Students, teachers and staff are set to benefit from enhanced school cleaning services as part of the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to cleaning contracts, that will see hundreds of cleaners brought back in house for the first time in decades.
From early next year, approximately 600 privately contracted cleaners across the Hunter and the Central Coast are expected to be offered employment with the Department of Education. This marks the first time in 30 years that any school cleaning service has been in public hands.
For the remainder of schools, TAFEs and participating government facilities, new cleaning contracts will be established to drive improved cleaning outcomes, higher hygiene standards, stronger employee protections and conditions, and clearer oversight and accountability.
These reforms follow the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to review school cleaning contracts. The review was prompted by concerns about the consistency and reliability of cleaning standards in schools as well as working conditions of cleaners.
The changes are part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building a better NSW with a focus on ensuring we have better essential services.
A survey of parents, students, teachers and school staff, facilitated by P&Cs as part of the review, found 54 per cent of respondents raised significant concerns about the cleanliness of toilets, highlighting health risks and discomfort for students.
It also found 36 per cent of respondents were concerned about the frequency and timing of cleaning, which can neglect high-traffic areas such as classrooms, canteens, and corridors during peak times.
Other issues raised included:
- unrealistic workloads and insufficient time for cleaners to complete required cleaning tasks
- cleaners not being replaced when absent, leading to staffing shortfalls
- a lack of connection between cleaners and the school communities they support
- cleaning activities occurring outside school hours, reducing visibility and responsiveness during the day
- inadequate transparency, accountability and supervision, making it difficult for schools to raise concerns or ensure timely follow-up on missed cleaning tasks.
Under the reform, responsibility for managing the whole-of-Government cleaning contracts will transfer from NSW Public Works to the Department of Education, which will lead cleaning arrangements on behalf of participating NSW Government agencies.
Tailored cleaning specifications will be developed to better reflect the unique operational needs of schools, ensuring critical areas such as toilets, receive appropriate attention and frequency of service.
Specialist cleaning, such as carpet cleaning or high-access window cleaning, will be contracted separately, creating greater opportunities for local businesses, particularly in regional NSW.
Currently, about 7,000 cleaners are employed under the whole-of-Government cleaning contract, with the Department of Education and TAFE accounting for approximately 85 per cent of its value. The reforms will also apply to other government sites covered by the current arrangements.
The new contract arrangements will take effect in 2026.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“Delivering high-quality, well-maintained learning environments for students and teachers is at the heart of the Minn’s Labor Government’s commitment to rebuilding public education.
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how essential our hard-working school cleaners are in maintaining a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for students.
“I’ve heard far too often from parents and teachers about students choosing not to use toilets and risking their health in the process, that something needs to change.
“These reforms are about prioritising health and safety in our schools while improving the working conditions of our valuable, dedicated cleaners.”
Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said:
“These reforms, which come after an extensive review, will drive safer workloads and a better and more sustainable path forward for both our schools and our cleaners.
“We are proud to be delivering these reforms and improve outcomes at our schools.”
Mel Gatfield, NSW Secretary, United Workers Union said:
“The United Workers Union and cleaners around the state applaud this significant step in transforming how this incredibly important work gets done in schools and other government buildings.
“This has been a 30-year fight to return dignity and respect to cleaners who are too often denied it, and these changes should provide cleaners the time and tools to do their jobs properly.
“We look forward to working with the NSW Government on this transition and ensuring that cleaners have fair, safe and secure jobs.”
Judith Barber, NSW School Cleaner and United Workers Union delegate said:
“Cleaning schools and government buildings should not come with the risk of injury and challenging conditions we face every day.
“Direct employment will be a game changer for cleaners like me and deliver better outcomes for all users.
“All NSW school cleaners will look forward to once again being seen as valued members of their school communities.”
Aresha Quaass, President, P&C Federation NSW said:
“Bringing cleaning services back under public management is a promising shift that puts students first and delivers cleaner schools.
“Ensuring that critical areas like toilets receive appropriate attention is something every public school parent and student will welcome. Clean, safe and healthy environments aren’t optional – they’re a human right, essential to learning and wellbeing.
“School communities have told us when cleaners are part of the school community there is greater care, accountability and responsiveness. The NSW Government has listened to parents, students, principals and teachers, and acted.”
Gemma Quinn, CEO, P&C Federation NSW said:
“Parents and communities spoke up and their feedback has improved how our public schools are cleaned and maintained. This is the power of genuine consultation in action.
“School communities have been calling for a review of cleaning contracts for years. This in depth review with real outcomes is exactly what schools have been asking for.
“We’ve called for cleaning services that reflect local needs, with on-the-ground insight and a clear line of accountability. These reforms take meaningful steps toward that goal.”
NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President, Amber Flohm said:
“The privatisation of school cleaning was a short-sighted decision that was motivated by cost cutting rather than the best interests of students and teachers.
“This decision is an important step forward and one the Teachers Federation fully endorses.”
Michael Burgess, State President, NSW Primary Principals Association said:
“Our schools need cleaners who are visible, valued, and part of the team. This change is a win for our cleaners, students, staff and school communities.
“Clean, safe learning environments matter. This decision means cleaning will be more consistent, more responsive, and better aligned with the needs of our primary schools.”
Denise Lofts President NSW Secondary Principals Council said:
“Cleaning and care of our schools is something our secondary principals have long advocated for as essential to delivering a world-class education system.
“This announcement is strongly welcomed by the NSW Secondary Principals’ Council and is a significant step towards ensuring clean, tidy, and well-maintained learning environments for our students and NSW public schools.”
