Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia)
This Service Contract for Cleaning Services (the “Contract”) is made on [Agreement Date] between:
[Provider Name] (ABN [Provider ABN]) of [Provider Address], [Provider Suburb], [Provider State] [Provider Postcode] (the “Cleaning Provider”); and
[Client Name] (ABN [Client ABN]) of [Client Address], [Client Suburb], [Client State] [Client Postcode] (the “Client”).
The Cleaning Provider and the Client are referred to collectively as the “Parties”.
BACKGROUND
A. The Client wishes to engage the Cleaning Provider to perform cleaning services at the premises described in this Contract.
B. The Cleaning Provider has agreed to perform those services on the terms and conditions set out in this Contract.
C. This Contract is intended to comply with the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)), the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and its state and territory equivalents, and the general law of [Governing State].
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. CLEANING SERVICES
1.1 The Cleaning Provider agrees to perform the following [Cleaning Type] at [Premises Address] (the “Premises”):
[Scope Of Work]
1.2 The following tasks are expressly excluded from the scope of services under this Contract: [Exclusions]
1.3 The Cleaning Provider will perform all services with due care and skill, using fit-for-purpose cleaning products and equipment, in a proper and professional manner consistent with the consumer guarantees implied by sections 60 to 62 of the Australian Consumer Law.
1.4 Any variation to the scope of services must be agreed in writing by the Parties before the additional or varied work is commenced. The Cleaning Provider is entitled to charge an additional fee for any authorised variation.
1.5 All cleaning products used by the Cleaning Provider shall comply with applicable safety data sheet requirements under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and relevant state or territory WHS legislation.
2. SCHEDULE
2.1 Services will commence on [Commencement Date] and will be provided [Service Frequency].
2.2 Services will be performed on the following schedule: [Service Schedule].
2.3 The Client must provide the Cleaning Provider with lawful access to the Premises at the scheduled service times. If the Client denies or fails to provide access through no fault of the Cleaning Provider, the Client may be charged the full service fee for that visit.
2.4 The Cleaning Provider will provide reasonable notice if a scheduled service must be rescheduled due to circumstances beyond its control, and the Parties will agree on an alternative time at no additional cost to the Client.
3. FEES AND PAYMENT
3.1 In consideration for the performance of the services, the Client shall pay the Cleaning Provider [Fee Amount] on [Fee Structure] basis. All fees are [GST Treatment].
3.2 The Cleaning Provider will issue a valid tax invoice [Invoicing Frequency]. Each tax invoice will include the Cleaning Provider’s ABN and comply with the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
3.3 The Client must pay each invoice within [Payment Terms] days of the invoice date by [Payment Method].
3.4 If any invoice remains unpaid after the due date, the Cleaning Provider may charge interest on the overdue amount at the rate of 10% per annum, calculated daily. The Cleaning Provider may also suspend services on 3 business days’ written notice until the overdue amount is paid in full.
3.5 The Cleaning Provider may review the service fee annually by giving not less than 30 days’ written notice to the Client. If the Client does not accept the revised fee, the Client may terminate this Contract in accordance with clause 7.
4. CLIENT OBLIGATIONS
4.1 The Client must: (a) provide the Cleaning Provider with safe, lawful access to the Premises at scheduled service times; (b) ensure the Premises are safe and free from hazards before each service visit, including disclosing any known hazards such as asbestos, mould, or pest infestations; (c) secure all cash, valuables, and fragile items before each service; (d) ensure all pets are secured away from the service area during each visit; (e) provide the Cleaning Provider with any reasonable special instructions relevant to the Premises in writing before commencement.
4.2 The Client acknowledges that its obligation to provide a safe workplace is consistent with the duty of a person in control of a workplace under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and applicable state and territory WHS legislation.
5. INSURANCE
5.1 The Cleaning Provider must maintain current public liability insurance with a minimum cover of [Liability Cover Amount] per occurrence throughout the term of this Contract. The Cleaning Provider’s insurer and policy details are: [Provider Licence].
5.2 The Cleaning Provider must produce a current certificate of currency for its public liability insurance within 5 business days of the Client’s written request.
6. AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
6.1 Nothing in this Contract excludes, restricts, or modifies any right, remedy, guarantee, warranty, or other term implied or imposed by the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
6.2 The cleaning services come with consumer guarantees that cannot be excluded, including that the services will be performed with due care and skill (s 60), will be fit for any specified purpose (s 61), and will be supplied within a reasonable time (s 62). If the Cleaning Provider fails to comply with a consumer guarantee, the Client may be entitled to a remedy.
6.3 Where the Client is not a consumer under the Australian Consumer Law, the Cleaning Provider’s liability for any failure to comply with a statutory guarantee is limited to re-supplying the services or paying the cost of having the services re-supplied, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
7. TERMINATION
7.1 This Contract continues [Term Type], subject to earlier termination under this clause.
7.2 Either Party may terminate this Contract for convenience by giving [Notice Period] days’ written notice to the other Party.
