How to Set Your Airbnb Cleaning Fee
Work it out from your real costs, not a guess, and know how it interacts with the short stay levy.
Your cleaning fee should cover what each changeover really costs you, without scaring off guests on short stays. Here's a simple way to set it.
Step 1: Add up the real cost of one changeover
- Cleaning: the time to reset the whole property, or your cleaner's per-changeover price.
- Linen and towels: laundering, plus wear and replacement over time (see linen par levels).
- Restock: toilet paper, soap, tea and coffee, bin liners.
- Extras you do every time: balcony, BBQ, inside the fridge.
Step 2: Decide how much to pass on
Some hosts pass on the full cost; others build part of it into the nightly rate so short stays look less expensive. If most of your bookings are one or two nights, a high cleaning fee stands out in search results, so consider a lower fee with a minimum stay.
Step 3: Remember the levy
Victoria's State Revenue Office says the short stay levy is calculated on the total booking fees, including cleaning fees. A higher cleaning fee therefore also means a bit more levy for the guest. See Victoria's short stay levy explained.
Step 4: Review it
Check your fee every few months against what changeovers actually cost you, especially after a price change from your cleaner or laundry.
Make every changeover worth the fee
Guests judge the cleaning fee by what they walk into. A consistent hotel-style reset, fresh linen and a full restock is what earns good cleanliness ratings. Our guide How to choose an Airbnb cleaner covers what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
Should my cleaning fee cover the full cost of cleaning?
It's your choice. Passing on the full cost is simplest; building part of it into the nightly rate can make short stays look better value in search results.
Is the short stay levy charged on cleaning fees?
Yes. Victoria's State Revenue Office says the levy is calculated on total booking fees, including cleaning fees.
What does Silv's charge for an Airbnb changeover?
It depends on property size and package (clean only, clean + linen, or all-inclusive). Pick your options on our booking page and we confirm the price.
Tell us your property size and package and we'll confirm your per-changeover price.
Get a changeover priceSource: State Revenue Office Victoria, Short stay levy (sro.vic.gov.au), checked October 2026. General information, not tax advice.