Cleaner resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what cleaners actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most cleaners should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Reliable cleaner with hands-on experience maintaining hygiene standards across commercial and residential spaces. Comfortable working independently or as part of a team, with a strong focus on safety compliance and attention to detail. Known for completing cleaning rounds efficiently while keeping supplies stocked and issues reported.
Key skills
- Cleaning and grounds maintenance
- Safe use of cleaning chemicals and equipment
- Vacuum cleaner and pressure washer operation
- Mop and bucket systems, microfibre cloth techniques
- WHS and infection control awareness
- Waste disposal and bin management
- Customer service and complaint handling
- Physical stamina for repetitive, standing work
Experience: example bullet points
- Completed daily cleaning rounds of offices, bathrooms and common areas in line with site cleaning schedules and WHS requirements
- Sanitised high-touch surfaces and bathroom facilities to meet infection control standards, reducing hygiene-related complaints from occupants
- Operated and maintained vacuum cleaners, pressure washers and mopping equipment, reporting faults to keep downtime to a minimum
- Managed stock of cleaning chemicals and consumables, reordering supplies before shortages affected scheduled work
- Identified and reported maintenance issues such as leaks and broken fittings, supporting faster building repairs
- Handled and disposed of waste safely according to site procedures and local council requirements
Education
No formal qualification is required to start; most cleaners learn on the job, with a Certificate III in Cleaning Operations (or Asset Maintenance) available through TAFE or registered training organisations for those moving into supervisory or specialist cleaning roles.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- WHS compliance
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Certificate III in Cleaning Operations
- commercial cleaning
- infection control
- chemical handling
- waste management
- strata cleaning
- Safe Work Australia guidelines
- site induction
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.