What is the job description of a window cleaner? More than most people reckon. Window cleaners — or if we’re being formal, Window Cleaning Technicians — play a crucial role in the building, strata, and property maintenance industries. Whether we’re scaling high-rise buildings, restoring stained glass surfaces, or making sure Karen’s garden room gets that perfect morning light, we’re all about clean windows, safe access, and satisfied clients.
The Day-to-Day Duties
- Clean exterior window surfaces and interior glass using squeegees, water-fed poles, and non-abrasive glass cleaning solutions
- Use specialised cleaning equipment like power washers, extension poles, aerial lifts, and frame window cleaning machines to reach tall buildings
- Remove dust, moisture from window sills, cobwebs, and bird poo (which somehow always ends up on the bedroom window)
- Polish windows, clean window troughs and window tracks, and clear excess water from ledges
- Transport cleaning equipment and supplies to job sites using a company vehicle or reliable transportation
- Check for damage to seals, holes in window frames, or warping caused by age or dodgy prior work
- Work across low-rise and high-rise buildings, including commercial clients like shopping centres, office towers, and hospitals
- Attend mandatory safety meetings, keep up with industry-related health and safety regulations, and follow ladder safety and fall protection guidelines
Where You’ll Work (And Who With)
The job title might be “Window Cleaner”, but your actual job sites range from residential homes to industrial clients, larger buildings, and places requiring abseiling equipment and elevated platforms.
Typical Workplaces:
- Residential homes (ground level to double-storey)
- Strata-managed complexes
- Office buildings and towers
- Schools and academic institutions
- Shopping centres and hotels
- Industrial buildings and warehouses
- Government and council properties
You won’t be doing this solo, either. You’ll often work as part of a team of window cleaners, with each tech responsible for part of the façade — or dividing jobs by interior/exterior.
Qualifications & Experience
While there are no legal entry requirements to start window cleaning, the industry does favour folks with experience in window cleaning or at least on-the-job training. And when you’re working on aerial lift platforms or ropes, you’ll need more than just guts.
Common Qualifications:
- White Card (construction induction)
- Working at Heights certification
- Elevated Work Platform (EWP) ticket
- Industrial rope training information (for high-rise window cleaners)
- Manual handling training
- Police check (especially for residential and educational clients)
If you’re dealing with lift equipment and heavy equipment, training is non-negotiable. Some employers also offer internal training for junior window cleaners or cleaner candidates new to the game.
Soft Skills That Go a Long Way
Knowing how to use a squeegee is great. But it won’t mean much if you don’t have the soft skills to back it up.
You’ll Need:
- Strong work ethic — trust us, this job can be a daunting and time-consuming task
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills — especially when dealing with fussy clients
- Problem-solving skills — like when water stains won’t budge and the client wants “sparkling results”
- Teamwork skills — because you’ll rarely work alone
- Time management skills — delays throw off the whole week
- Communication abilities — especially for logging reports or responding to requests onsite
- A sense of balance and head for heights — otherwise, just stick to interior cleaning
We’ve seen solid tradies who couldn’t handle a harness — and junior techs with physical ability but zero people skills. You need both.
Equipment Operation and Job Tools
You’ll often be handling:
- Squeegees and scrapers (to remove grime from windows)
- Water-fed poles (with filtration systems for a streak-free clean)
- Glass-safe cleaning solutions
- Cleaning solution spray bottles for interiors
- Rope access gear (where required)
- Power washers for pre-treating exterior surfaces
- Buckets, cloths, microfiber towels, harnesses, and anchors
And depending on the company? You might also be handling job site logistics, keeping accurate records, or coordinating team flow across multiple buildings.
Standard Hours, Salary & Benefits
Typical Hours:
- Standard hours: 7 AM–3 PM
- Average full-time hours: 35–40 hours per week
- Flexible hours: Optional weekend or after-hours cleaning for commercial clients
Salary Range in Australia:
- Entry-level / Junior window cleaners: $50,000–$60,000/year
- Experienced cleaners with certifications: $65,000–$85,000/year
- Rope access and high-rise pros: $90,000–$110,000/year
Some crews also offer:
- Benefit packages
- Company uniforms
- Access to company culture events
- Employee training and additional skill sets development
A competitive salary helps attract qualified candidates — but the real value is in job variety and that unbeatable post-clean shine.
FAQ
What’s the ideal candidate for this job?
Someone with a strong work ethic, experience with heights, a valid driver’s licence, and basic knowledge of effective window cleaning techniques. Bonus points for good customer service skills and a sense of humour.
Do I need a certification to become a professional cleaner?
Not always — but if you’re doing rope access or high-rise work, you’ll need relevant certifications like EWP and Working at Heights.
What’s the biggest challenge in cleaner job?
Weather, safe access, and tough stains like calcium build-up. Also, managing time across multiple jobs and navigating sites with limited parking or water access.
Can I apply with no experience?
Yes — many companies offer on-the-job training or internal training. Just bring the right attitude, physical ability, and willingness to learn.
How do I write a detailed job description for hiring?
Use a job description library or job description samples as a guide. Focus on essential qualifications, day-to-day duties, and your company culture to attract the right people.