How Much to Pay a Cleaner For 3 Hours?

In Australia, the correct price to pay for a 3-hour professional commercial cleaning service is typically between AUD $105 and $195, based on an hourly rate of $35 to $65 per cleaner. For commercial cleaning in Sydney, rates are usually higher, often starting closer to $45 per hour due to increased labour, compliance, and operating costs.

This pricing applies to standard commercial and office cleaning performed by insured, trained professionals. Specialised or regulated cleaning services are priced separately.

Average 3-Hour Cleaning Cost in Australia (2026–2027)

Across Australia, commercial cleaning companies price services by the cleaner per hour.

For a single cleaner:

• Hourly rate: $35–$65
• 3-hour total: $105–$195

In Sydney, the common range is:

• $135–$195 for 3 hours

This reflects higher wages, fuel costs, insurance premiums, and business compliance requirements compared to regional areas.

What Determines the Final Cleaning Price?

Although $150 for three hours is a common benchmark, several real-world factors directly affect the final quote.

Cleaner Training and Employment Model

Independent cleaners often charge less because they operate without:

• Formal training
• Supervision
• Insurance coverage

By contrast, companies such as Clean Group employ trained staff under standardised pricing, regardless of which cleaner attends.

Type of Cleaning Service

Cleaning rates change based on task intensity and compliance requirements.

• Routine commercial cleaning
  Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and surface sanitisation.
• Deep cleaning
  Includes grout scrubbing, vents, behind appliances, and higher chemical usage.
  Costs are typically 20–30% higher due to labour intensity.
• Specialised services
  Carpet steam cleaning, medical-grade disinfection, high-rise window cleaning, or post-construction cleaning are quoted separately.

Geographic Location

Cleaning services in Sydney are usually 10–20% more expensive than in other Australian cities.

This difference is driven by:

• Award wages
• Transport time
• Equipment logistics
• Business overheads

Cleaning Frequency

Service frequency directly affects hourly pricing.

• One-off or emergency cleans: highest rates
• Weekly or fortnightly contracts: standard rates
• Daily services (5× per week): lowest per-visit cost

Regular scheduling allows companies to optimise staffing and reduce idle time.

What a Professional Cleaner Can Complete in 3 Hours?

A 3-hour commercial clean is designed for small to medium workplaces.

Typical inclusions:

Kitchen or Staff Area

• Bench and sink sanitisation
• Table and chair wiping
• Appliance exterior cleaning
• Floor mopping

Bathrooms

• Toilet and basin disinfection
• Mirror and tap cleaning
• Bin emptying and liner replacement
• Restocking consumables if supplied

Workspaces

• Desk and monitor wiping
• Shared surface disinfection
• Meeting room tables

Floors

• Carpet vacuuming
• Hard-floor mopping with disinfectant

High-Touch Points

• Light switches
• Door handles
• Entry surfaces

Waste Management

• Bin emptying across all areas

Clearing desks and floors beforehand allows cleaners to focus on hygiene rather than decluttering.

Why Very Cheap Cleaners Cost More Long-Term?

Rates below $30 per hour usually indicate missing protections rather than efficiency.

Common risks include:

• No compliance with Work Health and Safety standards
  
• No public liability insurance
  
• Incorrect chemical usage on sensitive surfaces
  
• No identity verification or background checks
  

Professional companies use trained staff, documented procedures, and equipment such as HEPA filtration vacuums to control allergens and dust.

Minimum Call-Out Fees Explained

Most Australian cleaning companies enforce a minimum 3-hour booking.

This covers:

• Travel time and fuel
• Equipment transport
• Commercial-grade chemicals
• Scheduling and administration

Even if only one hour of cleaning is required, the minimum charge usually still applies.

What You Get With a Managed Cleaning Provider?

A 3-hour service from Clean Group includes:

• Insured and uniformed cleaners
• Eco-friendly, non-toxic chemicals
• Commercial equipment and microfibre systems
• Transparent quotes after onsite inspection

Pricing is structured to reflect property size, condition, and compliance requirements.

Is 3 Hours Enough for Your Space?

For offices or retail spaces up to 150–200 square metres, three hours is generally sufficient for routine or deep cleaning by one cleaner.

Larger or heavily used premises may require:

• Multiple cleaners
• Longer sessions
• Higher-frequency scheduling

All pricing discussed is per cleaner. Teams of multiple cleaners are costed accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 3-hour rate include GST?
Most commercial quotes include Goods and Services Tax. Always confirm before booking.

Do I need to supply equipment or chemicals?
Professional cleaning companies provide all tools and products. Independent cleaners may not.

Are weekend cleans more expensive?
Yes. Weekend and public holiday rates are typically higher due to staffing availability.

Will one cleaner or a team attend?
This depends on the provider. Some companies allocate one cleaner for three hours, while others send two cleaners for 90 minutes at the same total cost.