Does Immigration Help or Hurt the Cleaning Industry in Sydney?

Sydney welcomed 446,000 new migrants in 2024 — and many of them landed in jobs like hospitality, logistics… and cleaning.

It’s easy to reduce this to “cheap labour” — but the truth is more layered.

💬 Marta’s Story

Marta arrived from Chile in 2021 with her two sons. She was overqualified, underpaid, and nearly walked away from cleaning.

Three years later, she’s Ultrix’s training lead across the Inner West. Clients request her by name.

🧠 The Real Impact

Pros:

• Hardworking, loyal staff

• Quick learners with international experience

• Cultural diversity boosts team empathy

Cons (when mishandled):

• Exploitation by rogue operators

• Poor training = low standards

• Language barriers causing miscommunication

At Ultrix, we train all staff, pay them above award, and support career growth.

📊 Industry Trends + Ethics

According to the Cleaning Accountability Framework:

• Over 80% of cleaners in commercial retail are migrants

• Up to 1 in 4 are paid below award

We believe ethical cleaning matters to clients.

“When you choose who cleans your business, you’re deciding what kind of economy you support.”

Let’s build one with fairness, skill, and pride — one mop at a time.