The Australian cleaning industry is worth over $21 billion AUD, but rising wages and "national insurance" (superannuation) are eating profits. These challenges make running a cleaning business demanding.

Naturally, increases in wages and mandated government contributions result in higher payroll expenses. This puts small business owners in a tight position, straining their profit margins. Unless you do something about it, your commercial cleaning business growth in Australia is at a standstill.

Without the necessary support, you’re forced to spend 40 hours weekly on invoicing and scheduling instead of winning commercial contracts.

That’s where VAV's remote assistants come in. Outsource virtual professionals from the Philippines and Madagascar to deliver quality service and scale your business.

How to Start a Cleaning Business

Let’s break down your startup cleaning business checklist.

Research and Planning

Identify Target Market. Conduct thorough research on your market. What type of cleaning business do you want to start?

• Residential cleaning is ideal when you’re operating solo, taking care of smaller spaces. In a week, you’ll probably cover more or less a dozen homes and get paid instantly after every visit.
• Commercial cleaning is provided to businesses with a much bigger team, handling more spacious environments such as office spaces and retail stores.
• Specialised cleaning offers niche services like Airbnb turnover cleaning, post-construction cleaning, or tailored office cleaning, which can attract higher-paying clients.

In choosing what type of cleaning business to enter, consider your location. For instance, if you’re targeting the downtown area, a commercial cleaning business has a strong potential for growth.

Business Plan. Create a concrete business plan and clearly outline your services, strategy, processes and financial projections. This will serve as your roadmap to managing your business and setting your goals.

Here’s what should be inside your business plan:

• Legal structure. Sole proprietorship, partnership, or LLC. Choosing the right business structure matters, as it will dictate your legal liabilities.
• Startup costs. Details your expenditures in marketing, operation and equipment.
• Business name and company logo. Should reflect your brand identity and the services you offer.

Legal and Financial

Business Registration. Register your cleaning business with the relevant authorities, depending on which country you’re in and your business structure.

• For a sole proprietorship, you have full control, which means all the legal responsibilities rest upon your shoulders.
• For partnership registration, you’ll be collaborating with two or more people.
• For a corporation, the business is separated from you. This means you’re not personally liable for the corporation’s legal debt. Simply put, this has the best liability protection.

If you’re operating an Australian cleaning company not under your name, register it through the Business Registration Service.

Here are the registration and certification essentials when running a cleaning company:

• Employment identification number for your taxes and necessary licenses and permits based on your location.
• AHCA certification (expertise in handling hazardous cleaning materials) to boost your reputation. Once you have it, make sure your would-be clients know about it.
• ABN/GST registration is needed for all companies operating in Australia. If you anticipate a turnover of more than $75,000, then it is highly mandatory.

Insurance. Ensure you have proper insurance in place for protection. This is non-negotiable because the last thing you need is to not have insurance after damaging your client’s home.

Without insurance, you risk paying out of your own wallet to cover the expenses. Your policy is your financial security blanket, giving you peace of mind.

Now, there are different types of cleaning insurance policies:

• General liability
• Health insurance
• Vehicle insurance
• Workers’ compensation

Funding. You have several financial options to explore, including:

• Personal investment is your main source of funding. Here, you will be spending your own cash; no need to seek investments from other people or an organisation. You’ll have full control of your operations and keep all the profits from those activities.
• Loans and investors are the most common ways to secure funding for startup businesses. Unfortunately, small businesses will have a harder time procuring financial support. You can start with a solid business plan, though, to demonstrate seriousness about your new venture.

Operations

A cleaning business is a low-cost venture. Still, you will need to acquire essential cleaning items ahead of your first job.

• Mop
• Vacuums
• Face masks
• Rubber gloves
• Rags
• Scrubbing tools
• Trash bag
• Paper towels
• Duster
• Disinfectants
• Microfiber cloths
• Spray bottle
• Glass cleaner
• Soap

You don’t always have to go for the expensive brand-name cleaning products. Check a janitorial store and ask about eco-friendly and affordable cleaning supplies. Using sustainable products can help you stand out.

Pricing. Consider your service type, time involved and market rates before determining your service price.

Here are some smart tips to set the right competitive price and maximise your profits:

• Find out how much your competitors are charging for their cleaning service.
• Identify the highest and lowest amount your target market is willing to pay.
• Avoid being the cheapest; calculate labour, travel, and cleaning materials costs to ensure a solid profit margin.
• Select a pricing structure and match that to the total costs of the cleaning service.
• Charge more for the first clean, as it often requires deeper, more time-consuming work.
• Set profit margin and markup to ensure you’re earning enough to cover expenses.

