Do Cleaners Need a Police Check in Australia
There's no single national law requiring every cleaner in Australia to hold a police check. In practice, many clients, agencies and commercial contracts ask for one anyway, particularly for work in homes while occupants are away, aged care and healthcare facilities, schools, and larger commercial or government contracts. If you want access to that kind of work, having a current police check ready removes a barrier before it comes up.
Key takeaways
- A police check is not universally required for every cleaner but is common in trust-sensitive work.
- A check is a point-in-time result, and clients may set their own recency requirements.
- Work involving children or vulnerable people can require separate jurisdiction-specific screening.
There's no single national law requiring every cleaner in Australia to hold a police check. In practice, many clients, agencies and commercial contracts ask for one anyway, particularly for work in homes while occupants are away, aged care and healthcare facilities, schools, and larger commercial or government contracts. If you want access to that kind of work, having a current police check ready removes a barrier before it comes up.
What it actually is
A National Police Check, also called a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, is a point-in-time record of any disclosable court outcomes against your name. It's not a background check in the broader sense, just criminal history as recorded by police services across Australia.
What it costs
The AFP-listed fee was A$42 at the time of review. Accredited providers set their own prices, and faster processing can cost more. Processing times vary, so check the current fee and timeframe directly before applying.
How long it's valid
There's no fixed legal expiry date. It's a point-in-time check, accurate as of the day it was issued. In practice, most clients and organisations only accept one issued within the last six to twelve months, so if you're actively pursuing agency or commercial work, plan to renew it roughly once a year.
When it actually matters
Residential clients booking a standard house clean rarely ask for one upfront, though showing you have one adds trust, particularly for a new customer letting a stranger into their home unsupervised. Real estate agencies, aged care providers, and larger commercial contracts are far more likely to require it as a condition of working with you. Some categories of work, like anything involving vulnerable people or children specifically, require additional, separate checks beyond a standard police check, so confirm exact requirements for that specific type of work before assuming a standard check is sufficient.
The bottom line
Residential clients booking a standard house clean rarely ask for one upfront, though showing you have one adds trust, particularly for a new customer letting a stranger into their home unsupervised. Real estate agencies, aged care providers, and larger commercial contracts are far more likely to require it as a condition of working with you. Some categories of work, like anything involving vulnerable people or children specifically, require additional, separate checks beyond a standard police check, so confirm exact requirements for that specific type of work before assuming a standard check is sufficient.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions about this topic.
No. They're separate checks with separate purposes. If your work involves children specifically, check whether a Working with Children Check is required in addition to, or instead of, a standard police check.
Sources and further reading
We prioritise official, primary, and current sources. Links were last checked on the dates shown.
- Nationally coordinated criminal history checks — Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Checked 2 August 2026.
- National Police Checks — Australian Federal Police. 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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