
End-of-lease cleaning in Australia generally costs between $200 and $1,000 or more, depending on the property’s size, location, condition, additional services, and whether carpet steam cleaning is required.
End-of-Lease clean costs for small apartments usually start around $200 to $350, while larger homes can exceed $800 to $1,000. Most professional cleaners offer either fixed-price packages or hourly rates between $20 and $60 per hour, although fixed pricing is generally preferred because there are no unexpected costs once the job is underway.
Quick Answer: How Much Does End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost?
Across Australia, professional end-of-lease cleaning generally costs between $200 and $1,000 or more, depending on the property’s size, condition, location, and any additional services such as carpet steam cleaning or window cleaning.
| Property | Average Cost |
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $200–350 |
| 2 Bedroom | $250–400 |
| 3 Bedroom | $350–600 |
| 4 Bedroom | $500–800 |
| Large Homes | $700–1,000+ |
What Is the Average End-of-Lease Clean Cost in Australia?
| Property Type | Average Cost |
| Small Apartment | $200–$350 |
| 2 Bedroom | $250–$450 |
| 3 Bedroom | $350–$650 |
| 4 Bedroom | $500–$800 |
| 5–6 Bedroom | $800–$1,000+ |
These figures represent a national average and will shift depending on your state, the general condition of the property, and whether you bundle in extras such as carpet steam cleaning or exterior window cleaning.
How Much Does Exit Cleaning Cost by Property Size?
| Property Size | Cleaning Only | With Carpet Cleaning |
| Studio / 1 Bed | $300 | $350 |
| 2 Bed | $300 | $350 |
| 2 Bed / 2 Bath | $340 | $390 |
| 3 Bed | $340 | $380 |
| 3 Bed / 2 Bath | $380 | $440 |
| 4 Bed | $380 | $430 |
These prices are indicative only, and the actual quote you receive will depend on the specific property. Two properties with the same number of bedrooms can be priced quite differently once condition is taken into account, and additional living areas, such as a study, rumpus room or extra bathroom, will generally push the price above these baseline figures.
What Are Average Move-Out Cleaning Costs by Property Type?
| Property | Average Cost |
| Small 1 Bedroom Apartment | $150 |
| 1 Bedroom + Carpet | $190–200 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | $210 |
| 2 Bedroom + Carpet | $250 |
| 3 Bedroom House | $260 |
| 3 Bedroom + Carpet | $290 |
| 4 Bedroom House | $340 |
| 4 Bedroom + Carpet | $390 |
Move-out cleaning cost naturally increases with property size, and adding carpet cleaning to the same booking is almost always cheaper than booking it separately, since the cleaning team is already on site. If you are comparing move-out cleaning prices between providers, it is worth checking exactly what is included in the base price, since a low headline figure sometimes excludes items like oven cleaning or window tracks that another provider bundles in as standard. House cleaning move-out price and exit clean cost figures can vary noticeably between operators for exactly this reason.
Should You Choose Hourly Rates or Fixed Price Cleaning?
| Hourly Cleaning | Fixed Price Cleaning |
| $40–60/hr | Fixed quote |
| Time based | Result based |
| Price can increase | Price stays fixed |
| Less predictable | Easier budgeting |
Hourly rates can work well for a light touch-up clean on a well-maintained property, but for a full end-of-lease clean, most tenants prefer a fixed price. A fixed quote means you know the total cost upfront, regardless of how long the job actually takes, which removes the risk of a job running over time and the bill climbing as a result. Fixed pricing also makes it far easier to compare quotes between different cleaning companies on a like-for-like basis.
State-Wise End-of-Lease Cleaning Costs Across Australia
Pricing for end-of-lease cleaning varies noticeably by state and city, largely reflecting differences in labour costs and market competition.
Melbourne End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
| Property | Average Price |
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $270–380 |
| 2 Bedroom | $360–520 |
| 3 Bedroom | $450–650 |
| 4 Bedroom | $550–800+ |
Sydney End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
| Property | Average Price |
| Studio | $280–480 |
| 2 Bedroom | $380–650 |
| 3 Bedroom | $520–820 |
| 4 Bedroom | $750–1,025+ |
Across all property sizes, the average Sydney bond cleaning cost sits between roughly $280 and $1,025, making it one of the more expensive cities in the country for a professional end-of-lease clean.
