Cleaning Business Licences & Insurance: What to Check Before You Hire
Unlike electricians or plumbers, cleaners in Australia don't need a specific trade licence to operate. There's no "cleaning licence" issued by any state government. But that doesn't mean you should hire just anyone. A professional cleaner should have an active ABN, public liability insurance, a police check (especially for residential work), solid references, and clear, written pricing. This guide covers exactly what to look for — and what to avoid — state by state.
What Should a Legit Cleaner Have?
Signs of a Professional
- ✓Active ABN (check on abr.gov.au)
- ✓Public liability insurance ($5M–$20M)
- ✓National Police Check (for residential cleaning)
- ✓Google reviews or verifiable references
- ✓Clear, written pricing with scope of work
Red Flags
- ✗No ABN or won't provide one
- ✗No insurance or can't show a certificate
- ✗Cash only — no invoices or receipts
- ✗No reviews, no references, no online presence
- ✗Won't provide a written quote before starting
Cleaning Credentials by State
New South Wales (NSW)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
Bond cleaning standards set by individual real estate agents and the NSW Rental Bond Board. No mandated cleaning checklist, but agents typically require professional-level results for full bond return.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory if the cleaning business employs any workers (even one). Sole traders with no employees are exempt but strongly encouraged to hold personal accident cover.
Tip: NSW Fair Trading handles complaints about cleaning services. Check your cleaner's ABN is active and matches their business name on the ABR.
Victoria (VIC)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) oversees bonds. Real estate agents commonly provide a specific end-of-lease cleaning checklist. Professional bond cleaners in Melbourne typically offer a re-clean guarantee.
Workers' Compensation
WorkSafe Victoria requires workers' compensation for all employers. Sole traders can opt in for personal coverage. Cleaning businesses with employees must register with WorkSafe.
Tip: Victoria has strong consumer protection laws. If a cleaner does substandard work, you can lodge a complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Queensland (QLD)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) manages bonds. Queensland has a standardised Entry/Exit Condition Report. Bond cleaners must meet the condition documented at the start of the tenancy, not an arbitrary standard.
Workers' Compensation
WorkCover Queensland requires all employers to hold workers' compensation. Sole traders can apply for optional personal coverage.
Tip: Queensland's humid climate means mould remediation is common. Ask if your cleaner has experience with mould treatment if that's a concern.
South Australia (SA)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
SA has specific bond cleaning expectations set by the Residential Tenancies Act. Real estate agents in Adelaide often require carpet steam cleaning receipts, professional oven cleaning, and window cleaning for full bond return. The SA Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) handles bond disputes.
Workers' Compensation
ReturnToWorkSA requires workers' compensation for all employers. Sole traders are not required to hold it but can opt in.
Tip: Adelaide agents are particularly strict about bond cleans. Get a written scope of work from your property manager before booking a bond cleaner.
Western Australia (WA)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
Bond Administration manages rental bonds in WA. There's no legislated cleaning standard, but agents typically expect the property to match the ingoing condition report. Disputes go to the Magistrates Court.
Workers' Compensation
WorkCover WA requires employers to hold workers' compensation insurance. Sole traders are exempt but can opt in for personal injury cover.
Tip: Perth's sandy environment means deep cleaning of outdoor areas is common. Check if your cleaner covers outdoor areas or if that's an extra charge.
Tasmania (TAS)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
The Residential Tenancy Commissioner oversees bonds. Bond cleaning standards follow the ingoing condition report. Tasmania has a smaller market, so word-of-mouth reputation matters more here.
Workers' Compensation
WorkCover Tasmania requires workers' compensation for all employers. Sole traders can opt in for personal coverage.
Tip: Tasmania's smaller cleaning market means fewer options but often more personalised service. Ask for local references.
ACT (ACT)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
The ACT Revenue Office manages rental bonds. The standard residential tenancy agreement references 'reasonably clean' condition. ACT tenants can self-clean to bond standard — no requirement to use a professional.
Workers' Compensation
The ACT Default Insurance Fund covers workers' compensation. All employers must hold a current policy.
Tip: Canberra's government workforce means lots of rental turnover. Bond cleaners in the ACT are busy around parliamentary sitting schedules — book early.
Northern Territory (NT)
No specific cleaning licence requiredBond Cleaning Standards
NT Consumer Affairs handles bond disputes. The hot, humid climate means pest control and deep cleaning are often bundled together. Some Darwin agents require a combined clean and pest treatment receipt for bond return.
Workers' Compensation
NT WorkSafe requires workers' compensation for all employers. The remote workforce often relies on contractor arrangements.
