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Cleaning insurance is a general term for insurance products that may be relevant to self-employed cleaners, cleaning contractors and businesses providing residential, commercial and specialist cleaning services.
Cleaning work can involve handling chemicals, operating equipment, working around customers and accessing private homes, offices and commercial premises. Depending on the cover arranged, insurance may assist with risks such as:
For example, a customer might slip on a recently cleaned floor, or a cleaning product could accidentally damage a client’s flooring or furniture. Depending on the circumstances, these incidents may result in third-party liability claims.
The cover available will depend on the policies selected, cleaning activities performed, business structure, insurer acceptance, policy limits, conditions and exclusions.
Cleaning businesses can face risks involving third-party injuries, accidental property damage, cleaning equipment, business property, workplace injuries and periods where illness or injury prevents the business owner from working.The insurance products that may be relevant will depend on the cleaning services you provide, client premises, employees, subcontractors, business assets and contractual requirements.
A Business Insurance Package can combine several selected cover options into one customisable policy. Depending on the insurer, your business activities and the policy selected, available cover sections may include:
Not all sections are automatically included. Some sections may require another cover section to be selected or may need to be arranged separately. Available cover options, combinations and limits vary between insurers and policies. Cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, excesses, exclusions and insurer acceptance.
The cost of cleaning insurance varies depending on the cleaning services you provide, annual turnover, work environments, employees and subcontractors, claims history, equipment and the cover options selected.
Several factors can influence the cost of cleaning insurance. These may include the type of cleaning performed, the size and value of cleaning contracts, where the work is carried out, the number of employees or subcontractors, the value of equipment and the limits and cover types selected.
Cleaners often compare different policy types and cover limits depending on their cleaning activities, client requirements, commercial contracts, business structure and the value of their tools and equipment.
Important Note: Premiums are subject to individual underwriting, insurer acceptance and policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. Tell us about every cleaning service you provide, including pressure washing, roof or gutter cleaning, work at heights, rope access and any hazardous or specialist cleaning. These activities may require additional underwriting or may be excluded. Do not assume that acceptance for routine cleaning extends to every cleaning activity.
Provide your business details, compare available insurance options and receive your documents once cover has been arranged.
Tell us about your cleaning services, annual turnover, client premises, employees, subcontractors, business structure, cleaning equipment and any contractual requirements that apply to your work.
Compare available Public Liability, Business Insurance and other insurance options and limits against your cleaning activities, client contracts, business structure and insurer criteria.
Once cover has been arranged and payment completed, your Certificate of Currency and relevant policy documents can be issued electronically.
Cover is subject to insurer acceptance and the relevant policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
Insurance requirements for cleaning businesses in Australia vary according to the state or territory, the cleaning services performed, whether workers are employed and the requirements of individual client contracts.
There is no single national Public Liability Insurance requirement that applies to every cleaning business. Public Liability may instead be required through commercial cleaning contracts, property management agreements, facilities management arrangements, tenders or other commercial conditions.
Cleaning businesses employing eligible workers must also check the Workers Compensation requirements that apply in their state or territory.
Some states and territories have additional requirements for cleaning businesses, including labour hire licensing and portable long service leave schemes. These obligations are separate from purchasing an insurance policy.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Note: Requirements vary depending on the type of cleaning work, business structure, employee or subcontractor arrangements, work locations and commercial contracts. Specialist activities such as asbestos removal or other regulated hazardous work may involve separate licensing and safety obligations. This information is general only and should not be relied on as legal, licensing or compliance advice. Confirm current requirements with the relevant state or territory regulator before commencing work.
Cleaning businesses operating in the ACT may need to meet insurance requirements set by residential customers, commercial clients, property managers and government contracts.
Public Liability Insurance is not subject to a blanket national requirement for all cleaning businesses, but particular contracts may specify a minimum policy limit or require evidence of cover before cleaning begins.
Employers must check their Workers Compensation responsibilities for eligible employees and other workers under ACT legislation.
The ACT also operates a portable long service leave scheme covering eligible contract cleaning workers. Since 1 April 2025, contract cleaning has formed part of the ACT Services Industry Scheme. Covered cleaning employers must register and meet their reporting and levy obligations through ACT Leave.