Adelaide End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
| Property | Average Price |
| 1 Bedroom | $200–350 |
| 2 Bedroom | $250–400 |
| 3 Bedroom | $350–600 |
| 4 Bedroom | $500–800 |
| Large Homes | $700+ |
Brisbane End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
| Property Size | Average Price |
| 2-bedroom apartment | $250–$400 |
| 3-bedroom house | $350–$600 |
| 4-bedroom house | $500–$800 |
| Larger rental properties | $700+ |
Perth End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
| Property | Standard | + Carpet Steam Cleaning (Same Booking) |
| Studio flat | $330 | + $55 |
| 1 Bedroom unit | $369 | + $77 |
| 2 Bedroom unit | $419 | + $148 |
| 3 Bedroom unit | $517 | + $186 |
Hobart End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
Hobart cleaning services are commonly priced at around $35 per cleaner per hour, with typical packages including:
- Studio Apartment: from $210 (around 6 hours)
- 1 Bedroom Apartment: from $245 (around 7 hours)
- 2 or 3 Bedroom Apartment / House: from $280 (around 8 hours)
Canberra End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
Canberra pricing sits in a similar range to Hobart, generally around $35 per cleaner per hour:
- Studio Apartment: from $210 (around 6 hours)
- 1 Bedroom Apartment: from $245 (around 7 hours)
- 2 or 3 Bedroom Apartment / House: from $280 (around 8 hours)
Darwin End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
Darwin follows a comparable structure, with rates from around $35 per cleaner per hour:
- Studio Apartment: from $210 (around 6 hours)
- 1 Bedroom Apartment: from $245 (around 7 hours)
- 2 or 3 Bedroom Apartment / House: from $280 (around 8 hours)
What Does an End-of-Lease Cleaning Service Include?
A proper end-of-lease clean goes well beyond a standard weekly clean. Most professional services follow a detailed end-of-lease cleaning checklist covering every room in the property.
General areas and living spaces:
- Light fittings, ceiling fans and cobweb removal
- Skirting boards, window tracks and mirrors
- Floors, vacuumed and mopped throughout
- Cupboards, wardrobes and furniture areas
- Air conditioners, wiped down and vents cleaned
- Blinds, curtains and shutters
Kitchen:
- Oven, rangehood and stovetop degreased
- Splashback, cupboards inside and out
- Sink and tapware
- Microwave and exhaust fan cleaned
Bathrooms and toilets:
- Toilet, shower, bath and basin sanitised
- Mirrors, soap scum and mould removal
- Drains and towel rails cleaned
Bedrooms and living areas:
- Full detailing of all surfaces, wardrobes and skirting boards
Additional areas, where included in the package:
- Pet cleaning, including hair removal and odour treatment
- Garage, balcony, patio and deck cleaning
- Exterior windows
Not every provider includes every item above as standard, so it is worth checking the specific checklist before booking to confirm what is covered in the quoted price and what would be charged as an extra.
What Factors Affect the Cost of End-of-Lease Cleaning?
Property Size and Number of Rooms
The larger the property, the more time, labour and cleaning supplies are required to bring it up to inspection standard. This applies across the spectrum from a studio through to an apartment, townhouse or full house, and cost typically scales with:
- The number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Additional living areas, such as a rumpus room or study
- Multiple kitchens or kitchenettes, common in larger or dual-occupancy properties
- Hallways, staircases and storage rooms
The key takeaway is straightforward: more rooms generally mean higher cleaning costs, since each additional space adds to the total labour time required.
Overall Condition of the Property
Properties that have been cleaned regularly throughout the tenancy are usually faster and less expensive to clean than those with built-up dirt and grime. Cleaners typically charge more where they need to deal with:
- Heavy grease in kitchens
- Soap scum in bathrooms
- General dust accumulation
- Mould and mildew
- Neglected areas that have not been cleaned in some time
- Built-up grime on walls and skirting boards
Heavily soiled properties may require additional labour hours and specialist cleaning products to reach an acceptable standard, which is reflected in a higher quote.
Number of Bathrooms and Wet Areas
Bathrooms are among the most time-consuming areas during an end-of-lease clean. Properties with more wet areas, including ensuite bathrooms, separate toilets, laundry rooms and additional powder rooms, generally attract a higher price. More wet areas increase labour time due to the descaling, sanitising and mould removal each one requires.
