Healthcare cleaning rates vary significantly across Australia’s major cities due to differences in labour costs, demand, and service scope. For healthcare facility managers and procurement teams, understanding these city-specific price ranges is essential for budgeting and selecting the right service provider.

This guide breaks down the typical hourly rates for healthcare cleaning services in 2025 across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, and outlines the factors influencing these rates.

Healthcare Cleaning Rates by City in 2025

Sydney (NSW): Hourly Rate Range: $55+ per cleaner

Healthcare cleaning rates in Sydney align with other major metropolitan areas, starting from $55+ per hour due to the specialised skills, compliance, and equipment required. Larger healthcare facilities, after-hours cleaning, and specialised disinfection tasks can push quotes significantly higher. While wage rates are consistent nationwide, Sydney’s higher overheads, cost-of-living pressures, and strong service demand maintain rates at the premium end of the spectrum.

Melbourne (VIC): Hourly Rate Range: $55+ per cleaner

Melbourne’s healthcare cleaning rates are consistent with Sydney and Brisbane, with $55+ per hour being typical across metropolitan providers. Routine clinic cleaning sits at this base rate, while complex services such as terminal cleans or infection control procedures cost more. Competitive market dynamics help keep rates stable, but high service standards and compliance requirements ensure prices remain at this professional level.

Brisbane (QLD): Hourly Rate Range: $55+ per cleaner

Brisbane’s metropolitan healthcare cleaning rates match those of Sydney and Melbourne, with $55+ per hour being the standard. While the city benefits from slightly lower operating overheads than Sydney, specialised healthcare cleaning—especially for aged care facilities, medical centres, and hospitals—remains priced consistently due to nationwide wage standards and training requirements.

Additional Cost Considerations

  • Per Job or Per Square Metre Pricing: Some providers offer alternative pricing models for larger facilities, but these often average out to similar hourly ranges.
  • Facility Size, Complexity, and Surface Types: Small clinics requiring light cleaning will naturally be quoted at the lower end, whereas larger hospitals needing intensive cleans and strict disinfection protocols will push rates higher. The type of floor surfaces – such as vinyl, carpets, or tiles – also plays a significant role in pricing, affecting not only daily cleaning requirements but also the cost of periodic deep cleaning and maintenance of these surfaces.
  • Service Scope: Specialised tasks like terminal cleaning, biohazard waste handling, and infection outbreak disinfection are priced at a premium.

Why Partnering with a Specialist Matters

While pricing is an important consideration, selecting a healthcare cleaning partner should also focus on:

  • Infection control expertise
  • Compliance with Australian healthcare standards
  • Quality assurance processes and auditing

A lower hourly rate does not always equate to better value if it compromises safety, compliance, or cleaning effectiveness.

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