Free business coaching · Paid training

Start your own hoarding clearance business in Queensland

Most people who want to work for themselves never start, because learning a trade and a business at the same time, alone, is a big risk. We take that risk down. You learn on paid clearances alongside an experienced operator, get free business coaching the whole way, and build a hoarding clearance business in QLD that's yours.

Free business coaching at every stage
Paid training on real clearances, so your savings aren't on the line while you learn
No ABN and no hoarding clearance background needed to apply

Start my application Selective intake. Applying takes a few minutes.

How the pathway works

1 Paid training Casual employee on award wages
2 Independent operator Your ABN, jobs you choose
3 Your own business Your clients, your growth

Free business coaching at every stage

Why build a business in hoarding clearance

You walk into a home where someone has been overwhelmed for years. Rooms you can't see the floor of. A family who doesn't know where to start. A few days later, the house is safe again and people can breathe. Few trades let you see that kind of change, that fast, with your own hands.

It's also work most people won't do. Families, property managers and support workers need someone they can trust to turn up, stay calm, be discreet and finish the job properly. Be that person, consistently, and you build a name.

And it's yours. Your name on the ABN. Your call on which jobs you take, who you hire and how big you grow. We give you the training, the systems and the coaching. You build the business.

Unmarked Hoarding Clearance QLD van parked outside a Queenslander home before a clearance

Free business coaching, from your first clearance to your own business

Most new business owners learn the hard way, with their own money on the line. You won't have to. Coaching is free and runs alongside every stage of the pathway, and so does everything else on this list.

Setting up your business ABN, insurance and the paperwork that comes with working for yourself, step by step.
Quoting a clearance How to scope a job and put together a quote you're confident in before you start.
Running the job Planning the clearance, managing the crew and tip runs, and finishing to a standard you're proud of.
Dealing with clients Working with families, property managers and support workers, and handling the hard conversations this work brings.
Technical training Sorting and clearance methods, PPE, odour and contamination control, and handling sharps and mould safely.
Safety systems, ready to use SWMS and safety documentation, so you're not writing a safety system from scratch.
Operational systems Job records, checklists and completion reports that make you look professional from your first job.
Optional equipment hire Hire gear while you build up your own kit. Whether you use it is entirely up to you.

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What it takes to start a hoarding clearance business in QLD

To run a hoarding clearance business in Queensland on your own, you'll need:

An ABN. Registering is free through business.gov.au.
Insurance. Public liability at a minimum. The government's business insurance guide explains the main types.
A vehicle and trailer that can carry bulky loads to the tip.
PPE and safe work procedures. Respirators, coveralls, gloves and boots, plus written SWMS that meet WorkSafe Queensland requirements.
A plan for waste. Most of what you remove goes to a licensed waste facility. Some items, like sharps and asbestos, are regulated and must be handled and disposed of correctly.
The skills to quote and run a job, and the relationships with families, property managers and support services who call on this work.

You don't need any of this to apply. During training you're a paid casual employee (see the Fair Work guide to casual employment), and free business coaching walks you through each item before you go independent. Safety documentation and optional equipment hire are part of the support.

Be honest with yourself: this work is hard

We'd rather lose you here than on day one. Before you apply, know what you're signing up for.

Heavy, physical days. Sorting, bagging and carrying out tonnes of belongings and rubbish, often along narrow paths and up and down stairs.
Confronting conditions. Mould, rotting food, animal and vermin waste, strong odours and sometimes sharps. You work in a respirator, coveralls, gloves and boots, often in Queensland heat inside a closed-up house.
Careful sorting. Not everything is rubbish. Documents, photos, cash and keepsakes turn up in the mess, and finding them matters to the family.
People at their lowest. Some clients are ashamed, some are grieving, some don't want you there. Staying calm, kind and discreet matters as much as the lifting.

For a closer look at the jobs themselves, see our hoarding cleanup, squalor cleaning and deceased estate clearance services.

If that list puts you off, that's a good thing to find out now. If it makes you think "I can do that", keep reading.

Is this you?

This is for you if…

you want to own a business, not just hold a role in one
you'd rather learn on paid work than gamble your savings going it alone
dirty, physical work in tough conditions doesn't scare you
you stay calm and respectful when people are struggling
you're ready to commit, not just curious

This isn't for you if…

you want a set roster with someone else making every decision
you're looking for something easy or quick
mess, strong smells or pests are a deal-breaker
you have no interest in running a business one day

We're selective, on purpose

We take on a small number of people so each one gets proper training and real attention from a coach. Applying doesn't mean you'll get an offer.

That's why the application asks real questions. We're looking for hands-on ability, a genuine intent to build your own business, and the temperament to treat people well on their worst day. Answer honestly. Selection works both ways, so use it to decide whether this is right for you too.

Every application is read. If there's a fit, we'll contact you to arrange a call.

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Areas taking applications

Read how the pathway works in your area. Don't see yours? Apply anyway and tell us where you're based.

Logan South East Queensland

Questions people ask

How do I start a hoarding clearance business in QLD?

You need an ABN, insurance, a vehicle and trailer, PPE, safe work procedures and a plan for waste disposal, plus the skills to quote and run a clearance. This pathway lets you learn all of it on paid work first, with free business coaching, before you set up on your own.

Is this the same as starting a hoarding cleaning business?

Yes. Hoarding clearance, hoarding cleaning and hoarding cleanup are different names for the same work. Most jobs also involve squalor cleaning, and some are deceased estates.

Is the business coaching really free?

Yes. There's no fee to apply and no fee for the coaching. It runs alongside every stage of the pathway.

Do I need hoarding clearance experience?

No. A background in a related hands-on trade helps, such as cleaning, restoration, removals, demolition or pest control. You learn the hoarding clearance side during paid training.

Is the training paid?

Yes. If you're successful, you start as a paid casual employee on award wages, working real clearances alongside an experienced operator.

Do I need an ABN or my own equipment to apply?

No. You set up your ABN and insurance when you're ready to go independent, and build up your own vehicle and kit over time. Equipment hire is available if you want it.

Can I work for other clients?

Yes. Once you run your own business, you're free to win your own clients, take other work, and hire or subcontract. You also choose which jobs you accept from Hoarding Clearance QLD.

Why are there so many questions in the application?

Because this work isn't for everyone, and we'd rather both of us find that out early. The questions help us find people who'll do well, and help you decide if it's right for you.

What happens after I apply?