Cleaning businesses supplying workers to another business or person should check whether they require a labour hire licence. Requirements depend on the working arrangement and applicable exclusions. Confirm your obligations with WorkSafe ACT.
Cleaning businesses should confirm their obligations with ACT Leave and WorkSafe ACT.
Cleaning businesses in New South Wales may provide domestic cleaning, office cleaning, commercial cleaning, carpet cleaning and other services under contracts with property owners, property managers and businesses.
Public Liability Insurance may be required through client agreements, cleaning tenders or commercial contracts. Businesses undertaking specialist cleaning work should also check whether additional licensing or work health and safety requirements apply.
Employers must consider their Workers Compensation obligations under the NSW scheme. Whether a policy is required depends on factors including worker classification, wages and applicable exemptions.
NSW also operates a portable long service leave scheme for eligible workers in the contract cleaning industry. Covered employers must register with the Long Service Corporation, submit service returns and pay the applicable levies.
Cleaning contractors should check requirements with SIRA and the Long Service Corporation.
Cleaning businesses operating in the Northern Territory may work across residential properties, offices, retail premises, accommodation facilities and industrial locations.
Insurance requirements can depend on the cleaning services provided and the conditions imposed by customers, property managers and commercial clients.
Public Liability Insurance may be requested under commercial contracts, but businesses should check the specific agreement rather than assume a standard insurance requirement applies to every cleaning job.
In the Northern Territory, employers who are not approved self-insurers must maintain Workers Compensation Insurance for workers covered by the relevant legislation. Policies must be arranged through an approved insurer.
Cleaning businesses performing specialist work at industrial sites, using hazardous substances or accessing high-risk environments should also check applicable work health and safety and licensing obligations.
Requirements can be confirmed through NT WorkSafe.
Cleaning businesses in Queensland may be subject to insurance, workplace and labour hire requirements depending on how they operate and the workers they engage.
Public Liability Insurance is commonly requested by commercial clients, property managers and organisations engaging cleaning contractors, although there is no single national limit applying to every cleaning business.
Queensland employers who employ workers must maintain the Workers Compensation cover required under the state’s scheme, unless an applicable self-insurance arrangement exists.
Businesses supplying cleaning workers to another business or person should also check Queensland’s labour hire licensing laws. Whether a licence is required depends on the nature of the arrangement.
Queensland operates a portable long service leave scheme for eligible contract cleaning workers through QLeave. Covered employers have registration, reporting and levy responsibilities.
Cleaning businesses should confirm requirements with WorkCover Queensland, Labour Hire Licensing Queensland and QLeave.
Cleaning businesses in South Australia should check insurance and licensing requirements based on their cleaning activities, employees and commercial contracts.
Public Liability Insurance may be required by commercial customers, property managers and organisations commissioning cleaning services.
Employers may need to register with ReturnToWorkSA for work injury insurance, subject to the applicable eligibility and remuneration rules.
South Australia regulates labour hire providers, including relevant businesses supplying cleaning workers to other organisations. Businesses supplying workers or engaging labour hire providers should confirm current licensing requirements and any applicable exemptions with Consumer and Business Services.
Requirements can be checked with ReturnToWorkSA and Consumer and Business Services.
Cleaning businesses operating in Tasmania may provide residential, commercial, carpet, window and specialist cleaning services.
Public Liability Insurance may be required under client agreements, commercial cleaning contracts, property management arrangements or tender conditions.
Employers must maintain Workers Compensation Insurance through a licensed insurer unless they have an approved self-insurance arrangement. Eligibility and worker classification depend on Tasmanian legislation.
Cleaning businesses should also assess work health and safety requirements associated with chemicals, machinery, manual handling, working at heights and other risks encountered during cleaning operations.
Where a business performs specialised activities that fall outside ordinary cleaning services, separate licensing or regulatory requirements may apply.
Cleaning contractors should check relevant requirements with WorkSafe Tasmania.
Cleaning businesses in Victoria should check insurance requirements alongside the state’s labour hire licensing and portable long service leave obligations.
