How Much to Charge for Airbnb Cleaning: Australian Pricing Guide

Average Airbnb Cleaning Rates in Australia (With Context)

To provide a realistic picture of what Airbnb cleaning services charge in Australia, here is a benchmark table based on research from Australian cleaning providers, host communities, and professional STR cleaning services.

Before viewing the table, note: these are flat-fee prices for standard turnover cleaning, including general clean and linen reset, but excluding deep cleaning or urgent/after-hours work.

These prices reflect Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane averages. Regional areas may vary depending on cleaner availability and travel requirements.

How to Set Airbnb Cleaning Rates Step-by-Step

Setting Airbnb cleaning prices should be a structured process. Whether you're a professional cleaner quoting for a new host or a host building a cleaning team, follow these five steps to ensure your pricing is consistent, competitive, and reflects the true service value.

Step 1: Define the Scope of Work

Start by listing what each cleaning session includes:

• General cleaning of all rooms
  
  
• Linen strip, wash, and remake
  
  
• Rubbish removal and consumable restocking
  
  
• Bathroom and kitchen sanitation
  
  
• Property reset to Airbnb-ready condition
  
  

Decide whether additional services like deep cleaning, window cleaning, or external maintenance are part of the package.

Step 2: Match Property Type to Base Pricing

Use a base pricing matrix for each property category. Start with general market averages and adjust based on:

• Number of bathrooms
  
  
• Cleaning time estimates
  
  
• Travel or parking costs
  
  

For example, a 2-bedroom apartment with one bathroom may be quoted at $95, while a 3-bedroom home with two bathrooms may be closer to $140.

Step 3: Identify Special Requirements or Loadings

Review if the job includes:

• Same-day turnarounds
  
  
• After-hours or weekend cleans
  
  
• Key handover or guest communication
  
  
• Deep cleaning or post-party resets
  
  

Apply surcharges as required. A 15%–20% increase is common for urgent or unscheduled cleans.

Step 4: Offer Service Tiers or Packages

To give hosts flexibility, create two to three cleaning packages:

• Basic Turnover (clean + bins)
  
  
• Standard (clean + linen + restock)
  
  
• Premium (full reset + consumables + damage reporting)
  
  

Each package should have a clear, flat fee and clearly list inclusions.

Step 5: Communicate and Adjust with the Host

After quoting, check feedback from the host. Adjust based on:



• Booking volume (e.g., weekly vs monthly)
  
  
• Long-term agreements
  
  
• Repeat business or multiple properties
  
  

Having fixed pricing in place helps hosts set accurate Airbnb cleaning fees in their listing while ensuring cleaners are fairly compensated.

Flat-Fee vs Hourly Rate: Which Pricing Model Works for STRs?

In short-term rental cleaning, flat-fee pricing is preferred over hourly billing. This model rewards efficiency, aligns with calendar-based bookings, and fits checklist-based workflows.

Flat fees are easier for hosts to manage in Airbnb's pricing tool, and they prevent disputes over cleaning duration. Most cleaners base their flat fee on an estimated time and build in allowances for travel, consumables, and linen.

Hourly billing is only recommended for:

• One-off deep cleans
  
  
• Mid-stay service calls
  
  
• Emergency resets or guest-caused damage
  
  

For standard turnovers, flat-fee pricing remains the best-fit model.

Cleaning Industry Tips for Charging Fair Airbnb Rates

To stay competitive while protecting your margin, Airbnb cleaners should:



• Benchmark against similar properties and local competitors
  
  
• Automate schedule syncing via tools like Turno or Hospitality
  
  
• Use photo documentation and cleaning checklists to demonstrate value
  
  
• Offer early check-in/late check-out flexibility (for a fee)
  
  
• Price based on quality, not just time
  
  

Undercutting competitors can lead to burnout, poor service, or unsustainable business. Instead, charge based on reliability, professional equipment, and five-star results.

FAQs About How Much to Charge for Airbnb Cleaning

Before wrapping up, here are the most commonly asked questions about Airbnb cleaning rates—especially from new STR cleaners, hosts managing their first listing, or cleaners transitioning from domestic jobs to Airbnb work.

How do I calculate how much to charge for Airbnb cleaning?

Start with an estimate of total job time, including cleaning, laundry, and travel. Multiply this by your desired hourly rate (usually $35–$55/hr in major cities), then add fixed costs for laundry, consumables, or transport. Convert this figure into a flat fee based on property size. Compare your rate with local STR cleaners to ensure you’re competitive. If you’re unsure how fees fit into the overall guest pricing model, it’s also useful to understand what is the cleaning fee for Airbnb is from both the host and guest perspectives.

Can I charge extra for last-minute Airbnb bookings?

Yes. Same-day or after-hours bookings create scheduling pressure and often require a rapid response. Many cleaners apply a 10%–25% surcharge for urgent bookings or changeovers with less than 24 hours’ notice. The surcharge should be clearly communicated in advance or built into a flexible pricing agreement with the host. Cleaners with access to synced Airbnb calendars can manage bookings more proactively and justify premium pricing.

Is it better to charge per hour or per job?

For Airbnb turnover cleans, charging per job (flat-fee pricing) is more efficient and aligns with the expectations of hosts and property managers. It provides a clear cost per booking, removes time-based ambiguity, and rewards fast, effective cleaners. Hourly rates can lead to inconsistency and may not reflect the value of the outcome. Use hourly rates only for one-off or non-standard jobs like deep cleans, spring cleans, or damage recovery.

How much do Airbnb cleaners earn per property?

Cleaners typically earn between $60 and $180 per property, depending on size, services included, and location. For example, a 1BR turnover with basic cleaning may pay $65–$85, while a 4BR luxury home with linen, restocking, and a full reset may pay up to $250. High-performing cleaners working full-time on Airbnb contracts can service 2–3 listings per day, making this a viable business if scheduled efficiently.

How should I price if I offer linen and restocking?

If your service includes linen laundering and consumables, your fee should reflect this. Estimate laundry time, cost per load, and supply costs. Then package these into a higher-tier cleaning option. For example:

• Standard Clean: $120
  
  
• Clean + Linen: $145
  
  
• Clean + Linen + Restocking: $170
  
  

Clearly list what's included in each tier so hosts understand the value. Keep your pricing transparent and update it annually to reflect rising costs.

Build a Reliable Airbnb Cleaning Rate with Everyday Clean

At Everyday Clean, we help hosts and professional cleaners align on fair, predictable Airbnb turnover pricing. Our Sydney-based team uses structured cleaning protocols, flat-rate pricing, and reliable scheduling tools to support same-day turnovers, linen resets, and restocking—on time, every time.

Whether you're quoting as a cleaner or setting your fee as a host, we help define what’s fair, consistent, and scalable.

Contact Everyday Clean to request a tailored quote or join our Airbnb cleaner network.

Author: Everyday Clean Content Team

Everyday Clean is Sydney’s trusted provider of commercial cleaning solutions, including Airbnb, gyms, offices, and strata properties. Our licensed professionals use eco-friendly, industry-grade tools to deliver safe, spotless, and compliance-ready results. With years of experience across Sydney’s rental, hospitality, and commercial sectors, we help businesses and hosts maintain spaces guests trust.