Kitchen Size and Appliance Condition
The kitchen often requires the most detailed cleaning of any room in the property. Pricing is affected by the extent of:
- Oven cleaning
- Stovetop degreasing
- Rangehood filter cleaning
- Splashback detailing
- Cupboards, cleaned inside and out
- Sink and tapware
- Built-in microwave and dishwasher cleaning
Heavily used kitchens with baked-on grease typically cost more to clean, since this kind of buildup takes considerably longer to remove than routine surface grime.
Carpet Cleaning Requirements
Many Australian property managers require professional carpet steam cleaning before vacating a rental, and this is one of the most common add-ons to a standard end-of-lease clean. Cost is generally driven by:
- The number of carpeted rooms
- Carpet size, measured in square metres
- Pet stains and odours
- The extent of deep stain removal required
As a rough guide, carpet steam cleaning is often priced at approximately $2.50 per square metre, and whole-home carpet steam cleaning may average around $450, depending on the overall size of the property.
Window Cleaning Requirements
Window cleaning can significantly affect the final quote, particularly for larger homes. Key factors include:
- Whether interior only or interior and exterior cleaning is required
- The total number of windows
- Double-storey properties, which generally require specialist access equipment
- General accessibility of the windows
- Built-up dirt and water stains
Typical pricing for window cleaning sits around $225 per property, or alternatively $30 to $45 per hour for specialised window cleaning services.
Furnished or Unfurnished Property
Furnished homes generally take longer to clean because cleaners need to work around furniture and clean additional surfaces, including wardrobes, cabinets, appliances, and furniture itself, as well as underneath and behind larger pieces. Unfurnished properties are usually quicker to clean, since cleaners have unobstructed access to every surface.
Pets and Additional Cleaning Requirements
Pets often require extra cleaning beyond a standard bond clean. This may include pet hair removal, odour treatment, carpet deodorising, stain removal and sanitising of affected areas. These services may attract additional charges depending on the extent of pet-related wear in the property.
What Extra Services Can Increase the Cost?
| Extra Service | Typical Additional Cost |
| Carpet steam cleaning | $40–450 |
| Exterior windows | $100–250 |
| Wall washing | $50–150 |
| Balcony cleaning | $50–100 |
| Garage cleaning | $60–150 |
| Heavy grease removal | $50–150 |
| Blind cleaning | $50–120 |
| Mould removal | Quote required |
How Long Does an End-of-Lease Clean Take?
| Property | Average Time |
| 1 Bedroom | 3–6 Hours |
| 2 Bedroom | >4–7 Hours |
| 3 Bedroom | 6–10 Hours |
| 4 Bedroom | 8+ Hours |
Larger properties are often cleaned by a team of two or more cleaners working simultaneously, which reduces the total time on site without reducing the overall labour hours involved. Adding extras such as oven detailing or carpet steam cleaning to the same booking will generally extend these timeframes.
DIY vs Professional End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost
| DIY Cleaning | Professional Cleaning |
| Lower upfront cost | Higher upfront cost |
| Equipment rental | Professional equipment included |
| Time-consuming | Saves time |
| Higher inspection risk | Better inspection outcomes |
| No guarantee | Often includes bond-back or re-clean guarantee |
DIY cleaning can look cheaper on paper, but it usually takes considerably longer than expected, especially for anyone without professional-grade equipment or experience meeting real estate inspection standards. Many tenants underestimate the level of detail property managers look for, which increases the risk of a failed inspection and, ultimately, a bond deduction that can outweigh the money saved by cleaning it yourself.
Can You Save Money on End-of-Lease Cleaning Without Sacrificing Quality?
