’s cutting corners. We’ve been cleaning Sydney workplaces since 2005, so we’ll keep it practical.
Typical commercial cleaning rates in Sydney (2026)
Most Sydney office contracts land between $46 and $70 per hour, then get rolled into a fixed monthly price once frequency and scope are agreed. Here’s how that plays out for common jobs. All figures include GST.
| Service | Typical Sydney price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Contract office cleaning | $46 to $70 per hour |
| Small office (under 100 m²), cleaned weekly | $270 to $650 per month |
| Medium office (100 to 500 m²), cleaned daily | $850 to $2,700 per month |
| Small office regular clean (under 150 m²) | $54 to $160 per visit |
| Medical and clinical cleaning | $61 to $85 per hour |
| Commercial carpet steam cleaning | $3.20 to $6.50 per m² |
| End-of-lease or deep clean | $6.50 to $15 per m² |
| Sanitary bin service | $25 to $45 per bin, per month |
One thing to watch when comparing: many commercial quotes are written ex-GST. Put every quote on the same basis first, or your comparison will be out by 10%.
For context, cleaners in NSW are covered by the Cleaning Services Award. From 1 July 2026, the minimum base rate for a Level 1 cleaner is $27.08 an hour, before super, insurance, equipment, supervision and travel are added. That gap between the wage and the quoted rate is what pays for a properly run service.
What actually drives the price
Seven things move a commercial cleaning quote more than anything else. Floor size matters, but it’s rarely the whole story.
- Layout, not just size. Workstations, meeting rooms and kitchens take longer than open floor. That’s why two offices of the same size can quote very differently.
- How often you need us. Daily cleaning lowers the cost per visit but raises the monthly total. Weekly suits small teams; busy offices usually need three to five visits.
- When the cleaning happens. Most tenanted offices can only be cleaned before 7am or after 6pm. Under the Cleaning Services Award, Saturday work is paid at 150% of the base rate, Sunday at 200% and public holidays at 250%.
- The type of premises. A medical centre needs infection-control protocols, colour-coded equipment and hospital-grade disinfectants. That sits in a higher band than general office work.
- Consumables and extras. Toilet paper, hand towels, bin liners and sanitary services are either itemised or built into the rate. Always check which.
- Access and building rules. CBD towers often require inductions, loading-dock bookings and security sign-in. That’s time on site before the cleaning starts.
- Contract terms. Some providers discount longer contracts in exchange for a lock-in. Shorter or month-to-month terms keep you flexible.
Hourly vs per square metre vs fixed monthly
A fixed monthly price is the easiest to budget for, and it’s where most ongoing contracts end up. Here’s how the three common models compare.
| Pricing model | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | You pay for time on site, per cleaner | Small offices with changing needs | Output depends on the cleaner, and hours can creep |
| Per square metre | Priced on floor area, per clean or per month | Large, regular spaces like warehouses | Can ignore layout, so dense fit-outs get under-cleaned |
| Fixed monthly | One agreed price for an agreed scope | Most ongoing commercial contracts | Make sure the scope is written down in detail |
To compare an hourly quote with a monthly one, convert both to a monthly figure: visits per week × hours per visit × hourly rate × 4.33. If a contract price lands well below that, something like consumables, insurance or award loadings has probably been left out.
Typical costs by business type
The type of business changes the scope more than the size does. Medical sites cost the most per hour; retail and strata are usually priced per visit.
| Business type | What changes the price | Typical Sydney rate |
|---|---|---|
| Office cleaning | Layout, kitchens, meeting rooms, after-hours access | $46 to $70 per hour |
| Medical centre cleaning | Infection control, colour-coded gear, consulting rooms | $61 to $85 per hour |
| Gym cleaning | Heavy traffic, change rooms, overnight windows | Office band, plus loadings for late or overnight work |
| Retail cleaning | Trading hours, floor type, shopfront glass | Usually a flat price per visit |
| Strata cleaning | Common areas, lifts, bin rooms, car parks | Usually a flat price per visit |
If your business fits more than one row, such as a gym with a café, the quote should cover each area separately.