7.3 Either Party may terminate this Contract immediately by written notice if the other Party commits a material breach that is not remedied within 7 days of receiving written notice requiring remedy, or if the other Party becomes insolvent.
7.4 On termination for any reason, the Client must pay all fees for services performed up to the effective date of termination, together with any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Cleaning Provider.
7.5 For fixed-term contracts: if the Client terminates for convenience before the end of the fixed term, the Client must also pay a cancellation fee equal to the fees for the remainder of the fixed term, unless the termination is for the Cleaning Provider’s material breach.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY
8.1 The Cleaning Provider acknowledges that access to the Premises involves exposure to the Client’s private and confidential environment. The Cleaning Provider and all its employees, contractors, and agents must maintain strict confidentiality with respect to the layout, contents, activities, and information observed at the Premises and must not disclose any such information to any third party.
8.2 The Cleaning Provider must handle any personal information collected in connection with this Contract in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
9.1 If a dispute arises under or in connection with this Contract, the Parties must attempt to resolve it through good-faith negotiation within 14 days of written notice. If unresolved, either Party may refer the matter to the relevant state or territory consumer protection authority (such as NSW Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs Victoria, Queensland Office of Fair Trading, Consumer Protection WA, or equivalent) or to mediation before commencing legal proceedings.
9.2 Nothing in this clause prevents a Party from seeking urgent injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.
10. GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1 Entire Agreement: This Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the cleaning services and supersedes all prior discussions, representations, and agreements.
10.2 Amendments: This Contract may only be amended by a written instrument signed by both Parties.
10.3 Independent Contractor: The Cleaning Provider is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Client. Nothing in this Contract creates an employment relationship, partnership, or joint venture.
10.4 Severability: If any provision of this Contract is invalid, unenforceable, or illegal, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.
10.5 Governing Law and Jurisdiction: This Contract is governed by the laws of [Governing State], Australia. Each Party submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of [Governing State] and the Federal Court of Australia.
EXECUTED as a Contract.
CLEANING PROVIDER
Name: [Provider Name]
ABN: [Provider ABN]
Address: [Provider Address], [Provider Suburb], [Provider State] [Provider Postcode]
CLIENT
Name: [Client Name]
Address: [Client Address], [Client Suburb], [Client State] [Client Postcode]
Cleaning Provider
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
Client
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia)?
A Service Contract for Cleaning Services in Australia records the cleaning work to be provided, the fees, the service standards, and each party's obligations between the provider and the client. The agreement is governed by the common law of contract and, where services are supplied to a consumer, the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)).
The contract is governed by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), which applies nationwide and implies mandatory consumer guarantees into every cleaning services contract. These guarantees — that services will be performed with due care and skill (s 60), will be fit for purpose (s 61), and will be completed within a reasonable time (s 62) — cannot be excluded by contract.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and its state and territory equivalents impose duties on cleaning businesses and on clients who control workplaces. A properly drafted contract addresses these WHS obligations, including hazard disclosure requirements and the safe provision of access.
The Australia Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) template suits residential cleaning, commercial and office cleaning, end-of-lease bond cleaning, industrial cleaning, carpet cleaning, and window cleaning engagements across all Australian states and territories. It can be used for one-time jobs or ongoing recurring arrangements.
The legal framework governing the Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) in Australia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers the Goods and Services Tax under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. The Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Courts of each state have jurisdiction over corporate disputes. Parties executing a Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) in Australia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia)?
A written Service Contract for Cleaning Services should be used whenever a cleaning business enters into a recurring or significant one-time engagement with a client. Verbal cleaning agreements are difficult to enforce because terms are disputed when problems arise.
A written contract is particularly important for: ongoing commercial cleaning of offices, retail premises, or industrial sites where regular access and consistent service standards are required; end-of-lease bond cleaning where the cleaning standard may be disputed between tenants, landlords, and property managers; high-value residential properties where the risk of property damage claims is elevated; large events or strata buildings requiring coordinated cleaning across multiple areas; and any engagement involving subcontractors, where the principal cleaning business needs to manage its liability exposure.
For commercial clients, a written cleaning contract is often required by their own compliance and procurement policies. Many commercial property managers and facility operators have standard procurement requirements that include a signed contract and current insurance certificates before authorising site access.
For cleaners, a written contract protects against non-payment, scope creep, unreasonable client expectations, and disputed termination obligations.
Parties in Australia should prepare a Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers the Goods and Services Tax under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. The Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Courts of each state have jurisdiction over corporate disputes. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia)
A thorough Australian Service Contract for Cleaning Services should include the following key elements.
Parties and ABN: Identify each party by full legal name and Australian Business Number. The ABN is required for valid tax invoices under the GST Act and demonstrates the commercial nature of the relationship.
