ATO benchmarks for commercial cleaners
Commercial cleaners are usually paid under regular contracts for workplaces, shops and other buildings, while staff and subcontractor costs, cleaning chemicals, equipment and vehicles are their main costs.
General information
Total expenses as a share of turnover
Low and high end of each published range
| Turnover range | Financial year | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 to $115,000 | 2023-24 | 30% | 53% |
| $50,000 to $115,000 | 2022-23 | 31% | 54% |
| $115,001 to $250,000 | 2023-24 | 46% | 69% |
| $115,001 to $250,000 | 2022-23 | 47% | 69% |
| More than $250,000 | 2023-24 | 69% | 85% |
| More than $250,000 | 2022-23 | 70% | 86% |
Australian Taxation Office, Small Business Benchmarks, key ratios for 2023-24 and 2022-23 (data.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
What sits behind these figures in the books
- The main day-to-day expenses are staff costs and subcontractor bills, chemicals and consumables such as bin liners and paper towel, equipment repairs, vehicles and insurance.
- Contract cleaning is invoiced on a regular cycle and matched to each customer's payments, and consumables supplied to customers are recorded against the building they went to.
- Scrubbers, vacuums and other machines bought to keep are recorded apart from chemicals and consumables, so equipment purchases sit separately from running costs.
Sources
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2023-24 financial year, released 16 March 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2022-23 financial year, released 17 March 2025. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
Get your books in order
Cost of sales and total expenses are only as reliable as the books behind them. Tell us how your business runs and we will suggest a bookkeeping plan that fits.