What is the most profitable cleaning business?

 Running a cleaning business in Australia might not sound like a ticket to riches — but if you dig a little deeper, certain niches within this unglamorous industry are pulling in serious profits. And no, it’s not just about mops and buckets. Let’s get straight to it: the most profitable cleaning businesses tend to be commercial contracts, especially those locked in long-term. Think hospitals, retail outlets, and industrial facilities — where scale, recurring revenue, and low customer churn turn basic cleaning into a six or even seven-figure operation.

What kind of cleaning business makes the most money?

It’s tempting to think domestic cleaning is the easiest path — low barrier to entry, flexible hours, lots of potential clients. But it’s also crowded and highly price-sensitive. The real money lies in:

  • Commercial cleaning (e.g., office, strata, and healthcare)

  • Specialised cleaning (biohazard, mould remediation, or post-construction)

  • Retail and shopping centre cleaning

  • Industrial cleaning (factories, food processing plants, etc.)

These areas are often regulated, involve more technical skill, and require consistent service — which means you can charge more, lock in annual contracts, and build predictable cashflow.

Why is commercial cleaning so profitable?

It all comes down to volume and consistency. Commercial clients usually don’t want a one-off sparkle. They want reliable, scheduled services, often five days a week — sometimes 24/7. This means:

  • Recurring income: One signed contract could be worth tens of thousands per year.

  • High margins at scale: Once you’ve covered labour and equipment, each new client adds incremental profit.

  • Loyalty and low churn: Commercial clients stick around if the service is good — less time spent on marketing and sales.

  • Opportunities for upsells: Add-on services like window cleaning, carpet shampooing, or hygiene product restocking boost revenue without extra client acquisition costs.

I once spoke to a Brisbane-based operator who scaled from solo cleaner to $1.2 million in annual revenue within four years — just by targeting mid-sized office parks. No fancy tech. No ads. Just word-of-mouth and old-school reliability.

Is retail cleaning in Australia in demand?

Absolutely. Retail spaces — from strip malls to massive shopping centres — rely heavily on professional cleaning crews. The foot traffic alone creates unique challenges: fast turnaround, high visibility, and strict hygiene requirements. And because these businesses operate almost every day of the year, there’s rarely downtime.

Retail cleaning contracts in Australia are particularly lucrative because they often involve:

  • Multiple cleans per day (morning before open, evening after close)

  • Large square metre coverage

  • Waste management, window cleaning, and floor polishing as bundled services

In fact, some operators specialise only in retail cleaning, managing multiple shopping centres or chain store contracts. And with increasing attention on hygiene in post-pandemic Australia, this niche is more important than ever.

What startup cleaning services have low competition but high ROI?

While commercial and retail are the money-makers, they can be tough to break into without experience or referrals. If you’re starting out and looking for a high-return niche, consider:

  • Airbnb and short-stay turnaround services: High urgency, good hourly rate, and repeat business.

  • Vehicle fleet cleaning: Especially in mining, construction, and logistics sectors.

  • Pressure washing and exterior cleaning: Great for real estate and strata.

  • Construction site cleaning: Often last-minute, high-paying, and dirty work — but someone’s gotta do it.

These niches often fly under the radar but can yield fast returns with low overheads. Just make sure your pricing reflects the urgency or complexity of the job.

How much do top cleaning businesses make in Australia?

Let’s talk numbers.

  • A sole trader doing domestic cleans might earn $50,000–$80,000/year.

  • A small team focused on Airbnb or NDIS cleans could pull in $150,000–$300,000/year.

  • A well-run commercial cleaning business with multiple contracts? Anywhere from $500,000 to $5 million+ in annual revenue, depending on location, scale, and efficiency.

For instance, large cleaning franchises and facility services providers often hit $10M+ in annual turnover — but even smaller operators who lock in three or four decent contracts can earn far beyond six figures.

A Melbourne-based commercial cleaner told me he won a warehouse cleaning contract worth $180K a year with just two staff and a ride-on floor scrubber. It paid for itself in six months.

What mistakes kill profitability in cleaning businesses?

You can charge premium rates and still bleed money if you're not careful. Watch out for:

  • Underquoting: A classic rookie error. Always account for drive time, GST, admin, and equipment wear.

  • High staff turnover: Training new team members costs time and money. Hire slow, train hard.

  • No systems: Without proper scheduling, job tracking, and invoicing systems, things fall through the cracks.

  • Cashflow issues: Chasing late payments while paying wages weekly can put you under quick. Consider factoring or tighter payment terms for new clients.

One operator shared how they almost went bust landing their “biggest ever” job — they underquoted and overpromised, and it turned into a six-month stress fest. Lesson learned.

FAQ

Q: How much do I need to start a cleaning business?
You can start with less than $2,000 if you’re going solo and offering domestic or Airbnb cleans. But for commercial work, budget $5,000–$15,000 for equipment, insurance, uniforms, and marketing.

Q: Is a cleaning franchise worth it?
It depends. Franchises offer systems and leads but also take a hefty cut. If you’re business-savvy and willing to grind, you might be better off going solo.

Q: Do you need certifications?
Not for basic cleaning — but if you’re dealing with biohazards, aged care, or food environments, specific training and compliance are a must.

And while plenty of people are still chasing domestic clients, the quiet achievers are locking in recurring, high-value contracts in the commercial and retail sectors — particularly in areas like retail cleaning in Australia where the demand rarely dips.

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