100% free cleaning job description templates
Complete job description templates for Australian cleaning businesses. Covering commercial, residential, specialist and supervisory roles. Aligned with the Cleaning Services Award 2020. 100% free, fully editable and ready to download.
Browse templatesCleaning job descriptions for australian businesses
The cleaning industry in Australia employs hundreds of thousands of workers across commercial, residential, industrial and specialist sectors. From office buildings to healthcare facilities, hotels to schools, professional cleaning services are essential for maintaining safe, hygienic environments.
Most cleaning workers are covered by the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022), which sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, and conditions based on classification levels. Some cleaners may fall under industry-specific awards depending on where they work (e.g., healthcare, hospitality, aged care).
These templates provide compliant, industry-standard job descriptions that you can customise for your cleaning business. Each template includes duties, required skills, qualifications, working conditions and award classification guidance.
Browse cleaning job description templates
Click any role to view the full template and download as PDF
Commercial Cleaner
General cleaning role in commercial premises including offices, retail spaces, and industrial facilities. Handles daily cleaning tasks and maintains hygiene standards.
Office Cleaner
Specialised cleaning role focused on office environments. Maintains workspaces, common areas, kitchens, and restrooms in professional settings.
Housekeeper
Residential or hospitality cleaning role maintaining cleanliness and presentation of rooms, common areas, and guest facilities.
Window Cleaner
Specialised role cleaning interior and exterior windows, glass surfaces, and facades using appropriate equipment and safety procedures.
Carpet Cleaner
Specialised role operating carpet cleaning equipment, treating stains, and restoring floor coverings in commercial and residential settings.
Cleaning Supervisor
Leadership role overseeing cleaning teams, managing schedules, conducting quality inspections, and coordinating with clients.
Facilities Coordinator
Coordinates cleaning operations alongside broader facility management including maintenance, security, and contractor management.
Janitor
Building maintenance and cleaning role handling general cleaning, minor repairs, waste management, and facility upkeep.
Laundry Attendant
Processes, cleans, and maintains linens, uniforms, and textiles in commercial laundry facilities or on-site laundry operations.
Grounds Maintenance Worker
Maintains outdoor areas including landscaping, pathways, car parks, and external building surrounds. Combines cleaning with grounds care.
Award coverage for cleaning workers
Understanding which award applies to your cleaning staff
Cleaning services award 2020
MA000022 is the primary award covering employees in the contract cleaning services industry. This includes commercial cleaners, office cleaners, industrial cleaners, window cleaners, carpet cleaners, and cleaning supervisors working for cleaning contractors or in-house cleaning teams.
The award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and conditions for cleaning employees across different classification levels based on skills and responsibilities.
Other applicable awards
Cleaners may fall under different awards depending on their primary employer's industry. This includes the Health Professionals Award (healthcare cleaning), Hospitality Award (hotel housekeeping), or Aged Care Award (aged care facility cleaning).
Always verify which award applies based on the nature of your business and the primary work being performed by employees.
Classification levels under the cleaning services award
The Cleaning Services Award classifies employees into levels based on skills, experience and responsibilities:
- Level 1: Entry-level cleaners performing routine cleaning tasks under supervision
- Level 2: Experienced cleaners with trade certificates or equivalent, working with limited supervision
- Level 3: Supervisors, team leaders, and cleaners with specialist skills or advanced qualifications
Ensure you correctly classify employees to meet award compliance. Use award interpretation software to calculate accurate pay rates.
Who should use these templates?
These job descriptions are designed for Australian cleaning businesses and employers
Common cleaning industry hiring challenges
Clear job descriptions help address these issues
High turnover rates
Clear expectations reduce early departures
Shift timing confusion
Early morning, evening, overnight shifts unclear
Security requirements
Police checks and clearances not clarified
Pay expectations mismatch
Unclear award rates and penalty loadings
Physical demands unclear
Standing, bending, lifting requirements not stated
Multi-site travel
Transport and site allocation expectations unclear
Well-written job descriptions attract candidates who understand and want the role.
What's included in these templates?
Every cleaning job description template includes
All templates are fully editable and designed for Australian cleaning industry compliance.
Why clear job descriptions matter
Without clear job descriptions
- Unsuitable candidates applying
- Expectation mismatches leading to turnover
- Confusion about shifts and site locations
- Time wasted on poor-fit interviews
With clear job descriptions
- Better quality applicants who understand the role
- Reduced early turnover and training waste
- Clear expectations from day one
- Faster, more efficient hiring process
Legal disclaimer
These templates are designed to reflect Australian workplace standards and cleaning industry practices at the time of publication. They are provided as a general guide only and do not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor each template to suit your business, service type, client requirements, modern award, enterprise agreement and specific requirements. For complex situations or award coverage questions, seek independent legal or HR advice.
Why cleaning job descriptions matter
The cleaning industry faces unique challenges: varied shift times (early mornings, evenings, weekends), work across multiple sites, physical demands, security requirements, and seasonal fluctuations in demand. Clear job descriptions help candidates understand what they're signing up for before they apply.
Well-structured templates also support award compliance by aligning role expectations with classification levels, helping you hire at the correct pay rate and reducing disputes about duties and responsibilities.
Whether you're hiring your first cleaner or building a large cleaning team, these templates provide a professional, compliant foundation that saves time and improves hiring outcomes.
Cleaning job description FAQ
- We provide 10 free cleaning job description templates covering commercial cleaners, office cleaners, housekeepers, window cleaners, carpet cleaners, supervisors, facilities coordinators, janitors, laundry attendants and grounds maintenance workers. All templates include duties, skills, qualifications, and award classifications aligned with Australian cleaning industry standards.
- Yes, commercial and residential cleaning have different requirements. Commercial roles typically involve larger spaces, industrial equipment, shift work and team coordination. Residential roles may require more client interaction, varied tasks across different homes, and flexible scheduling. Our templates can be customised for either environment.
- Yes, all templates are fully editable. You should adjust duties to match your specific services (office cleaning, healthcare cleaning, industrial cleaning), add site-specific requirements, and tailor qualifications to your needs. The templates provide a compliant foundation to build from.
- Most cleaning workers are covered by the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022). This award covers employees in the contract cleaning services industry, building cleaning services, and property services. Some cleaners may fall under other awards depending on the industry they work in (e.g., healthcare, hospitality).
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