Systems and Processes. Create an efficient system for your cleaning business, from the scheduling and cleaning checklist to communication. When processes are optimised, you can operate better, cater to your customers’ needs and protect your bottom line.

• Invest in Staff Training. Create competency sheets to train staff, which boosts retention and service quality.
• Use CRM Software. Utilise software for scheduling, invoicing and tracking, ensuring professional management.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Use checklists for consistent quality, encouraging repeat business.

Marketing. This is vital to landing your first client, which can be challenging for a startup. The good thing about a cleaning business is that you can thrive through word of mouth. Deliver great service, build trust and you’ll get instant recommendations.

Moreover, you can take advantage of today’s marketing tools. There are free advertising opportunities on social media channels such as Facebook groups, Instagram and even applications like Yelp.

Here are other effective strategies to advertise your cleaning business and increase visibility:

• Google My Business & Local SEO. Ensure your profile is fully optimised, as local search is crucial.
• Referral Programmes: Encourage satisfied clients to recommend your services, as word-of-mouth is powerful in Australia.
• Targeted Networking. Build relationships with real estate agents and property managers for consistent, long-term cleaning contracts.
• Speedy Follow-ups. Call leads back within 5 minutes, as rapid follow-up is critical for conversion.

Now, here’s how to market your business online:

• Create social media accounts for your business
• Complete a Google Business Profile so that your business shows up in local search results.
• Add your business in local directories to boost your brand’s online presence. This way, people in your area who are looking for a cleaning service can see you.

The most important thing to remember is to stick with the free stuff. As you're just starting, it is not smart to run paid ads. The cleaning industry is where people mostly rely on referrals to hire. This means providing top-notch service is paramount to land more clients and bookings.

Growth and Expansion

Many cleaning businesses start with residential cleaning before expanding to commercial and specialty cleaning services. The growth possibility in this industry is massive if you know how to play your cards right.

Hiring and Training. Once the business gains traction, work can become overwhelming. It’s time to hire additional help to meet the increasing demand. Now, bringing in new people can be time-consuming, especially for a business owner.

This is where virtual assistant companies like VAV Remote Workers come in to streamline the hiring process. We can help you with recruitment and the management of your daily admin tasks. With our assistance, you can scale your business without worrying about the menial details.

Client Management. Whatever you do, take care of your clientele. We encourage you to create an effective client relationship management system to maintain high customer satisfaction.

Here are some smart business practises to keep clients engaged:

• Make sure that you are accessible, allowing contacts through several communication platforms: online booking forms, phone or email.
• Offer free quotes to clients and follow this up with another customised email.
• After an agreement is reached, set a schedule and list your full-service package.
• Engage with your clients and actively seek their feedback. This will help address pending concerns and ensure consistency.
• Once the job is completed, you can send an invoice using free tools for a faster and more straightforward process.

Running a cleaning business doesn’t have to be rushed. Start small and scale at your own pace to test the waters.

As you gain more experience, you gain more credibility. You can decide then when the time is right to expand.

What Type of Cleaning Makes the Most Money?

• House cleaning is exactly how it sounds: cleaning different areas of a residential property.
• Apartment cleaning is a profitable cleaning service. Just like house cleaning, it covers small areas, such as a flat.
• Maid service focuses on deep cleaning in spaces that require attention, such as cooking areas or bathroom showers.
• Move-in/out cleaning is perfect for clients who have just moved in or want to sell their houses.
• Property rental cleaning is for tenants and landlords who want to keep their rental properties spotless.
• Specialty cleaning offers specialised cleaning solutions in high-traffic areas like commercial kitchens or delicate items like antiques.

As you think of your service list, weigh down the offerings of your competitors. There may be service gaps in the market that you can fill.

For instance, upscale neighbourhoods need maid services, while low-income housing areas are interested in intermittent intensive cleaning.

Always begin with fewer service options while weighing current and future needs and goals. Whatever your final list is, maintain a high-quality service.

Can You Start a Cleaning Business with No Funds at All?

Absolutely. A cleaning business will never go out of style because it’s a basic human need. That said, it’s a startup idea that can thrive in any economy.

If you can deliver the quality service as promised, you will keep booking clients, especially with the popularity of Airbnb.

