Starting a cleaning business feels overwhelming — until it’s broken into steps.

Essential Setup

• ABN registered

• Business name secured

• Insurance in place

Financial Foundations

• Separate bank account

• Basic bookkeeping system

• Clear pricing structure

Operations

• Equipment & supplies

• Service checklist

• Time management system

Marketing Basics

• Google Business Profile

• Simple branding

• Local visibility strategy

Checklists create momentum without burnout.

Your business structure impacts tax, liability, and growth.

Sole Trader

Best for:

• Beginners

• Low startup costs

• Simple operations

Pros:

• Easy setup

• Full control

Cons:

• Personal liability

• Harder to scale

Company Structure

Best for:

• Growth-focused owners

• Hiring teams

• Long-term scaling

Pros:

• Asset protection

• Professional image

Cons:

• Higher setup costs

• More admin

Partnership (Less Common)

Only suitable when roles and expectations are clearly defined.

Most cleaning businesses start as sole traders and transition later. There’s no “right” — only what suits your stage.

One overlooked area when starting a cleaning business is legal compliance. Getting this right early protects you, your clients, and your income.

Do You Need a Licence to Start a Cleaning Business?

In most Australian states, cleaning businesses don’t require a specific licence, but there are exceptions depending on:

• Location

• Industry (e.g. medical, childcare)

• Client requirements

Always check local council or industry guidelines.

Insurance You Shouldn’t Skip

At minimum, you need:

• Public Liability Insurance – protects you if property is damaged or someone is injured

• Professional Indemnity (optional but smart) – covers claims of negligence

If you plan to hire:

• Workers Compensation Insurance is mandatory

Background Checks & Trust Signals

Some clients require:

• Police checks

• Working With Children Checks

• NDIS screening

These aren’t just compliance tools — they’re trust builders.

Contracts & Terms

Even solo operators should...

Starting a cleaning business in Australia is one of the most accessible ways to step into business ownership — low startup costs, flexible hours, and strong demand across residential and commercial markets.

But where many people go wrong is jumping in without structure.

This guide walks you through the exact steps to start your cleaning business the right way, so you can build something profitable, legal, and sustainable from day one.

Step 1: Decide What Type of Cleaning Business You Want

Before buying supplies or registering a business, get clear on your direction.

Ask yourself:

• Residential, commercial, or both?

• Solo operator or future team?

• Local neighbourhoods or wider service areas?

Clarity here avoids costly rebrands later.

Step 2: Register Your Business Properly

At minimum, you’ll need:

• An ABN

• A registered business name

• A basic business structure (most start as sole traders)

This step legitimises your business and allows you to invoi...

Surveys are a powerful tool for collecting feedback from clients and staff. When used correctly, they help you refine services, boost team morale, and strengthen customer relationships.

However, if handled poorly, surveys can create negativity, confusion, and even harm your business. The key is to design them with purpose so that you gain meaningful insights instead of just giving people a place to complain.

Here’s how to make surveys work for your business—not against it.

1. The Pros and Cons of Surveys

Surveys provide a structured way to gather feedback, but they come with both benefits and risks.

✅ Pros:

• Identify trends in client or staff satisfaction

• Gather structured feedback to guide improvements

• Show clients and employees you value their opinions

• Automate the process for efficiency and consistency

❌ Cons:

• Responses may be influenced by someone’s mood that day

• Poorly worded questions can produce misleading or negative data

• Anon...

You won’t find a generic “Employee of the Month” plaque hanging in our office. That’s because, in a real cleaning business, the glue that holds the team together is rarely just one person.

Instead, we’ve built a strategic recognition program that rewards multiple types of contribution—tied directly to our business goals, values, and leadership strategy. Here’s how we make it meaningful, fair, and effective.

🔑 The Philosophy: Every Award Must Map Back to Strategy

In our business, nothing is done for fluff or tokenism—and that includes awards.

Each recognition moment is connected to:

• Our MOPs (Mission Critical Operating Procedures)

• Our Annual Goals

• Our Core Values

This ensures recognition isn’t just a “feel-good” exercise. Instead, it reinforces who we are and where we’re going as a company.

🏆 The Three Awards We Use Every Month

Excellence doesn’t look the same for everyone. That’s why we give out three awards every month, each highlighting a dif...

Mingle, connect, grow — but do it with intention!

Building a fantastic network is one of the best ways to generate leads for your cleaning business — if you do it right.

Networking generally falls into two categories:

Unstructured Networking
You grab a ticket (or it’s free), show up, mingle, and see where the conversations take you. There’s no set agenda — just connections and possibilities.

Formal Networking
Groups like BNI have structure, KPIs, weekly meetings, and accountability. You’re expected to show up, refer others, and report results — but the rewards can be huge.

I personally joined BNI and stayed for four years. I held every role in the room, and it was game-changing. I learned how to be a better business owner, stay accountable, and “show up and glow up” every single week!

But before you dive in, let’s look at the pitfalls to avoid and the moves that actually work.

❌ Networking Pitfalls to Avoid

Networking won’t fix a broken business

If you’re struggling with...

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the lack of quality applicants for your job ads, you’re not alone—and I get it. I see hundreds of cleaning job ads every single day. The truth is, most of them are vague, uninspiring, and missing key information. And that’s a big problem.

Here’s what you need to know: your job ad is not just a notice—it's marketing. It’s your first impression. And if it doesn’t spark interest or connect with the right people, it will get overlooked.

Let’s change that. Here are my top five tips for writing powerful, scroll-stopping job ads that attract the right team members.

1. Start with Your Mission, Vision, and Values

People want to work for businesses they believe in. If your job ad doesn’t include who you are, what you stand for, and why you do what you do, you’re missing the chance to connect.

Include a line or two that shares your mission, vision, and values—this builds trust and helps applicants feel aligned before they even apply.

“We’re passio...

In the fast-paced world of commercial and domestic cleaning, efficiency matters—but so does safety. One of the smartest ways to protect your team and reduce injury risk is by limiting vacuum use to 20–30 minutes at a time. While it might sound overly cautious to some, this approach is backed by occupational health best practices and industry research.

Here’s why this simple guideline can make a major difference in your cleaners’ wellbeing.

💡 Understanding Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) in Cleaning Roles

A Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) refers to damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves caused by repeated motion, awkward postures, vibration, or staying in one position too long. Cleaners are particularly vulnerable, especially during physically repetitive tasks like vacuuming.

Early RSI symptoms can include:

• Tingling or numbness

• Weakness in arms or hands

• Persistent pain or stiffness in the wrists, shoulders, or back

If left unmanaged, RSIs can progress to mor...

When it comes to running a professional cleaning business, few things are as overlooked — but as critical — as how you manage your cloths and equipment. Recently, a member asked a fantastic question in our community:

“Do your cleaners wash their own cloths at home, or do you provide a laundering service? Also, do you provide all staff with equipment, even if they don’t work full-time hours, or do you hold everything at a central point for them to collect at the beginning of their shift?”

This is a brilliant conversation starter—and one that every cleaning business owner will face as they grow. So let’s break it down and explore your options.

1. Cleaners Washing Their Own Cloths: Ownership vs. Consistency

👍🏻 Pros:

Having cleaners launder their own cloths encourages maximum ownership and responsibility. When your team is responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of their kits, they develop a stronger understanding of what’s involved in maintaining professional standards. Cleaner...