Tip: Darwin's climate creates unique cleaning challenges — red dust, humidity, and mould. Look for cleaners experienced with tropical conditions.
Types of Insurance a Cleaner Should Have
Not all insurance is created equal. Here are the four types that matter when hiring a cleaner, and which ones are essential versus nice-to-have.
Public Liability Insurance
ESSENTIALCoverage: $5M to $20MCovers damage to your property or injury to people while the cleaner is working. This is the most important insurance for any cleaner to hold. If a cleaner breaks your TV, scratches your floors, or causes water damage — public liability covers it.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
RECOMMENDEDCoverage: VariesCovers claims arising from professional advice or service failures. Less common for standard residential cleaning but important for specialist services like carpet cleaning, mould remediation, or commercial cleaning contracts.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
ESSENTIALCoverage: StatutoryRequired by law if the cleaning business has any employees. Covers workplace injuries. If your cleaner is a sole trader with no staff, they're exempt in most states — but you should still ask. Without it, you could be liable if a cleaner's employee is injured at your property.
Contents / Care, Custody & Control Insurance
RECOMMENDEDCoverage: VariesCovers damage to items in the cleaner's care. Standard public liability often excludes items the cleaner is directly working on. This fills that gap — for example, damage to delicate fabrics during upholstery cleaning.
How to Verify a Cleaner's Credentials
It takes 10 minutes to check these five things — and it could save you thousands in damage, disputes, or dodgy work.
- 1
Check their ABN on the Australian Business Register
Go to abr.gov.au and search their ABN. Verify it's active, matches their business name, and is registered for GST (if they charge GST). An inactive or non-existent ABN is a major red flag.
- 2
Ask for a Certificate of Currency
A legitimate cleaner should be able to provide a Certificate of Currency for their public liability insurance within 24 hours. This document shows the insurer, policy number, coverage amount, and expiry date. If they can't or won't provide one — walk away.
- 3
Check Google Reviews and social media
Look for their Google Business Profile, Facebook page, or other review platforms. Check for recent reviews (last 6 months), how they respond to negative feedback, and whether the reviews seem genuine. Be wary of businesses with zero online presence.
- 4
Ask for references from similar jobs
A professional cleaner should be happy to provide 2-3 references from recent clients. For bond cleans, ask specifically for references from real estate agents they've worked with. For regular domestic cleaning, ask for long-term client references.
- 5
Get a written quote with scope of work
Never accept a verbal quote. Get everything in writing — what rooms are included, what tasks are covered, what products they use, the total price, and any extras. This protects both you and the cleaner if there's a dispute.
What Happens If Your Cleaner Isn't Insured?
If an uninsured cleaner damages your property or is injured in your home, you could be left covering the costs:
- ✗Property damage (broken items, scratched floors, water damage) comes out of your pocket
- ✗If a cleaner's employee is injured at your home and they have no workers' comp, you may be liable
- ✗No ABN means no tax invoice — you lose any tax deduction for rental property cleaning
- ✗Cash-only operators are harder to pursue if something goes wrong — no paper trail
A professional cleaner with proper insurance may cost slightly more per hour — but the protection is worth every cent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cleaners need a licence in Australia?
No. There is no specific "cleaning licence" in any Australian state or territory. Cleaners need an ABN to operate as a business, and they should carry public liability insurance, but there's no government-issued trade licence for general cleaning. Some specialist work (like asbestos removal or biohazard cleaning) does require separate licences.
What insurance should a cleaner have?
At minimum: public liability insurance ($5M–$20M coverage). If they have employees, workers' compensation is legally required. Professional indemnity and contents insurance are bonuses. Ask for a Certificate of Currency — any legitimate cleaner will provide one within 24 hours.
Should I ask my cleaner for a police check?
For residential cleaning — especially if the cleaner will have access to your home while you're out — yes, absolutely. A National Police Check costs around $42 and is valid for 3 years. Reputable cleaning companies require police checks for all staff as standard practice.
What about a Working with Children Check?
If the cleaner will be working in a home where children are present and potentially unsupervised, a Working with Children Check (WWCC) is recommended. Each state has its own WWCC scheme. Cleaning companies that service families should hold these as standard for their staff.
Is a cleaner an employee or independent contractor?
When you hire through a cleaning company or platform, you're engaging a contractor — the company handles tax, super, and insurance. But if you hire someone directly and control their hours, methods, and tools, the ATO may classify them as your employee. This creates obligations for tax withholding, superannuation, and workers' comp. When in doubt, use a registered cleaning business.
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