More than 600 school cleaners have started the year as permanent public sector employees, as new arrangements for school cleaning services take effect across New South Wales.
From today, cleaners working in schools across the Hunter and the Central Coast are being directly employed by the NSW Department of Education. It marks the first time in three decades that any school cleaning service in the state has returned to public hands.
Elsewhere in NSW, responsibility for overseeing and managing the whole-of-government cleaning contract has shifted from NSW Public Works to the Department of Education. The change follows an election commitment by the Minns Labor Government to review existing school cleaning arrangements.
The review was prompted by concerns raised by principals, parents, teachers and cleaners, and found a need for more consistent cleaning standards and stronger support for workers. Under the new system, the government aims to set clearer expectations for cleaning services, improve accountability, and provide better conditions for cleaners across the state.
New tracking and monitoring systems are also being introduced to assess school cleaning needs and outcomes. The intention is to allow quicker responses when issues arise and to provide schools with a more dependable service.
About 7,000 cleaners are employed under the whole-of-government cleaning contract, with the Department of Education and TAFE making up around 85 per cent of its value. Cleaning services support schools and other shared spaces used daily by communities across NSW.
About 7,000 cleaners are employed under the whole-of-government cleaning contract, with the Department of Education and TAFE making up around 85 per cent of its value
Acting Minister for Education Courtney Houssos described the shift as a turning point for the workforce. “This is a landmark change. For the first time in 30 years, we have NSW school cleaners working as public service employees thanks to the Minns Labor Government, with the leadership of the Deputy Premier,” she said.
“Clean, safe schools don’t happen by accident — they rely on the hard work of our cleaners. These new arrangements will give them the secure jobs and fair pay they deserve,” Ms Houssos said. She added that the reforms would deliver clearer standards, stronger oversight and improved working conditions across the school system.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the changes brought long-awaited certainty. “After years of uncertainty, cleaners are now walking into secure jobs with clear conditions and a future they can rely on,” she said.
“Starting work under these new arrangements restores dignity to a workforce that plays a vital role in schools across the Hunter and Central Coast,” Ms Catley said, adding that the reforms would help ensure consistently clean and safe learning environments for students.
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the move recognised the importance of cleaners’ work. “The Minns Labor Government is ensuring that hundreds of school cleaners on the Central Coast and the Hunter will have the security and benefits of permanent employment for the vital work they do,” he said.
“As a former school principal and son of a school cleaner, I’m well aware of the critical role cleaners play in the day-to-day running of our schools,” Mr Harris said.
The reforms place school cleaning firmly within the education system’s operational responsibilities, with the government signalling a longer-term focus on reliability, fairness at work and safe learning environments across NSW.
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