How to become a Housekeeper

Working as a housekeeper is a great business for those that enjoy cleaning, and making things look neat and tidy. You can work on your own terms, pick the jobs you want, and with many busy families struggling to find the time to maintain their own home, there is a lot of demand for housekeepers across Australia.  So, whether you are looking to make some extra money, or those seeking a more permanent job in the hospitality industry, let’s see how you can start a business as a housekeeper today.

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‍Step 1: Get some work experience

When it’s time to start your own business, most clients will require you to have some previous experience working as a cleaner or housekeeper, though this isn’t always necessary depending on the job offered. You should also have good customer service skills, pay close attention to detail, and have a good knowledge of cleaning products and techniques.

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‍Step 2: Register your business

To get your business off the ground, you’ll need to register for an ABN, and if you expect to earn over $75,000 for the year, you will also need to register for GST. Depending on your individual circumstances, you’ll need to pick the right business structure for your business. Take this quick business structure quiz to see if a sole trader or company entity is right for you. Most housekeepers will pick from either a sole trader or company structure. There are pros and cons to both depending on your goals, so it's worthwhile sitting down and reading through the options.

Step 3: Provide high quality services

It is important to remember that being a housekeeper is a professional service. This means that you should always be polite and respectful to clients. When you are working as a housekeeper, it is important to follow instructions carefully. Your client will expect you to clean rooms and areas exactly as they specify. Housekeepers must be able to work quickly and efficiently in order to meet the demands of their job. This means being able to clean multiple rooms in a day and being able to work long hours if necessary.

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‍Step 4: Promote your services

Many hotels and resorts employ housekeepers, as do private individuals and companies. There are also plenty of online job postings from employers looking for housekeepers, so explore the internet to see what’s available. You can browse websites such as Indeed, Jora, and Seek for listings in your area. Having an online presence with good reviews is important, as that is what most clients will use to decide on whether to proceed with hiring you or not.

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‍Step 5: Invoice clients, claim expenses and pay taxes

Now that you have started winning work, you’ll need to invoice your clients. Thriday is a powerful all-in-one financial management platform, that allows you to invoice, claim work deductions such as cleaning suppliers, and complete your accounting and tax. Once you sign up with Thriday, you get access to a business bank account* and Visa Debit card*. From there, all you need to do is earn money and spend money, and the rest is taken care of. Sign up for your free trial today.

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Starting a housekeeping business if you have the right skillset under your belt, should be straightforward. The process involves doing research into available jobs, understanding what services clients are looking for, and pricing yourself at the right range to win work. With some hard work and dedication, becoming a housekeeper could open up some great business opportunities for you.

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