Most Brisbane commercial cleaning sits between $38 and $58 per hour, or roughly $2.20 to $4.50 per square metre per month for a standard office cleaned three to five nights a week. Specialist work — medical, food, high-access or post-construction — prices above that band.
- 1Budget $38–$58 per hour, or $2.20–$4.50 per sqm per month for a standard Brisbane office.
- 2Amenities (toilets and kitchens) drive labour cost more than total floor area does.
- 3Always ask for hours on site per visit — it is the fastest way to expose an underquote.
- 4Specialist scopes (medical, food, high-access) sit 15–40% above the standard band.
What Brisbane businesses actually pay
Pricing in Brisbane is quoted three ways: hourly, per square metre, or as a fixed monthly contract. Fixed monthly is the most common for offices because it makes budgeting predictable and shifts the efficiency risk to the cleaner rather than to you.
As a rough guide for the Brisbane CBD and inner suburbs like Fortitude Valley, Newstead, South Brisbane and Milton:
- Small office, up to 200 sqm, 3 nights a week — $650 to $1,100 per month
- Mid-size office, 200 to 800 sqm, 5 nights a week — $1,800 to $4,200 per month
- Large floor plate, 800 sqm plus, 5 nights a week — $4,500 to $12,000 per month
- Medical or allied health suite — add 15% to 30% for clinical protocols and consumables
- Warehouse and industrial — often quoted per visit, $180 to $600 depending on floor area and machinery
Indicative monthly ranges, ex GST. Consumables excluded unless stated.
| Site type | Size | Frequency | Monthly range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office | Up to 200 sqm | 3 nights/week | $650 – $1,100 |
| Mid-size office | 200 – 800 sqm | 5 nights/week | $1,800 – $4,200 |
| Large floor plate | 800 sqm + | 5 nights/week | $4,500 – $12,000 |
| Medical suite | 100 – 400 sqm | 5–7 days/week | +15% to 30% loading |
| Warehouse | 1,000 sqm + | Per visit | $180 – $600 per visit |
The six variables that move your price
Two identical-looking offices can be quoted 40% apart. These are the factors doing the work behind the number:
- Frequency — five nights a week costs more in total but far less per visit than weekly
- Floor type — carpet is quick, polished concrete and vinyl need machines and time
- Amenities — the number of toilets and kitchens is usually the single biggest labour driver
- Access hours — after 9pm or before 5am attracts penalty loading
- Consumables — whether hand towel, toilet paper, bin liners and soap are included or billed separately
- Compliance — police checks, inductions, SWMS and site-specific reporting all carry real cost
Approximate share of a typical Brisbane office cleaning price.
- Labour hours62%
- Amenities & consumables16%
- Insurance & compliance12%
- Equipment & chemicals10%
How to compare Brisbane quotes fairly
The cheapest quote almost always excludes something. Ask every provider to state the hours on site per visit, not just the monthly figure — that single question exposes underquoting immediately.
Also confirm public liability cover (a minimum of $20 million is standard for commercial work in Queensland), workers compensation, and whether cleaners are employees or subcontractors. Subcontracted labour is not automatically worse, but it changes who carries liability if something goes wrong on your site.
Hourly rate
Best for one-offs- You pay for time, not outcome
- Ideal for reactive, post-event or ad-hoc work
- Budget is unpredictable month to month
- Scope creep is billed, not absorbed
Fixed monthly
Best for offices- Defined scope and a predictable invoice
- Efficiency risk sits with the cleaner
- Easier to benchmark against other quotes
- Needs a clear scope document to work well
Frequently asked questions
Is commercial cleaning cheaper in Brisbane than Sydney or Melbourne?+
Generally yes. Brisbane hourly rates typically run 8% to 15% below Sydney for equivalent scope, largely due to lower labour and parking costs.
Should I pay hourly or a fixed monthly price?+
Fixed monthly is better for regular office cleaning because you get a defined scope and predictable budget. Hourly suits one-off or unpredictable work like post-event or reactive cleans.
Are cleaning consumables included in the price?+
Not always. Ask specifically. Many Brisbane quotes exclude paper products and soap, which can add $80 to $400 a month depending on headcount.
