Cleaning Business Ideas You Can Start in Australia

54 ideas

Cleaning suits people who like practical work, want repeat customers and prefer a clear service to explain and price. This page covers 54 ideas, from a regular home cleaner or office and small business cleaner to a mobile car wash and detail, or a self-service launderette if you'd rather run a fixed site.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kOut and aboutOwn premises
Worker using a high-pressure washer to clean a driveway and exterior wall.

Mobile driveway and deck pressure washing

Clean driveways, paths, decks and walls at customers' homes using a ute or van setup.

  • A$2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Worker using a high-pressure washer to clean a driveway and exterior wall.

Commercial pressure washing contracts

Clean shopfronts, car parks, footpaths and bin areas for businesses on a regular schedule.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Customers loading coin-operated washing machines in a self-service launderette.

Self-service launderette

Run a coin or card-operated launderette for renters and apartment dwellers who have no washing machine at home.

  • A$60k-250k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Customers loading coin-operated washing machines in a self-service launderette.

Drop-off wash and fold launderette

Wash, dry and fold other people's laundry by the kilo from a small shopfront or unit.

  • A$25k-90k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Staff folding freshly washed linens and clothing in a professional laundry service.

Wash and fold laundry with pickup

Collect households' dirty washing, wash and fold it at home, then drop it back clean.

  • A$800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Staff folding freshly washed linens and clothing in a professional laundry service.

Linen laundry for Airbnbs and small businesses

Wash and return towels and bed linen for holiday rentals, cafes, salons and gyms.

  • A$15k-50k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Cleaner shampooing a fabric sofa in a living room.

Mobile sofa, chair and mattress cleaning

Deep clean sofas, chairs and mattresses at customers' homes and offices, priced per item.

  • A$2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Cleaner shampooing a fabric sofa in a living room.

Mattress cleaning for rentals and short stays

Specialise in mattress and sofa cleaning for landlords, property managers and short-stay hosts.

  • A$1.5k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Workers loading furniture from a house into a removal van during a property clearance.

Solo house clearance with a ute

Clear unwanted furniture and belongings from homes using your own ute or trailer, working on your own or with a mate.

  • A$1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Workers loading furniture from a house into a removal van during a property clearance.

Estate and end-of-lease clearance team

Run a small crew that clears whole properties for families, executors, landlords and agents, with sorting and a broom-clean finish.

  • A$20k-70k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Refuse collection truck emptying wheelie bins on a residential street.

Rubbish removal with a ute and trailer

Pick up household junk, garden waste and renovation rubbish and take it to the tip or recycling.

  • A$2k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Refuse collection truck emptying wheelie bins on a residential street.

Skip bin hire for homes and small sites

Drop off skip bins for renovations and clean-ups, then collect and dispose of the waste.

  • A$80k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Worker using a pressure washer to clean graffiti off a brick wall in a street.

Mobile graffiti removal for local businesses

Remove graffiti from shopfronts, fences and walls for property owners and shops in your area.

  • A$2.5k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Worker using a pressure washer to clean graffiti off a brick wall in a street.

Graffiti removal crew for councils and property managers

Build a small crew with a fitted-out ute to take on ongoing graffiti clean-up contracts.

  • A$10k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Worker skimming leaves from the surface of a clean swimming pool.

Residential pool servicing round

Visit homes weekly or fortnightly to clean, balance and maintain swimming pools.

  • A$2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Worker skimming leaves from the surface of a clean swimming pool.

Weekend pool cleaning side hustle

Service a handful of nearby pools on weekends and evenings alongside another job.

  • A$800-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Worker skimming leaves from the surface of a clean swimming pool.

Commercial pool maintenance contracts

Look after pools at units, motels, gyms and body corporates on regular contracts.

  • A$4k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
A cleaner vacuuming and tidying a modern office floor with equipment.

After-hours office cleaning contracts

Clean small offices, clinics and shops in the evenings or early mornings on regular weekly contracts.

  • A$500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
A cleaner vacuuming and tidying a modern office floor with equipment.

Cleaning team for schools and larger sites

Build a small crew to hold contracts for schools, childcare centres and larger offices.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Cleaner applying conditioner to a leather armchair with a soft cloth.

Mobile leather cleaning and conditioning

Visit homes, offices and car owners to clean and condition leather lounges and car seats.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Cleaner applying conditioner to a leather armchair with a soft cloth.

Leather jacket and bag cleaning from home

Clean and condition leather jackets, bags and shoes sent or dropped off by customers.

  • A$300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A worker using an extraction machine to clean a carpet in a living room.

Mobile carpet and rug cleaning

Deep clean carpets and rugs in homes and offices with a portable extraction machine.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A worker using an extraction machine to clean a carpet in a living room.

Weekend carpet cleaning side hustle

Start small with a hired or entry-level machine and clean carpets on weekends.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Cleaner in uniform vacuuming a tidy living room in a family home.

Rental and end-of-lease cleaning

Do one-off cleans for tenants, landlords and agents before inspections.

  • A$500-3k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Start by deciding whether you want to work with your hands, manage a team or own equipment and premises. Think about travel time, supplies, storage and how many regular clients you need to make it worthwhile. Check insurance, any licences or council rules, and whether your work involves chemicals, heights or other people's property. Compare the ideas by startup cost and how quickly you could land your first paying customers.

More ideas

Questions

How much do I need to start a cleaning business in Australia?

It varies widely. A home cleaning round may need mainly supplies and transport, while a launderette or specialist service needs equipment or premises. Compare the startup details on each idea and get real quotes for gear, insurance and vehicle costs before committing.

Do I need insurance or licences to run a cleaning business?

Often you'll want public liability insurance, and some work may need extra checks, such as working at height, handling certain chemicals or entering commercial sites. Requirements differ by state and council, so check with your local council, state regulator and an insurance broker.

How do I find my first cleaning customers?

Local word of mouth, neighbourhood groups, simple flyers and online listings are common starting points. For commercial work, approach small offices, strata managers or property agents directly. Check what similar services charge locally so your pricing is realistic, and ask early clients for referrals.