ATO benchmarks for dry cleaners
Laundries and dry cleaners are paid per garment or per load by households and businesses, and their main costs are rent, power, water, cleaning chemicals, machine upkeep and staff time.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,000 to $150,000 | 2023-24 | 62% | 76% |
| $65,000 to $150,000 | 2022-23 | 63% | 78% |
| $150,001 to $600,000 | 2023-24 | 63% | 79% |
| $150,001 to $600,000 | 2022-23 | 64% | 79% |
| More than $600,000 | 2023-24 | 75% | 87% |
| More than $600,000 | 2022-23 | 74% | 87% |
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 rent, power and water, solvents and detergents, hangers and garment covers, machine servicing, insurance and staff costs.
- Washers, dryers, pressing equipment and dry-cleaning machines are kept apart from repairs and servicing, because they are equipment rather than costs of the period.
- Bills for chemicals, power and machine servicing are entered as they arrive, and invoices to commercial customers such as restaurants are tracked until paid.
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.