Public Liability Insurance may be requested through commercial cleaning contracts, property management agreements, facilities management arrangements and tenders.
Most Victorian employers must register for WorkCover Insurance where the applicable employment and remuneration requirements are met.
Victoria also has specific labour hire licensing rules affecting commercial cleaning businesses. Companies supplying workers to clean commercial premises generally require a labour hire licence, subject to the relevant statutory exceptions.
From 1 October 2026, changes to Victoria’s labour hire laws amended the definition of providing labour hire services. Cleaning businesses should check whether they, or businesses supplying workers to them, require a licence under the updated rules.
Eligible contract cleaning employers may also need to register with Victoria’s Portable Long Service Authority and meet associated reporting and levy obligations.
Cleaning businesses should confirm their obligations through WorkSafe Victoria, the Labour Hire Authority and the Portable Long Service Authority.
Cleaning businesses operating in Western Australia may work in residential homes, offices, retail premises, schools, industrial sites and other commercial properties.
Public Liability Insurance may be required through customer contracts, facilities management agreements, property managers or tender conditions. The applicable limit will depend on the agreement rather than a single statewide requirement for all cleaning businesses.
Western Australian employers must maintain Workers Compensation Insurance for individuals classified as workers under the state’s legislation. Depending on the arrangement, this can include certain contractors and subcontractors.
Cleaning businesses performing specialist activities such as asbestos removal or regulated high-risk work may also need separate licences, permits or registrations.
Businesses should confirm Workers Compensation requirements through WorkCover WA and specialist work requirements through WorkSafe WA.
Contractor Cover is the one-stop insurance shop for contractors across Australia.
We help contractors, subcontractors and small businesses compare commonly arranged business insurance options in one place. Choose from available cover types and limits based on your trade, business activities and contract requirements, subject to insurer acceptance, policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
Call our team today at 1300 438 268 for more information or fill in our easy online quote form.
270k+ businesses covered
20+ years of experience
Contractor insurance specialists
Cleaning insurance may suit sole traders and cleaning businesses providing routine, specialised, residential and commercial cleaning services, subject to insurer eligibility and acceptance of the activities performed.
At Contractor Cover, we’re proud to have a dedicated executive team that brings decades of experience, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to supporting Australian contractors.
John Elliott is the founder of Elliott Insurance Brokers, the business behind Contractor Cover. With nearly 20 years of insurance industry experience, John helps guide the business with a focus on practical cover, reliable service and clear support for Australian contractors.
Rachael Milne joined Elliott Insurance Brokers in 2012 and supports the systems, planning and financial structure behind Contractor Cover. Her work helps the business operate smoothly while supporting clear, reliable insurance services for contractors Australia-wide.
Kris Wright supports Contractor Cover through technology, systems and process improvement. His work helps keep the online quote experience simple, organised and efficient, making it easier for contractors to compare cover options and access documents quickly.
Tim Stingers brings more than a decade of insurance experience, with a strong focus on trades and construction. His knowledge helps support contractor-focused cover options for tradies, subcontractors and small construction businesses.
There is no single insurance rule that applies to every cleaning business throughout Australia. Requirements depend on the cleaning services performed, state or territory, business structure, employees and individual client or contract conditions.
Public Liability Insurance is commonly relevant to cleaning businesses because cleaning activities can create risks of third-party injury and property damage. Other requirements may arise through Workers Compensation legislation, commercial cleaning contracts, labour hire licensing, tenders or specialist cleaning activities.
Public Liability Insurance is not subject to one national rule requiring every cleaner in Australia to hold the same policy or limit.
However, Public Liability may be required under certain commercial cleaning agreements, facilities management contracts, property management arrangements, government tenders or other client conditions.
Cleaning contractors should check the insurance requirements applying to their particular services and contracts before beginning work.
The Public Liability limit required for a cleaning business can depend on client contracts, commercial agreements, property management conditions, tender documents and the type of premises being cleaned.
Common limits available in the market include $5 million, $10 million and $20 million. The availability and suitability of a particular limit will depend on the insurer, policy and requirements applying to the cleaning business.
