Commercial Cleaners

ANZSCO ID 8112

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
152,800
Future Growth
7.3%
Weekly Earnings
$1,013
Full-Time Share
32%
Female Share
57%
Average age
47

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

Job Type
Labourers
Skill Level
Entry level
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Above average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
Physical Demand
  • Light
  • Medium

Outlook

Employment 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.

Projected Change
7.3%
(or 11,900 jobs)
From
163,800
in 2021
To
175,700
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
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)

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.
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

1
Administrative and Support Services
50.3%
2
Health Care and Social Assistance
11.2%
3
Education and Training
10.1%
4
Accommodation and Food Services
9.9%
5
Other industries
18.5%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

29.9% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

21.9% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

23.1% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

7.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

12.2% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.8% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.9% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.4% All occupations: 1.9%

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

Age In Years
47
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
57%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
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)

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.
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 others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 32%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 30%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 30%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 30%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 30%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 30%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 30%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 29%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 29%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 29%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 29%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 27%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 27%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 27%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 20%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 20%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 18%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 16%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 16%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 39%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 38%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 37%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 34%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 31%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 26%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 25%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 21%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 18%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 18%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 17%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 17%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 16%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 16%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 15%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 15%

    Foreign language

    Foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

  • 14%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • 14%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 12%

    Therapy and counselling

    Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.

  • 10%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 45%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 43%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 43%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 43%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 41%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 41%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 41%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 39%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 39%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 37%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 37%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 37%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 36%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 36%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 36%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 34%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 32%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 30%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 30%

    Whole body coordination

    Move your arms, legs, and body together.

  • 29%

    Control precision

    Quickly 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 objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 52%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 50%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 44%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 43%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 43%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 42%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 42%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 40%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 40%

    Working with the public

    Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.

  • 32%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 32%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 32%

    Scheduling work and activities

    Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

  • 31%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 30%

    Helping and caring for others

    Providing personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.

  • 30%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 29%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 29%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

  • 27%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 27%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking 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%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 52%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 38%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 19%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 14%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 14%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 62%

    Relationships

    Serve 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%

    Support

    Supportive 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%

    Independence

    Work 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 conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 24%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 19%

    Recognition

    Advancement 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

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 96%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 85%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 84%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 83%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 82%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 81%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 80%

    Walking and running

    Spend time walking and running.

  • 80%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 79%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 79%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 77%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 76%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 75%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 74%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 72%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 71%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 69%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 67%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 66%

    Bending or twisting your body

    Spend time bending or twisting your body.

  • 66%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

Occupational Information Network
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.


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