Scope of work: A detailed, specific description of all cleaning tasks included in each service visit. Room-by-room or area-by-area task lists reduce the risk of scope disputes. Explicitly list exclusions.
Service schedule: The frequency (once, weekly, fortnightly, monthly), the scheduled days and times, and the obligations of both parties regarding access.
Fees and GST: The agreed rate (per visit, per hour, or fixed monthly), whether GST is included or additional, the invoicing frequency, the payment due period, and the consequences of late payment.
Insurance: The cleaner's obligation to maintain public liability insurance at a specified minimum level (typically $10 million) and workers' compensation insurance where workers are employed. The client's right to request a certificate of currency.
Work health and safety: The cleaner's WHS compliance obligations under applicable legislation, the client's duty to provide a safe workplace and disclose known hazards, and specific requirements for cleaning products.
Australian Consumer Law compliance: An acknowledgement of the non-excludable consumer guarantees and a compliant limitation of liability clause consistent with section 64A of the ACL.
Confidentiality and privacy: Obligations on the cleaner and its personnel to maintain confidentiality about the client's premises and personal information, consistent with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Termination: The written notice period required to terminate the contract for convenience, the right to immediate termination for material breach, and the client's obligation to pay for work completed up to the termination date.
Dispute resolution and governing law: A tiered dispute resolution process directing parties to state consumer protection authorities before litigation, and the governing state or territory law.
Additional compliance elements for a Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) used in Australia include: Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers the Goods and Services Tax under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. The Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Courts of each state have jurisdiction over corporate disputes. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) (Australia) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/australia/business/services/service-contract-cleaning-service-australia
"Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) (Australia)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/australia/business/services/service-contract-cleaning-service-australia.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Service Contract for Cleaning Services (Australia) (Australia)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/australia/business/services/service-contract-cleaning-service-australia}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Common law of contract; Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2)}
}Frequently Asked Questions
Under the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)), three mandatory consumer guarantees apply to all cleaning services supplied to consumers. Section 60 guarantees that services will be performed with due care and skill. Section 61 guarantees that the services will be reasonably fit for any particular purpose made known to the cleaner — for example, meeting a landlord's bond cleaning standard. Section 62 guarantees that services will be completed within a reasonable time where no time has been agreed. These guarantees cannot be excluded by contract. If a cleaner fails to meet any of these guarantees, the consumer may be entitled to have the cleaning re-performed or to receive a refund, depending on whether the failure is major or minor. For a major failure, the consumer can end the contract and seek compensation.
While public liability insurance is not legally mandated for all cleaning businesses under federal law, it is effectively essential in practice. Most commercial property managers, strata managers, body corporate committees, and facility operators require a certificate of currency showing a minimum of $10,000,000 public liability cover before granting site access. For residential cleaning, clients increasingly expect insurance as a sign of professionalism. State and territory WHS legislation may also impose obligations on business operators that are best managed through appropriate insurance. If the cleaning business employs workers, workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under applicable state or territory legislation — for example, the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) or the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (VIC).
If the client fails to provide access at the scheduled time through no fault of the cleaning provider, most cleaning contracts entitle the provider to charge the full fee for that visit. This is because the cleaner has committed the time slot, paid for labour and travel, and is unable to deploy those resources elsewhere at short notice. This contractual right is enforceable under general contract law principles, provided the clause is not unfair under the ACL's unfair contract terms provisions — particularly for small business clients. The cleaning contract should clearly address access obligations, include what constitutes a lockout, and specify the fee consequence. The cleaner should attempt to contact the client and document the failed access attempt. Under Australia law, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
Cleaning services are taxable supplies under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth), subject to GST at 10%, where the cleaning business is registered for GST. Registration is mandatory for businesses with annual GST turnover of $75,000 or more. The contract must clearly state whether the quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive of GST — ambiguity on this point is a common source of disputes. If the rate is stated as exclusive of GST, the client must pay an additional 10% on top. The cleaning business must issue a valid tax invoice for each payment that separately identifies the GST amount and includes the business's ABN. If the cleaning provider is not GST-registered, no GST should be charged and the contract should make this clear. Under Australia law, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
For consumer clients, the Australian Consumer Law limits the ability to exclude liability for negligence or breach of consumer guarantees. However, section 64A of the ACL permits a supplier to limit its liability for a non-major failure to comply with a consumer guarantee to re-supplying the services or paying the cost of re-supply, provided this limitation is fair and reasonable in the circumstances. For business-to-business contracts where the client is not a consumer, greater scope to limit liability exists, though such limitations must be reasonable and are subject to the unfair contract terms provisions. A cleaning contract should never attempt to exclude liability for damage caused by the cleaner's negligence entirely — this would likely be void. A proportionate, reasonable limitation clause is enforceable.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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