The Australian commercial cleaning industry is entering a period of strong growth. IBISWorld reports the sector generated $20.1 billion in revenue in 2025–26, supported by more than 44,000 businesses and 209,000 employees nationwide. Analysts forecast continued expansion into 2026, driven by heightened hygiene expectations, sustainability initiatives, and steady demand across offices, healthcare, education, and government sectors.
Cleaning as a Necessity, Not a Trend
Unlike trend‑driven industries that rise and fall with consumer preferences, cleaning is a necessity. Every office, medical centre, school, and retail space requires consistent, professional upkeep to meet health standards, protect staff wellbeing, and maintain a professional image. This makes commercial cleaning one of the most resilient service industries in Australia.
IBISWorld data shows the industry generated $20.1 billion in revenue in 2025–26, supported by more than 44,000 businesses and 209,000 employees nationwide. Analysts forecast continued expansion into 2026, driven by heightened hygiene expectations, sustainability initiatives, and steady demand across essential sectors. For entrepreneurs, this translates into stability, recurring revenue, and long‑term contracts that are rare in other service industries.
Urban Clean leverages this resilience by equipping franchisees with advanced systems, diversified services, and national brand recognition. Operators can deliver not only routine cleaning but also deep cleans, carpet and upholstery steam cleaning, and consumables supply, all you need to do is ask. This breadth of services ensures stronger client relationships and contracts that endure, even when economic conditions fluctuate.
The Franchise Opportunity in a $20 Billion Industry
For entrepreneurs, the forecast signals more than just growth — it signals stability, resilience, and the chance to build a business with recurring revenue in one of Australia’s most essential service sectors. With more than 2.7 million actively trading businesses across the country and over 5 million Australians employed by small businesses, the demand for reliable cleaning services is not only increasing but becoming non‑negotiable. Every workplace, from corporate offices to medical centres and schools, requires consistent upkeep to meet hygiene standards, protect staff wellbeing, and maintain a professional image.
This demand creates fertile ground for franchise operators. Unlike industries that fluctuate with consumer trends, cleaning is a necessity. Contracts are long‑term, services are recurring, and clients value reliability above all else. For entrepreneurs, this means predictable cash flow, strong client retention, and the ability to scale without constantly chasing new markets.
The challenge, however, is not whether the industry will grow — that much is certain. The real challenge lies in choosing the right franchise partner to build a business that thrives. A strong franchise system provides the training, technology, and support needed to step into the market with confidence. It ensures operators are not just offering cleaning services, but delivering professional solutions that meet the evolving expectations of modern businesses.
Urban Clean embodies this opportunity. By combining advanced systems like the Janiflow app, diversified service offerings such as deep cleans and consumables supply, and scalable franchise models, Urban Clean equips entrepreneurs to take full advantage of a $20 billion industry. Operators are empowered to build businesses that not only survive but grow, supported by national brand recognition and proven processes.
For those ready to think bigger in 2026, the commercial cleaning industry offers one of the most reliable pathways to entrepreneurial success. And with Urban Clean, franchisees gain the edge to transform opportunity into long‑term achievement.
Why Urban Clean Stands Out
Urban Clean is recognised as one of Australia’s largest locally owned commercial cleaning brands, servicing hundreds of commercial spaces daily. What makes Urban Clean the best choice for franchisees is its unique combination of technology, comprehensive services, and scalable franchise models.
Urban Clean’s proprietary Janiflow app provides real‑time reporting and quality control, ensuring transparency for clients and efficiency for franchisees. This technology means operators don’t need to be on site every day to know what’s happening — they can monitor performance, track jobs, and maintain standards remotely.
Franchisees are empowered to deliver more than routine cleaning. Urban Clean equips operators to provide deep cleans, carpet and upholstery steam cleaning, consumables supply, and floor polishing. This breadth of services ensures clients don’t need multiple suppliers, making contracts stronger and stickier.
Urban Clean also offers flexibility through both unit franchises for individuals and master franchises for those seeking larger territories. This scalability allows entrepreneurs to grow at their own pace while benefiting from national brand recognition and strong support systems. Compared to smaller competitors, Urban Clean combines local ownership with national scale, giving franchisees credibility and clients confidence.
The Boss Mindset: Freedom with Responsibility
Building a business that works without you doesn’t mean stepping away completely. As an Urban Clean owner-operator, you still need to keep an eye on your business, monitor performance, and provide leadership. The goal is not to disappear, but to design systems that free you from the grind while still allowing you to steer the ship.
Urban Clean’s systems, technology, and training make this balance possible. Operators gain freedom from daily micromanagement while maintaining oversight and strategic control. This is the boss mindset: freedom with responsibility, and the ability to scale a business that thrives independently.
Final Thought
The commercial cleaning industry in Australia is projected to thrive in 2026, offering stability and growth in uncertain times. For entrepreneurs looking into a franchise, Urban Clean is the best choice. With advanced technology, comprehensive services, and scalable franchise models, Urban Clean supports operators in building businesses with real impact.
In a $20 billion industry, Urban Clean gives you the edge. Thinking bigger starts with acting like a boss — and Urban Clean is the partner that helps you build a business that works without you.
If You’re Tired of Chasing Cleaners — We’re Here
If you’re a business owner who’s had enough of the stress, the follow-ups, and the uncertainty, we’re here to help. Urban Clean delivers reliable, consistent, high-quality cleaning — without the frustration. Let us take it off your plate so you can get back to running your business. Let us handle the cleaning and take it off your to-do list—just click here!
And if you’re someone who’s ready to take ownership of your future, we’d love to talk. Whether you’re looking for a flexible income or ready to build a business that scales, our franchise model gives you the tools, training, and support to succeed. Click here to connect with us.
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS): Counts of Australian Businesses, June 2025
- Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO): Small Business Statistics 2025
- Lawpath: Small Business Employment in Australia 2025
- IBISWorld: Commercial Cleaning Services in Australia Industry Report 2025–26