Public Liability Insurance may respond to certain claims where negligent cleaning activities cause damage to property belonging to a customer or another third party.
For example, a claim could arise if a cleaning solution accidentally damages a client’s flooring or if cleaning equipment damages nearby fixtures.
However, policies may contain restrictions relating to property being worked on or property in the business’s care, custody or control. Whether the incident is covered depends on the circumstances, policy wording, limits and exclusions.
Public Liability Insurance generally does not cover the cost of correcting poor or unsatisfactory cleaning work itself.
For example, if a customer is unhappy with the standard of an end-of-lease clean and requests that the work be repeated, the cost of re-cleaning would not ordinarily be a Public Liability claim.
Where negligent cleaning work results in separate third-party property damage or personal injury, the resulting claim may need to be assessed under the Public Liability policy. Cover is not automatic and depends on the circumstances, policy wording, exclusions and limits.
Portable Equipment Insurance, also known as General Property Insurance, may cover eligible cleaning equipment and portable business property against loss or damage caused by insured events.
Depending on the policy, this may include theft, fire and other insured events involving commercial vacuum cleaners, carpet extractors, floor polishers, pressure washers and other equipment.
Limits, security requirements, insured events and exclusions vary between policies.
Cover for lost client keys, access cards, replacement locks or rekeying is not automatic. Tell us if you hold client keys or access devices so the available cover, conditions, limits and exclusions can be checked before you rely on it.
Personal Accident and Illness Insurance may provide weekly benefit payments if an insured injury or illness prevents a self-employed cleaner from working and the claim meets the policy requirements. Illness benefits apply only where illness cover has been selected.
Weekly benefits may be limited to a percentage of pre-disability earnings and a maximum insured amount. Waiting periods, benefit periods, medical evidence requirements, definitions of disablement and exclusions apply. Benefits do not necessarily replace full earnings.
This cover is separate from Workers Compensation Insurance.
Cleaning businesses with eligible employees may have Workers Compensation obligations under the relevant state or territory scheme.
Workers Compensation is separate from Public Liability and Personal Accident & Illness Insurance.
Worker definitions can also extend beyond standard full-time employees in some circumstances. Businesses employing casual cleaners or engaging subcontractors should check the applicable scheme rules.
Cleaning businesses may also have additional obligations relating to applicable employment awards, labour hire licensing and portable long service leave arrangements.
Portable Equipment Insurance, also known as General Property Insurance, is designed for eligible portable business property that may be taken away from the main business premises as part of normal work.
For cleaners, this may include eligible equipment transported between homes, offices, commercial premises, vehicles and storage facilities.
The circumstances in which equipment is insured, including theft from vehicles or while temporarily stored at a client’s premises, depend on the relevant policy terms, security conditions, limits and exclusions.
A Business Insurance Package can combine selected liability, business property, equipment, financial and other business covers.
Depending on the policy, available sections can include Public & Products Liability, Building, Business Interruption, Contents & Stock, Electronic Equipment Breakdown, Portable Equipment / General Property, Glass, Goods in Transit, Machinery Breakdown, Money, Tax Audit and Theft.
Some insurers may also offer Employee Dishonesty, Employment Practices Liability or Statutory Liability. These may be optional, conditional or separately arranged. Not every cover section is automatically included.
A Certificate of Currency is evidence that an insurance policy is current on the date shown.
Commercial property managers, facilities managers, building owners, businesses and tender authorities may request a Certificate of Currency as evidence that a cleaning contractor holds Public Liability or another insurance policy.
A Certificate of Currency generally identifies the insured business, policy type, cover limit and policy period. It does not, by itself, confirm that every cleaning activity or potential claim is covered.
You should review your insurance at renewal and whenever your cleaning business changes. This helps ensure the activities and circumstances disclosed to the insurer still reflect the work being performed.
Common review triggers include:
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You may view our full privacy policy at any time for more information about how personal information is collected, used, disclosed and protected.
To get started with your business insurance, request an online quote for your occupation. If you cannot see your cleaning occupation or require cover for specialist cleaning activities, contact our team for more information.
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info@contractorcover.com.au
1300 438 268
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