Red flags: when a cheap quote costs more
A quote well under the going rate usually isn’t a bargain. It normally means something has been left out, and you’ll find out what later.
- No site visit. A price given over the phone is a guess. Either it goes up later, or corners get cut to make it work.
- A vague scope. “General office clean” tells you nothing. A proper quote lists the areas, the tasks and how often each one is done.
- Rates that can’t cover award wages. If the hourly rate barely covers the minimum wage, it can’t also cover super, insurance and supervision. Something has to give.
- No proof of insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability. If they can’t produce one, walk away.
- Consumables left unclear. If paper, liners and soap aren’t mentioned, expect them to show up as extras.
- Heavy lock-in contracts. A 12 month contract with a stiff exit clause leaves you stuck with poor service. Check the exit terms before you sign.
- A different face every week. High staff turnover means nobody learns your site. Ask who will actually be doing the work.
How to get an accurate quote
The most accurate quote comes from an onsite visit, backed by a written scope. A bit of prep beforehand makes quotes easy to compare.
- Know your space. Rough floor area, number of bathrooms, kitchens and meeting rooms, and any special areas like a server room or treatment rooms.
- Decide on frequency. Daily, three times a week or weekly. If you’re unsure, a good cleaner will suggest what fits your foot traffic.
- Pick your time window. Early morning, evening, overnight or weekends. Your options here directly affect the price.
- Insist on a site visit. Walk the space together so nothing is missed.
- Get the scope in writing. Tasks, areas, frequency, consumables and any periodic jobs like windows or carpets.
- Compare like for like. Same scope, same GST basis, same frequency. Convert everything to a monthly figure.
- Check the paperwork. Public liability insurance, police checks and the contract’s exit terms.
How Keen2Clean4U prices its work
We give one fixed monthly price after a free onsite visit, with no phone quotes and no lock-in contract. Here’s how it works.
- We come and look first. A free onsite visit so the price is based on your actual space, not a guess.
- One fixed price. Any after-hours or weekend work is built into the number we quote, so there are no surprise loadings on the invoice.
- No lock-in contracts. Month to month, cancel with reasonable notice. We keep clients by doing the job well.
- Extras included that others charge for. Sanitary bin services, two free window cleans a year and 50% off steam cleaning for carpets and upholstery.
- Proof the job was done. Photo reports after every clean, uploaded to your own dedicated server.
- Covered properly. $20 million public liability insurance through QBE, and police-checked, uniformed cleaners.
When you compare our quote with others, count those extras. Sanitary bins alone can run $25 to $45 per bin a month elsewhere.
Want the full picture of what’s included? See our commercial cleaning services Sydney page, or our after hours commercial cleaning options.
Frequently asked questions
How much does commercial cleaning cost per hour in Sydney?
Most Sydney contracts sit between $46 and $70 per hour including GST in 2026. Specialised medical cleaning runs higher, around $61 to $85 per hour.
How much does office cleaning cost per month in Sydney?
A small office under 100 m² cleaned weekly typically pays $270 to $650 a month. A medium office of 100 to 500 m² cleaned daily usually pays $850 to $2,700.
Why is after-hours cleaning more expensive?
The Cleaning Services Award sets penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work: 150% of the base rate on Saturdays, 200% on Sundays and 250% on public holidays. Providers either show this as a loading or build it into a fixed price.
Do commercial cleaning quotes include GST?
Not always. Many commercial quotes are written ex-GST, so check before comparing. A 10% difference can make a fair quote look expensive.
Why won’t some cleaners quote over the phone?
Because an accurate price depends on layout, floor types, access and how the space is used. A site visit takes about half an hour and gives you a number you can actually budget around.
Is the cheapest quote worth taking?
Rarely. A quote well under the market range usually leaves out consumables, insurance or award loadings. Those costs tend to come back as extras or as a drop in quality.
Get a fixed price for your space
The quickest way to know what your space will cost is to have someone look at it. Book a free onsite visit and we’ll give you a fixed monthly price, with the scope written down and no lock-in contract.
Call us on 1300 798 801 or book a free onsite visit. We’re open 24/7 and service every major Sydney suburb.