Airbnb Cleaning Fee Australia: Exact Costs & Host Pricing Guide
The Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time charge added to a booking to cover post-checkout cleaning, linen washing, restocking essentials, and preparing the property for the next guest. In Australia, the Airbnb cleaning fee typically ranges from $70–$250, with larger homes, premium coastal stays, and high-turnover properties exceeding $300 due to increased labour time, multiple bathrooms, outdoor areas, and heavier laundry loads. The fee appears as a separate line item in the booking total and varies based on property size, stay length, and the level of cleaning required to maintain guest-ready presentation. At Everyday Clean, we provide professional Airbnb cleaning services across Australia to ensure every property is guest-ready.
Search behaviour shows that both guests and hosts want clear guidance on how much an Airbnb cleaning fee should be, why fees differ so widely, and what the charge actually covers. This guide provides a precise, cost-specific breakdown of Australian Airbnb cleaning fees, supported by real market data, cleaner hourly rates, turnover time estimates, and transparent pricing formulas. It helps guests understand the true value of the fee while giving hosts a realistic framework for setting fair, competitive cleaning charges.
Exact Airbnb Cleaning Fee Costs in Australia (Direct Breakdown)
Airbnb cleaning fees vary across metropolitan cities and regional tourist destinations, but patterns remain consistent when analysing labour time, cleaner availability, and linen volume. Properties with 1–2 bedrooms generally require lighter resets and lower fees, while homes with 4+ bedrooms demand more time, increased laundry output, and complex presentation resets.
Before detailing fee inclusions, the table below summarises real Australian Airbnb cleaning prices based on professional cleaning industry rates ($35–$55/hr), standard turnover workflows, and Australian property layouts. Our Airbnb cleaning services cover full turnover cleaning, linen washing, high-touch disinfection, and more, tailored for hosts of all property sizes.
Airbnb Cleaning Fee Price Table
| Property Type | Typical Fee Range | Cleaning Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom apartment | $70–$110 | 1.5–2.5 hrs | 1 bathroom, moderate linen load |
| 2-bedroom apartment/townhouse | $110–$150 | 2–3.5 hrs | Extra bedrooms, more surfaces, kitchen reset |
| 3-bedroom home | $150–$200 | 3–4 hrs | Higher laundry, multiple bathrooms |
| 4–5 bedroom home | $200–$250 | 4–5 hrs | Large floor space, full-house turnover |
| Luxury / coastal / pool homes | $250–$350+ | 4–6 hrs | Outdoor areas, premium linen, BBQ, pool/spa |
These price brackets reflect actual cleaning workloads and the increasing operational demand for Airbnb turnovers in high-tourism regions such as Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Cairns, Hobart, Mornington Peninsula, and Margaret River. They serve as a clear baseline for evaluating cleaning fee fairness.
What the Airbnb Cleaning Fee Actually Covers
The Airbnb cleaning fee funds the complete turnover process required to prepare the property after checkout. Unlike regular household cleaning, Airbnb turnovers combine hotel-standard presentation with residential deep-cleaning tasks. This means the fee represents not just “tidying” but a structured workflow designed to restore the property to its advertised condition. To ensure every property is spotless, check out our Airbnb cleaning checklist for a step-by-step guide to professional turnover cleaning.
Core tasks included in the cleaning fee
A typical Australian Airbnb turnover includes:
- Full linen washing and drying: bed sheets, doona covers, pillowcases, towels, bath mats, tea towels
- Bathroom sanitation: scrubbing showers, toilets, taps, tiles, grout, mirrors, and ventilation outlets
- Kitchen cleaning: stovetops, ovens/microwaves, sinks, splashbacks, cupboards, fridge handles and surfaces
- High-touch disinfection: remotes, switches, door handles, keypads, appliance controls
- Floor care: vacuuming carpets, mopping hard floors, polishing surfaces, spot-cleaning marks
- Rubbish removal and bin sanitisation
- Dusting: shelves, lamps, skirting boards, vents, decor
- Replenishment of consumables: bin liners, dishwashing liquid, coffee pods/tea, toilet paper
- Restaging according to listing photos: cushion placement, dining setup, towels arranged neatly
Additional tasks for complex properties
Large, coastal, pet-friendly, or amenity-heavy Airbnb listings require enhanced cleaning tasks that justify higher fees. These include:
- Outdoor sweeping, balcony sanding removal, and furniture cleaning
BBQ degreasing and outdoor kitchen wipe-down - Spa and pool area maintenance
- Sand vacuum extraction (common in beachfront homes)
- Pet deodorising, hair removal, and sanitisation
- Carpet stain treatment or upholstery spot-cleaning
- Window cleaning for salt exposure in coastal suburbs
These tasks significantly extend cleaning time, explaining why fees exceed $250 in luxury or coastal markets.
Why Airbnb Cleaning Fees Vary So Much Between Listings
Cleaning fees vary because each property presents unique turnover requirements. Differences in layout, guest behaviour patterns, booking frequency, laundry volume, and local labour rates all influence the final fee. A 2-bedroom Melbourne CBD apartment used primarily by business travellers requires far less cleaning than a 4-bedroom Byron Bay beach house hosting families weekly.
Factors influencing price variations
Key variables include:
•
Property size: More bedrooms = more linen and more bathrooms to sanitise.
