Professional vs In-House Childcare Cleaning: True Cost Comparison
Quick answer
An in-house cleaner on the Cleaning Services Award costs more than the hourly rate suggests: from 1 July 2026, the Level 1 rate is about $27.08/hr (casual $33.85), and once super, leave, workers’ comp, supplies, equipment and sick-day cover are added the real cost is often $40–$50/hr. A professional company at around $60/hr + GST includes all of that plus cover, supervision and compliance documents. In-house can suit large centres with full-time hours; most single centres get better value and reliability from a contractor.
Many centre directors start by comparing an award rate with a contractor’s hourly rate — and the award looks cheaper. The comparison changes once you count everything an employer pays for.
In this guide
The true cost of an in-house cleaner
| Cost item | Approximate cost per hour worked |
|---|---|
| Base wage (Level 1, permanent, from 1 July 2026) | $27.08 |
| Evening/shift penalties (if applicable) | $0–$4 |
| Superannuation (12%) | $3.25–$3.75 |
| Annual leave, personal leave, public holidays | $3.50–$4.50 |
| Workers’ compensation, payroll admin | $1–$2 |
| Supplies, chemicals, consumables | $2–$4 |
| Equipment (vacuums, mops, trolleys) amortised | $1–$2 |
| Cover when the cleaner is sick or on leave | $1–$3 |
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | In-house cleaner | Professional company |
|---|---|---|
| Real hourly cost | ~$40–$50/hr | ~$45–$75/hr + GST (typical visit $180 + GST) |
| Sick/leave cover | You find a replacement | Included |
| Supplies & equipment | You buy and maintain | Usually included |
| Training & supervision | Your responsibility | Provider trains and audits |
| Compliance documents | You create them | Insurance, WWCC, SDS, logs supplied |
| Control & familiarity | High — one person who knows the centre | Good with a regular assigned team |
| Scaling for outbreaks or deep cleans | Limited | Extra staff on short notice |
Want this cleaning done for your centre?
WWCC-verified, police-checked teams cleaning after hours across Melbourne. A typical 3-hour visit is around $180 + GST, with one fixed price per visit after a free walk-through.
When in-house cleaning makes sense
- Large or multi-site centres needing 25+ hours a week
- Centres wanting daytime support (bathrooms, lunch clean-up) alongside a night contractor
- Operators with existing HR, payroll and WHS systems
A hybrid model is common: educators handle in-the-moment cleaning, a daytime support worker covers midday bathrooms and kitchen, and a contractor does the nightly and periodic deep cleans.
A warning about very cheap contractors
If a contractor quotes well under ~$40/hr, ask how they pay award wages, super, insurance and supplies. Below-award pricing often means cash workers, no WWCC, no insurance — and risk landing on your service. See childcare cleaning costs in Melbourne.
Our childcare cleaning service quotes around $180 + GST for a typical nightly visit, with every cleaner police-checked, WWCC-cleared, insured and paid correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to employ a cleaner for a childcare centre?
Sometimes for large centres with full-time hours. For most single centres, once super, leave, supplies, equipment and cover are counted, a contractor costs about the same or less and is more reliable.
What is the award rate for cleaners in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the Cleaning Services Award Level 1 rate is about $27.08 per hour for permanent employees and $33.85 for casuals, before penalties. Check the Fair Work pay guide for current rates.
Can educators do the cleaning instead?
Educators handle in-the-moment hygiene, but full end-of-day cleaning takes them away from programming and children. Most centres use a dedicated cleaner or contractor for it.
This guide is part of
Childcare Cleaning Cost in Melbourne (2026): Per-Visit, Hourly & Monthly PricesWant this cleaning done for your centre?
WWCC-verified, police-checked teams cleaning after hours across Melbourne. A typical 3-hour visit is around $180 + GST, with one fixed price per visit after a free walk-through.
Sources and further reading
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Cleaning Services Award pay guide (from 1 July 2026)
- Victorian Government — Working with Children Check
- NHMRC — Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (6th ed.)
This guide is general information for early childhood services. Always follow your service's policies, product labels and safety data sheets, and current advice from your regulatory authority and local health department. Prices are guide estimates only; your fixed price is confirmed after a free walk-through.
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