There are several practical ways to keep costs down without cutting corners on quality:
- Book early to secure better availability and avoid last-minute surcharges
- Declutter before cleaners arrive, so the team can focus on cleaning rather than moving your belongings
- Empty cupboards, giving cleaners full access to every shelf and corner
- Remove rubbish, so bin space and time is not spent on general waste
- Defrost the fridge, particularly if fridge cleaning is included in your package
- Bundle carpet cleaning into the same booking rather than arranging it separately
- Compare inclusions, not just price, since a cheaper quote may exclude items another provider includes as standard
- Request a fixed-price quote, to avoid the cost climbing if the job takes longer than expected
- Choose experienced cleaners with transparent pricing, rather than the lowest number on the page
The “Too Good to Be True” Trap
Very low quotes can be tempting, but they often come at a hidden cost. Unusually cheap pricing can lead to hidden fees added once the job is underway, missed cleaning items that fall outside a stripped-back package, failed inspections that require a second visit, additional reclean costs to fix what should have been done the first time properly, and delayed bond refunds while these issues get sorted out. A slightly higher, transparent quote from an experienced provider is generally the more cost-effective choice once these risks are taken into account.
Is Professional End-of-Lease Cleaning Worth the Cost?
For most tenants, yes. A professional clean protects your bond by meeting the detailed standard property managers inspect against, and it removes a significant source of stress during an already busy move. Beyond the time savings, professional teams bring commercial-grade equipment and products that are simply more effective than typical household supplies, which generally translates into better inspection outcomes.
When weighing up the cost, it is worth comparing the price of a professional clean against the value of a full bond refund. A bond deduction for cleaning issues can easily exceed the cost of hiring a professional end of lease cleaner in the first place, which makes the upfront spend a reasonable trade-off for most renters.
How to Choose the Right End-of-Lease Cleaning Company?
- Transparent pricing, with a clear breakdown of what is and is not included
- Bond-back or re-clean guarantee, so any issues raised at inspection are fixed at no extra cost
- Insurance, protecting you in the unlikely event of damage during the clean
- Customer reviews, giving a realistic picture of reliability and quality
- A detailed cleaning checklist, so you know exactly what will be covered
- Experienced staff, familiar with the standard real estate agents expect
- Fixed-price quotes, removing the risk of the bill increasing on the day
- Clear communication, particularly around access arrangements and timing
- Availability, especially if you are working to a tight moving timeline
- Equipment and products used, since commercial-grade tools generally produce a better result than standard household products
Do You Have to Clean the Property Before Selling or Moving Out?
Vacating a rental and selling a home involve quite different expectations around cleaning. Bond cleaning requirements are set by the tenancy agreement and enforced through the final inspection, since a rental property must generally be returned in a similar state of cleanliness to when the tenancy began, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Selling a home is a different situation entirely. While sellers are generally not legally required to perform an end-of-lease standard clean before a sale, presenting a clean, well-maintained property can significantly improve buyer impressions during inspections and open homes, and can help support a smoother settlement process by leaving a positive impression from the first viewing through to the final walkthrough.
How MADS Cleaning Helps in Your End-of-Lease Clean
MADS Cleaning provides a complete end-of-lease clean, bond clean, pre-sale clean, and handover clean service across Hobart. Whether you are a tenant preparing for a final inspection, a landlord getting a property ready to re-let, or a homeowner presenting a property for sale, our team follows a detailed, inspection-ready checklist covering kitchens, bathrooms, living areas and every corner in between. Get in touch with MADS Cleaning to book your Hobart end-of-lease clean and move out with one less thing to worry about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bond-back guarantee?
A bond-back guarantee means the cleaning company will return to fix any areas flagged during the final inspection at no extra cost, giving tenants confidence that the clean will meet the standard required to secure their bond back in full.
Can I book same-day cleaning?
Many cleaning companies offer same-day or urgent bookings, though availability depends on the provider’s schedule, and last-minute bookings can sometimes carry a small additional cost due to the short notice involved.
Do cleaners need electricity?
Yes, most professional cleaning equipment, including vacuums and steam cleaners, requires access to power. It is worth confirming electricity and water access will be available on the day, particularly if the property has already had utilities disconnected.
What is the difference between end-of-lease cleaning and spring cleaning?
End-of-lease cleaning is a far more thorough, detail-focused service designed specifically to meet real estate inspection standards, covering areas such as oven interiors, window tracks and skirting boards that a standard spring clean would not typically include.
Can landlords require professional end-of-lease cleaning?
Landlords and property managers can request the property be returned to the same standard of cleanliness as at the start of the tenancy, but requirements around specifically mandating a professional clean can vary by state and by the terms of the individual lease agreement, so it is worth checking your specific tenancy agreement if you are unsure.