How Much Does It Cost to Start a Cleaning Business in Australia
Starting a solo cleaning business in Australia typically costs somewhere between A$500 and A$2,500 upfront, depending on how much equipment you already own and which insurance cover level you choose. Here's what that actually breaks down into.
Key takeaways
- Budget for registration, insurance, checks, equipment, software and initial marketing.
- Insurance and a reliable quote-to-invoice workflow should not be deferred.
- Use current official fees and obtain quotes for costs that vary by provider and risk profile.
Starting a solo cleaning business in Australia typically costs somewhere between A$500 and A$2,500 upfront, depending on how much equipment you already own and which insurance cover level you choose. Here's what that actually breaks down into.
The core costs
ABN registration: free. Registering directly through the Australian Business Register costs nothing.
Business name registration: A$44 to A$102 at the time of review. Only needed if you're trading under a name other than your own. ASIC indexes fees, so confirm the current amount before applying.
Public liability insurance: roughly A$500 to A$1,200 a year. The exact cost depends on your cover level (most sole traders choose A$5 million or A$10 million), your expected turnover, and your claims history. See cleaning business insurance for a full breakdown.
Police check: from A$42 through the AFP at the time of review. Accredited providers set their own prices and faster processing can cost more. A check is not always legally required, but is often requested by clients, agencies and commercial contracts. See police checks for cleaners for when you'll actually need one.
Equipment: roughly A$200 to A$800 to start. A reliable vacuum, mop and bucket system, microfibre cloths, general and bathroom chemicals, and basic PPE. Costs vary depending on whether you're buying commercial-grade gear upfront or building up over your first few months. See the full equipment checklist.
Software: from around $4.99 a month for Solo. Covers booking, quoting, scheduling and invoicing in one place. Not compulsory to start, but the cost of not having it (missed enquiries, quotes that take too long, invoices that get forgotten) tends to outweigh the monthly fee quickly.
Marketing: as little or as much as you want. A properly set up Google Business Profile costs nothing but time. Paid ads, printed materials or signage are optional extras, not requirements to get started.
A realistic total
For a solo operator starting with some equipment already owned, registering as a sole trader, and choosing standard insurance cover: expect somewhere around A$800 to A$1,500 to get properly set up and legally covered, plus ongoing monthly costs for insurance and software from there.
What you can delay
You don't need commercial-grade equipment on day one, a printed brochure, or a full custom website before your first job. What you shouldn't delay is insurance and a proper way to quote and invoice, since both protect you and your income from the very first client.
Build a first-month buffer
Keep a small amount aside for replacement supplies, fuel, software and any job-specific purchase that appears before the first invoices are paid. A startup total is more useful when it includes enough working cash to complete the first month, not only enough to buy the first set of equipment.
The bottom line
Keep a small amount aside for replacement supplies, fuel, software and any job-specific purchase that appears before the first invoices are paid. A startup total is more useful when it includes enough working cash to complete the first month, not only enough to buy the first set of equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions about this topic.
Not entirely, but the minimum viable setup (ABN, basic equipment you likely already own, and a simple way to take bookings) can be done for a few hundred dollars if you're resourceful about it.
Sources and further reading
We prioritise official, primary, and current sources. Links were last checked on the dates shown.
- Business name fees and payment options — Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Checked 2 August 2026.
- Types of business insurance — Australian Government business.gov.au. Checked 27 July 2026.
- National Police Checks — Australian Federal Police. Checked 2 August 2026.
- Tidyly pricing — Tidyly. Checked 2 August 2026.
About the author
Tidyly Editorial Team
The Tidyly Editorial Team creates practical guidance for Australian cleaning businesses using product experience, first-party examples, and current primary sources.
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