Commercial Cleaners
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Commercial Cleaners clean offices, residential complexes, hospitals, schools, industrial work areas, industrial machines, construction sites and other commercial premises using heavy duty cleaning equipment.
Specialisations: Aircraft Cabin Cleaner, School Cleaner.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Commercial Cleaner. Some workers have a certificate II or III in cleaning operations.
Tasks
-
vacuuming carpets, curtains and upholstered furniture
-
cleaning, dusting and polishing furniture, fixtures and fittings
-
removing rubbish and recyclable material, and emptying containers, bins and trays
-
stripping wax from floors, re-waxing and polishing floors
-
cleaning and disinfecting laundry and bathroom fixtures, replenishing supplies and reporting defective plumbing fixtures
-
operating industrial vacuum cleaners to clean floors, work areas and machines
-
removing dust and dirt from ceilings, walls, overhead pipes and fixtures
-
applying acids and solvents to surfaces to remove stains and dirt
-
removing lint, dust, soot, oil, grease, sludge and other residues from machines, hulls and holds of ships, and interiors and exteriors of furnaces, boilers and tanks
-
may clean exteriors of buildings by sand-blasting and applying solvents
Characteristics
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Light
-
Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow moderately
- is likely to reach 175,700 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 155,600 |
2012 | 166,600 |
2013 | 155,800 |
2014 | 145,800 |
2015 | 137,800 |
2016 | 147,600 |
2017 | 157,600 |
2018 | 155,100 |
2019 | 160,600 |
2020 | 173,800 |
2021 | 163,800 |
2026 | 175,700 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 33% of people employed as Commercial Cleaners work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 33 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,013 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $876
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,237
Median hourly earnings are $27, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Commercial Cleaners | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,013 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
-
Commercial Cleaners work in industries like:
- Administrative and support services
- Health care and social assistance
- Education and training
- Accommodation and food services.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Commercial Cleaners | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 21.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 23.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.4 | 1.9 |
-
Around 47% of Commercial Cleaners live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Commercial Cleaners is 47 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 57% of the workforce. This is 9 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Commercial Cleaners | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 16.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 23.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 10.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 7.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 47 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Commercial Cleaner. Some workers have a certificate II or III in cleaning operations.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Property Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Commercial Cleaners | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 9.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 14.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 22.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 36.2 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Commercial Cleaners who are reliable, trustworthy and have a good work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
34%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
32%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
30%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
30%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
30%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
29%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
29%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
29%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
27%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
27%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
27%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
20%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
20%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
18%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
16%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
16%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
39%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
38%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
37%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
34%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
31%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
26%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
25%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
21%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
18%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
18%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
17%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
17%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
16%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
16%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
15%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
15%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
14%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
14%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
12%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
-
10%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
45%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
43%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
39%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
37%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
37%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
37%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
36%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
36%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
34%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
32%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
30%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
30%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
-
29%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
64%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
52%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
50%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
44%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
43%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
43%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
42%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
42%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
40%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
40%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
32%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
32%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
32%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
31%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
30%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
30%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
29%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
29%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
27%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
27%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
43%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
29%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
29%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
24%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
19%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
96%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
85%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
84%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
83%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
82%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
81%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
80%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
80%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
79%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
79%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
77%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
76%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
75%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
74%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
72%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
71%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
69%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
67%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
66%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
66%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 37-2011.00 - Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.