You can start with the resources you have. A cleaning company doesn’t really require training or education. If you know the basics of cleaning, you can learn professionalism and efficiency along the way.

As your business grows, you can eventually purchase top-grade cleaning tools and carry out promotions. You can also hire additional help and make space for personal adventures and strategic initiatives.

The "Leaking Bucket" Syndrome

Have you ever tried filling a bucket with water, only for the water to leak out because there are holes at the bottom? In this context, the water is the calls of opportunity, and the holes represent missed client calls.

Unfortunately, your relentless pursuit to expand your cleaning company is failing because you lack the resources. Every day you’re missing a call due to workload overload; you’re missing a potential $5,000 AUD contract.

As a growing commercial company, you need to find the right support to keep admin from dragging down your operations.

The solution? You need 24/7 "front desk" support. This is where a VAV virtual assistant becomes your secret weapon. By outsourcing offshore, you don’t have to worry about the cost associated with bringing in a full-time, on-site Australian employee.

Madagascar & The Philippines? (The "Follow-the-Sun" Strategy)

Outsourcing cleaning admin Australia is a strategic move many companies are taking advantage of. The cost of hiring a virtual assistant vs. Australian admin staff differs significantly.

When you hire our offshore virtual assistant for cleaning companies, you can save up to 70% on administrative costs. Hiring locally in Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth is too costly due to employee-associated expenses, such as…

• Salary
• Overhead (rent, utilities, office equipment)
• Compensation benefits (health insurance, paid leaves)
• Government taxes

Reducing cleaning business overheads means working with VAV's remote assistants from the Philippines and Madagascar. So, why not recruit in these countries?

The Philippines is unbeatable for customer service and phone handling. They’re not only excellent English speakers; they also embrace the Western-standard professionalism. This makes them perfect for making a positive, lasting impression on clients in Australia.

Madagascar offers analytical, highly educated, and cost-effective remote professionals. Malagasy VAs are proficient in both English and French. They’re perfect to take charge of deep admin, bookkeeping, and complex scheduling.

What’s more?

Since VAs from the Philippines and Madagascar operate in different time zones, they can offer 24/7 productivity. We can handle a global workflow, defined by quick responses, faster resolutions and higher satisfaction.

Tips on How to Scale a Cleaning Business in Australia 2026

Aussies love the "no-nonsense" value. You want to achieve excellent results without wasting time, energy and money. And that’s exactly what VAV can deliver.

From ServiceM8 and Xero to Deputy, we provide virtual assistants trained in these modern tools. If you hire our “VA Philippines” or “VA Madagascar,” the onboarding process will be painless. How so?

Our virtual assistant can create consistency, remove friction and speed up processes. We use automation tools, project management systems and communication software to facilitate a smooth start. Our VAV assistant can be your ultimate solution to the following:

• Efficient commercial cleaning contract management.
• How to stop missing cleaning quotes and enquiries.
• Managing cleaning staff schedules remotely.

Tasks a VAV Assistant Can Do Better (So You Don't Have To)

Outsourcing Admin Australia allows you to delegate tasks to low-cost regions. You will not only receive affordable services but also access real professionals who can complete the following tasks efficiently.

• Lead Response & Quote Generation. Instant replies to web enquiries.
• Roster Management. Coordinating teams across different sites.
• Invoice Chasing. Ensuring cash flow stays healthy by following up on late payments.
• Inventory Tracking. Ordering supplies before they run out.

Commercial Cleaning Business Growth Australia with VAVs Virtual Assistant

A cleaning business in Australia is one of the most straightforward startups you can venture into. You can run it with little money and win more contracts.

But if you’re looking to scale your cleaning company effectively, hire our dedicated remote assistant. Flexible, scalable and cost-effective, they can help you build a cleaning business from the ground up.

While your in-house team creates sparkling spaces, our virtual assistants handle admin tasks while reducing business costs in Australia.

Here’s what we can offer you:

• Immediate availability
• Savings on hiring
• Flexible schedule and payment options
• Highly qualified staff
• Wide range of services

Book a free consultation with our experts. Create opportunities for your dirt-busting company with our virtual assistant.

Read on: Top 10 Tasks to Outsource to a Virtual Assistant

DISCLAIMER

Outsourcing to Madagascar and the Philippines offers significant cost advantages. However, business owners should ensure their remote teams have access to the necessary local software (Xero, ServiceM8, etc.) to remain compliant with Australian accounting standards.