Changeover Clean

A changeover clean is the full reset carried out after check-out and before the next guest arrives. In NSW, the STRA Code of Conduct requires premises to be safe and fit for habitation for each booking, which underpins a thorough between-stay clean to deliver a consistent, guest-ready standard.

The scope typically covers cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms and kitchens, wiping high-touch points such as switches, handles and remotes, laundering and changing all linen and towels on warm or hot cycles, removing rubbish and perishables, and restocking essentials. Safe Work Australia recommends cleaning with detergent and disinfecting high-touch surfaces between guests. Hosts and operators must also manage health and safety risks under WHS laws, so using documented checklists, providing PPE and training, handling chemicals safely, and recording damage or hazards at changeover supports duty of care and compliance.

Standard inclusions and exclusions

Standard changeover cleans generally include stripping and replacing all linen and towels, cleaning and sanitising bathrooms and kitchens, vacuuming and mopping floors, dusting, emptying rubbish and recycling, and resetting the property with basic consumables such as soap, toilet paper and dishwashing items. These tasks ensure the property is presented clean, safe and in good repair for every stay.

Deep-clean items like carpet steam cleaning, upholstery or mattress cleaning, oven and rangehood detailing, wall washing, exterior window cleaning, and grout or mould remediation are usually excluded from the changeover and scheduled as periodic or ad hoc services. Health guidance also supports laundering used linen in warm or hot water, drying thoroughly, and cleaning high-touch surfaces between guests to maintain hygiene standards between deeper cleans.

Turnaround time and scheduling

Platforms such as Airbnb allow hosts to add one to two days of preparation time between bookings, automatically blocking the calendar to accommodate cleaning and restocking. This buffer can reduce operational pressure, particularly when sequencing laundry, maintenance and consumable replenishment after busy periods.

Scheduling must account for labour rules and seasonality. Under the Cleaning Services Award there is a minimum engagement of two hours per shift and penalty rates apply on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, which affects staffing and the cost of same-day changeovers. Tourism Research Australia reports domestic travel peaks in December–January and school holidays, increasing back-to-back check-outs and tightening cleaning windows, so robust rostering and contingency planning are essential.

Pricing drivers and typical costs

Labour is the primary cost driver. From 1 July 2024, minimum wages rose by 3.75% and the Superannuation Guarantee increased to 11.5%, lifting the cost base for cleaning staff. The Cleaning Services Award also sets a two-hour minimum engagement and applies weekend and public holiday penalty rates, which typically increase changeover pricing on those days or when tight turnarounds require additional resourcing.

Tax settings also influence the final charge. Cleaning services supplied by GST-registered providers attract 10% GST, which is added to the cleaning fee for owners who are not registered for GST. Together with travel peaks and property complexity, these factors shape the typical cost range per changeover across markets.

Quality control and performance metrics

Cleanliness is a core driver of guest satisfaction and platform performance. On Airbnb in Australia, Superhost status requires a 4.8+ average rating, a response rate of at least 90% and a cancellation rate of 1% or less over the past year, and cleanliness ratings feed the overall score. Under Airbnb’s Rebooking and Refund Policy, an unclean listing at check-in can constitute a travel issue, triggering guest rebooking or refunds and potential loss of host payout or other penalties.

Compliance risk is also tied to quality. In NSW, the STRA Code of Conduct requires premises to be clean, safe and in good repair for every stay; substantiated breaches can attract penalties and may lead to listing on the Exclusion Register for up to five years. Consistent checklists, photo evidence and prompt rectification of defects help protect ratings, revenue and regulatory standing.

Compliance, WHS and hygiene standards

If you engage cleaners, you are a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) under WHS laws and must, so far as reasonably practicable, provide a safe work environment. This includes managing risks such as manual handling, slips, sharps and biohazards, supplying appropriate PPE, delivering training, and consulting workers about safety matters during changeovers.

For cleaning chemicals, WHS Regulations require a hazardous chemicals register with current Safety Data Sheets, correct GHS labelling for all containers including decanted bottles, safe storage and ventilation, and worker instruction in safe use and first aid. Safe Work Australia advises accommodation providers to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and bathrooms between guests, use TGA-listed disinfectants to the stated contact time, and handle used linen with gloves, bagging at point of use and laundering on a hot cycle.

Conclusion

A well-executed changeover clean is the operational heartbeat of short-term rentals, safeguarding guest experience, ratings and regulatory compliance between every stay. Building the right scope, schedule and WHS controls into each turnaround keeps properties guest-ready and protects revenue in peak and shoulder seasons alike.

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