Let’s be real for a sec.
You’re not asking for a dream job. You’re asking for a fair job—one that pays decently, treats you with respect, and opens the door to a better future.
If you’ve been hunting for cleaning jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s a real demand for it. And yes—foreigners can get sponsored if they know where to look.
This isn’t one of those “get rich fast” things. It’s honest work. But for the right person, it can be life-changing.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
🧽 Why Cleaning Jobs?
Cleaning isn’t just mopping floors or scrubbing toilets.
In Australia, cleaning is a regulated industry. There are rules, standards, and (thankfully) rights. Whether it’s in homes, offices, hospitals, or schools—cleaners are respected and needed.
And since many Australians aren’t lining up to take these roles, employers are often open to hiring foreign workers—especially in regional areas or through specialized visa programs.
🧹 Types of Cleaning Jobs in Australia
Let’s break it down. Here are the common types of cleaning roles available:
🏠 Domestic Cleaning
- Housekeeping
- Apartment cleaning
- End-of-lease deep cleans
🏢 Commercial Cleaning
- Office buildings
- Shops and retail spaces
- Government facilities
🏥 Healthcare & Aged Care Cleaning
- Hospitals
- Aged care homes
- Disability support centers
(Special hygiene training often provided)
🏨 Hotel & Resort Cleaning
- Room attendants
- Public area cleaners
- Laundry support staff
🏗️ Construction Site Cleaning
- Post-build clean-up
- Rubbish removal
- Site sanitizing
🛂 Can You Get a Visa with a Cleaning Job?
Short answer: Yes, but it depends.
Most cleaning roles fall under “semi-skilled” or “low-skilled” categories. This means you won’t qualify for high-level skilled migration visas—but you can still get sponsored through other programs.
Here are your best bets:
1. Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
If an employer proves they can’t find a local cleaner, they can sponsor a foreign worker. You’ll need:
- A valid job offer
- Proof of experience
- Basic English (IELTS 5 or equivalent)
2. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
For jobs in regional Australia (outside the big cities), where labor shortages are real.
3. Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462)
If you’re under 35 and from an eligible country, you can start with this and then seek sponsorship.
4. Labour Agreement Stream
Some cleaning companies have agreements with the government to hire workers from overseas directly. This is your golden ticket.
💵 Salary: What Can You Earn?
Cleaning jobs in Australia are generally paid hourly. Wages depend on location, company, and experience—but here’s a rough idea:
- Entry-level cleaner: AUD $23–$26/hour
- Experienced cleaner: AUD $27–$30/hour
- Night shift or weekend rates: Can go up to AUD $35+/hour
👉 That’s around AUD $900–$1,200/week, or AUD $3,500–$4,800/month. Not bad for a job that doesn’t require a degree.
Plus, some roles offer:
- Free accommodation
- Work uniforms
- Transportation support
- Training and certification
📍 Where Are the Jobs?
You’ll find cleaning jobs all across Australia, but visa sponsorship is more common in regional and rural areas, where it’s harder to find local workers.
Top regions:
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Regional Queensland & Western Australia
Big cities like Sydney or Melbourne also have jobs—but fierce competition and strict visa rules make sponsorship harder there.
🧾 What You Need to Apply
Here’s what most employers or recruiters will look for:
✅ Valid passport
✅ Updated CV (Australian-style resume)
✅ Basic English skills
✅ Physical fitness
✅ Clean police record
✅ Reference or prior cleaning experience (even informal)
Bonus points if you have:
- A driver’s license
- Cleaning certifications (like Infection Control training)
- First Aid or CPR
Don’t worry—many employers provide training after hiring, especially for hospital or aged-care roles.
🔍 Where to Find These Jobs
Let’s talk job hunting.
Top Job Portals:
- Seek.com.au – Use search terms like “cleaner + visa sponsorship”
- Indeed.com.au – Filter by job type and location
- Jora.com.au
- JobSearch.gov.au – Australia’s official job board
- BackpackerJobBoard.com.au – If you’re on a working holiday visa
Companies That Sometimes Sponsor:
- ISS Facility Services Australia
- Spotless Group
- Broadspectrum
- Compass Group Australia
- O’Shea’s Cleaning (regional cleaning company)
- Hospitals & aged care homes in regional towns
📖 Real Story: Meet Diana from the Philippines 🇵🇭
Diana worked as a housekeeper in Manila for years. Her cousin in Darwin told her about a cleaning company hiring foreign workers through the 482 visa.
She applied with a resume and a short video introduction.
“They asked if I could handle night shifts and live outside the city,” she recalls. “I said yes, and three months later, I was on a flight to Australia.”
Now, Diana earns AUD $1,100/week, has her own room, and is saving for permanent residency.
“It’s not glamorous,” she says. “But it’s honest, and it’s opened doors I never imagined.”
✨ Final Thoughts
Cleaning jobs in Australia for foreigners with visa sponsorship are real.
They might not be flashy. But they’re stable, respectful, and well-paid.
And most importantly? They’re a way in.
A way into Australia’s workforce. A way into permanent residency. A way into a safer, better future.
You just need to be ready to start small and work hard.
Because sometimes, the simplest jobs are the ones that lead to the biggest life changes.