•
Turnover frequency: Popular listings with same-day turnovers rely on premium cleaners available at short notice.
•
Guest type: Families create higher kitchen usage; couples generate low cleaning volume; long stays require deeper cleaning on departure.
•
Pet policies: Pet-friendly listings require fur removal, deodorising, and sanitisation.
•
Location: Coastal homes gather sand; rural homes gather dust; city properties need frequent high-touch cleaning.
•
Professional vs DIY cleaning: Hiring commercial cleaners increases the cost but ensures consistency.
Therefore, two properties 10 minutes apart may have cleaning fees that differ by more than $80 based solely on cleaning workload and linen output.
Airbnb Cleaning Fee vs Hotel Cleaning Cost: Clear Comparison
Hotels and Airbnbs operate under different cost structures. Hotels incorporate cleaning into nightly rates and benefit from scale: identical room layouts, in-house laundry, shift-based housekeepers, and predictable occupancy.
Airbnb properties, however, require full-house cleaning after every checkout, including kitchens, multiple bedrooms, outdoor areas, and full linen resets. This inherent difference shapes the cleaning fee structure.
Comparison overview
Hotels complete daily partial cleans and a single full checkout clean, spreading labour across hundreds of bookings monthly. Airbnb hosts must recoup the entire cleaning cost from a single booking, making per-stay cleaning more expensive. Additionally, Airbnbs require cleaning tasks hotels don’t, including dishwashing checks, fridge resets, pantry cleaning, outdoor sweeping, and pet-related tasks. This difference explains why Airbnb cleaning fees appear higher, even though the underlying workload is greater. Guests comparing both accommodation types benefit from understanding how turnover labour drives these cost differences.
How Hosts Calculate a Fair Airbnb Cleaning Fee
Hosts benefit from a fair, predictable formula that aligns cleaning fees with actual costs. Professional Australian Airbnb cleaning follows a consistent model that takes into account labour, laundry volume, and consumables. Hosts can refer to our detailed guide on how much to charge for Airbnb cleaning to set fair, competitive rates.
Australian Cleaning Fee Formula
(Cleaning hours × hourly rate) + (Laundry loads × $8–$12) + $5–$10 consumables = Cleaning Fee
Below is a table showing how this works for common Airbnb property sizes.
Airbnb Cleaning Fee Calculation Table
| Property Type | Labour Hours × Rate | Laundry Cost | Supplies | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | 3 hrs × $45 = $135 | 2 loads = $20 | $8 | $163 → $160–$165 |
| 4-Bedroom Home | 4.5 hrs × $50 = $225 | 4–5 loads = $40–$50 | $10 | $275–$285 → $280–$290 |
How Airbnb Cleaning Fees Influence Booking Behaviour
Cleaning fees affect booking conversions because travellers compare total cost, not just nightly rates. High fees discourage short stays but become less significant for week-long bookings. Guests respond positively when listings justify cleaning fees with clear standards, detailed descriptions, and strong cleanliness reviews.
Booking behaviour insights
Guests are more likely to accept higher cleaning fees when the listing emphasises professional cleaning, hotel-level presentation, or premium amenities. Conversely, listings with vague cleaning descriptions or fees that exceed market norms tend to experience higher abandonment rates. Transparency about what the cleaning fee covers — especially laundry, sanitation, and outdoor resets — helps manage expectations and reinforces trust. For hosts, optimising the cleaning fee can be a competitive advantage, especially when combined with strong photography, fast response times, and consistent cleanliness ratings.
FAQs About Airbnb Cleaning Fee
To help both hosts and guests better understand how cleaning charges work, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about Airbnb cleaning fees. These FAQs will clarify what’s included, why the fee varies, and how it affects your overall booking experience.
What is the average Airbnb cleaning fee?
The average Airbnb cleaning fee in Australia ranges from $110–$180. Apartments commonly fall between $90–$140, while full homes range from $150–$220. Luxury listings or properties with pools, large decks, or outdoor kitchens may reach $250–$350. These averages reflect cleaner hourly rates, laundry output, and property presentation standards.
Why are Airbnb cleaning fees so high?
Cleaning fees cover full-property turnover: linen washing, sanitising bathrooms, kitchen resets, rubbish removal, outdoor cleaning, and disinfecting high-touch areas. Airbnb hosts must recover the entire cleaning cost per stay, unlike hotels that distribute these expenses across hundreds of bookings. Additionally, Australian labour and utility costs contribute to higher cleaning fees.
Does the Airbnb cleaning fee go to the host?
Yes. Hosts receive the full cleaning fee and usually use it to pay professional cleaners or cover their own cleaning time. Airbnb does not take a percentage of the cleaning fee.
Are Airbnb cleaning fees refundable?
Cleaning fees are generally non-refundable unless the booking is cancelled before check-in, according to the host’s cancellation policy. Once a stay begins, the cleaning fee remains due because turnover cleaning is required regardless of guest behaviour.
Final Notes on Airbnb Cleaning Fee Transparency
Transparent, fair Airbnb cleaning fees create better guest experiences and help hosts maintain consistent operations. In Australia, most Airbnb cleaning fees reasonably fall between
$70 and $250, with luxury listings reaching
$300+. When cleaning fees reflect actual labour, laundry costs, and property demands, hosts achieve stronger reviews and better occupancy — while guests enjoy predictable pricing and high standards of cleanliness.
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