The future of housekeeping in Australia: Why training the next generation matters
“In Australia, I’ve noticed a concerning gap when it comes to the professional development of housekeeping managers”
After four decades working in hotels around the world—from London to Dubai to Sydney—I can confidently say one thing: housekeeping is the heartbeat of a hotel. And yet, despite its importance, we don’t always treat it that way—especially when it comes to training and investing in the people who lead these teams.
In Australia, I’ve noticed a concerning gap when it comes to the professional development of housekeeping managers. While other parts of the world are actively nurturing future leaders through structured training programs, we often overlook the long-term benefits of education in favour of short-term cost savings.
But the reality is simple: guests return to hotels where they experience clean, well- presented rooms. A spotless room is just as influential as a warm smile at reception or a perfectly brewed coffee in the lobby café. Housekeeping isn’t just a back-of-house function—it’s a defining part of the guest experience, and it deserves the same level of investment as other departments.
I’ve had the privilege of delivering training to housekeeping professionals across the globe, and I’ve seen the impact it can make. In Singapore, for example, I was invited to run a three-day masterclass through SHATEC (Singapore Hotel Association Training and Education Centre), focused on The Future of Housekeeping for the Professional Housekeeper. The sessions covered everything from sustainability in housekeeping operations to financial management for economic sustainability. Twenty executive and assistant housekeepers attended, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. SHATEC later shared: “The experience was nothing short of exceptional. The training was not only informative but also interactive and highly impactful, especially with the sharing of insights drawn from Ms Lycette’s extensive international experience.”
From there, I delivered Leadership for Housekeeping Managers workshops in London, Edinburgh, and Dubai—each one tailored to the evolving needs of today’s housekeeping leaders. We covered practical, hands-on topics: financial tools, effective communication, team dynamics, and operational leadership. Participants described the training as empowering and immediately applicable.
One comment stayed with me: “It’s helped me improve my skills and will positively influence my career development.”
That’s what good training does—it builds confidence, inspires initiative, and strengthens teams. It turns a job into a career and helps high performers step into leadership roles with the knowledge and support they need to succeed.
What I’d love to see in Australia, is more of this proactive investment in our housekeeping professionals. We have incredible talent, but we need to nurture it. Structured training, ongoing mentoring, and real pathways to advancement aren’t luxuries—they’re essential if we want to build strong, sustainable hotel operations.
It’s time we stop thinking of housekeeping as “just” a cleaning service and start recognising it as a critical area for professional growth and leadership development. The next generation of housekeeping managers is out there—we just need to give them the tools to thrive.
