Short answer: An after-hours cleaner should follow a written access plan: which entry to use, how keys or cards are held, your alarm steps, what to lock and switch off, and who to call if something goes wrong. We follow your access and alarm procedures on every visit, we're fully insured and police-checked, and we confirm the plan with you before the first clean, which is free.
Our posts on choosing a commercial cleaner and insurance and police checks cover who to trust. This one is the practical part: the access plan itself, step by step, so you can hand it to any cleaner.
Why it matters
Your cleaner usually works when nobody else is there, with your keys and your alarm code. The OAIC's guide to securing personal information lists physical security steps for businesses, including controlling access to the workplace, using security and alarm systems, and clean desk policies[1]. Even if your business isn't covered by the Privacy Act, those are sensible questions for any office. A national police check, the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, is commonly required for positions of trust[2].
There's a safety side too. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice gives "a cleaner working by themselves at night in a city office building" as an example of remote or isolated work, which has to be managed, including effective communication with the worker[3].
The access plan: what to agree before the first clean
1. Entry - Which door we use after hours, and any building sign-in or concierge - Key, swipe card, fob or key safe, and how many - Car parking or loading access if needed
2. Alarm - The code, which panel, and the zones to arm and disarm - The exit delay and what happens if a zone won't set - Your monitoring company's details and the password, if they'll call
3. Inside - Rooms we clean, rooms we don't (server rooms, records rooms, locked offices) - Anything that must stay as it is: desks with papers, lab equipment, stock - Lights, air-conditioning and appliances to leave on or off
4. Lock-up - Doors and windows to check - Where keys or cards are left or returned - Confirmation that we've left, if you want a message
5. Contacts - Your after-hours contact, the building manager and your alarm company
Good practice for keys, cards and codes
Whoever cleans for you, it's worth agreeing:
- Keys and cards labelled without your business name or address
- A cleaner-specific alarm code, if your system allows it, so you can see entries and change it without affecting staff
- A clear rule that codes are used only for your site
- That you'll be told straight away if a key or card goes missing, or if the cleaner on your site changes
Documents and sensitive areas
We do not read, move or sort documents. We work around papers and personal items, and we skip any room you mark as off-limits. In clinics, clinical tasks and clinical waste stay with your staff.
Plan for the night something goes wrong
Put these in the access plan, so there's no guesswork at 9pm:
- The alarm won't set: who to call (you, or the monitoring company), and what to do while waiting
- Damage or a door that won't lock: who to call and how you want it reported
- A leak, spill or hazard: who to call, and where the water shut-off and switchboard are
We follow your procedures, so the clearer they are, the better.
Your side
- Give us a clear written plan and a contact who answers after hours
- Tell us about changes to codes, locks or building rules
- Use a clean desk policy for sensitive papers
A one-page access plan you can copy
Keep it short and give a copy to your cleaner and your after-hours contact:
- Site: address, entry door, parking
- Access: key/card/fob numbers and who holds them
- Alarm: panel location, code (shared privately), zones, exit delay
- Rooms: cleaned / not cleaned
- Lock-up: doors, windows, lights, appliances
- Problems: who to call, in order, with numbers
Review it when you change codes, locks or staff.
How it works with F&L
- Call 0412 073 637 or get a quote online.
- Quick call about your site, or a short walkthrough for larger sites.
- One flat monthly price for your chosen frequency.
- First clean free, so you can see the standard before you decide.
FAQs
Do you need our alarm code? Usually yes, so we can disarm and re-arm. Some businesses prefer a cleaner-specific code, which is a good idea.
What if the alarm won't set? Put it in your access plan. We follow your access and alarm procedures, including who to call.
Do you read or move documents? No. We do not read, move or sort documents.
Which areas do you cover? We clean across the Gold Coast and Tweed, from around Labrador down to Kingscliff, including inland spots like Nerang. In Brisbane we cover businesses within about 15 km of the CBD.
Get a quote
Call 0412 073 637 or get a quote online. Your first clean is free, and after that it's one flat monthly price.
Sources
- OAIC, Guide to securing personal informationSupports: physical security steps such as controlling access to the workplace, security and alarm systems, and clean desk policies.
- Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, National Police Checking ServiceSupports: a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (police check) is often required for positions of trust.
- Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities (updated December 2025)Supports: a cleaner working by themselves at night in a city office building is an example of remote or isolated work; PCBUs must manage those risks, including effective communication with the worker.