Cleaning Services Award pay rates 2026 (Australia)

Employers in the contract cleaning services industry throughout Australia and their employees: cleaning under contract (including event cleaning), hygiene and pollution control, trolley collection (other than trolley collection under the Retail Award) and minor property maintenance incidental to cleaning (clauses 4.1 and 4.2).

No. It covers contract cleaning businesses. Cleaners employed directly by another business are usually covered by that industry’s award (clause 4.6).

From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, after the Annual Wage Review (clause 15.1).

In the consolidated award published by the Fair Work Commission (MA000022); the Fair Work Ombudsman also publishes pay guides.

No. Award rates are minimums. An enterprise agreement or an employment contract can pay more, never less.

Three: Cleaning Services Employee Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 (Schedule A).

Yes. Unless it is unreasonable, an employee may refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact from the employer outside working hours (clause 13A and section 333M of the Fair Work Act).

$1028.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $27.08 per hour, from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. This level covers general cleaning of buildings and surfaces using a range of materials and equipment (clause 15.1 and Schedule A).

$1062.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $27.97 per hour, from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. This level covers higher-skill cleaning such as carpet cleaning, exterior window cleaning from swing stages, ride-on machinery, steam cleaning and pressure washing, gardening, rubbish collection or leading hand duties (clause 15.1 and Schedule A).

$1119.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $29.45 per hour, from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. This level covers coordinating the work of Level 1 and 2 cleaners as a building supervisor or manager, training and dealing with tenants or owners (clause 15.1 and Schedule A).

Yes. Part-time employees get an allowance of 15 % on top of the minimum hourly rate for each ordinary hour (clause 10.2).

In writing: the hours each day, the days of the week and the start and finish times; any variation must also be in writing (clauses 10.4 and 10.5).

25 % on top of the minimum hourly rate (clause 11.2).

For intermittent or irregular work, uncertain hours, or to replace a full-time or part-time employee who is rostered off or absent (clause 11.1).

It depends on the size of the site: 1 hour for a lone cleaner at a small stand-alone site of up to 300 m², 2 hours up to 2,000 m², 3 hours from 2,000 to 5,000 m² and 4 hours from 5,000 m² (clause 13.5(c)).

Yes. Part-time and casual employees are paid for the minimum shift for the size of the cleaning area even if they work less (clause 13.5(d)).

Periods of up to 7.6 ordinary hours a day on up to 5 days a week (clause 13.5(a)).

Yes. The National Employment Standards provide a pathway to change to full-time or part-time employment (sections 66A to 66MA of the Fair Work Act, referred to in clause 11.3).

$31.14 per hour for day work, $35.20 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $35.20 for permanent night shift, $44.68 on Saturday, $58.22 on Sunday and $71.76 on public holidays, all including the 15 % part-time allowance (Schedule B).

$32.17 per hour for day work, $36.36 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $36.36 for permanent night shift, $46.15 on Saturday, $60.14 on Sunday and $74.12 on public holidays, all including the 15 % part-time allowance (Schedule B).

$33.87 per hour for day work, $38.29 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $38.29 for permanent night shift, $48.59 on Saturday, $63.32 on Sunday and $78.04 on public holidays, all including the 15 % part-time allowance (Schedule B).

$33.85 per hour for day work, $37.91 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $41.97 for permanent night shift, $47.39 on Saturday, $60.93 on Sunday and $74.47 on public holidays, all including the 25 % casual loading (Schedule B).

$34.96 per hour for day work, $39.16 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $43.35 for permanent night shift, $48.95 on Saturday, $62.93 on Sunday and $76.92 on public holidays, all including the 25 % casual loading (Schedule B).

$36.81 per hour for day work, $41.23 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $45.65 for permanent night shift, $51.54 on Saturday, $66.26 on Sunday and $80.99 on public holidays, all including the 25 % casual loading (Schedule B).

A Monday to Friday shift that starts before 6.00 am or finishes after 6.00 pm is paid at 115 % for the whole shift (130 % part-time, 140 % casual) (clause 20).

130 % for all hours of a shift finishing after midnight and by 8.00 am that does not rotate (155 % casual) (clause 20).

150 % from midnight Friday to midnight Saturday (165 % part-time, 175 % casual) (clause 20).

200 % (215 % part-time, 225 % casual) (clause 20).

250 % (265 % part-time, 275 % casual) (clause 20).

At the applicable rate for at least 2 hours Monday to Friday, 3 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday, unless the attendance is continuous with your shift or is for paid training (clause 19.7).

$27.08 per hour for day work, $31.14 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $35.20 for permanent night shift, $40.62 on Saturday, $54.16 on Sunday and $67.70 on public holidays (Schedule B).

$27.97 per hour for day work, $32.17 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $36.36 for permanent night shift, $41.96 on Saturday, $55.94 on Sunday and $69.93 on public holidays (Schedule B).

$29.45 per hour for day work, $33.87 for early morning, afternoon or non-permanent night shifts, $38.29 for permanent night shift, $44.18 on Saturday, $58.90 on Sunday and $73.63 on public holidays (Schedule B).

Any day of the week (clause 13.1(a)).

An average of 38 a week: 5 days of 7.6 hours, 152 hours over 4 weeks with rostered days off, 19 days of 8 hours a month, or up to 10 hours a day by agreement with the majority of employees (clause 13.1(b)).

2 consecutive full days off in each 7-day cycle (clause 13.7).

7 days, unless the employer and employee agree (clause 13.6(d)).

Weekly or fortnightly, as the employer determines, no later than the Thursday of the pay week (clauses 16.1 and 16.2).

No later than 7 days after employment ends, including all amounts owed under the award and the NES (clause 16.6).

Yes, at your minimum hourly rate for any time spent waiting at the workplace (clause 16.4).

Up to 12 rostered days off in each 12-month period (clause 13.2).

No. An agreed arrangement cannot be changed during a cycle and, except in an emergency, needs at least one week’s notice to change (clauses 13.3 and 13.4).

A paid meal break of at least 20 minutes per shift, taken between 4 and 5 hours after starting; full-time shiftworkers on a straight shift also get a 10-minute paid rest break (clause 14.1).

An unpaid meal break of 30 to 60 minutes, without working more than 4.5 hours before it, plus 10-minute paid morning and afternoon rest breaks (clause 14.2).

At least 8 consecutive hours; otherwise overtime rates apply until you are released for 8 hours (clause 14.4).

Full-time and part-time: 150 % for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday, 200 % after, 200 % on Sunday and 250 % on public holidays. Casuals: 175 %, 225 %, 225 % and 275 % (clause 19.3).

For any time worked beyond their ordinary hours (clause 19.2(a)).

For time worked beyond 7.6 hours a day, 5 days a week or 38 hours in a week (clause 19.2(b)).

Yes, if it is unreasonable, considering health and safety, family responsibilities, notice and other factors (clause 19.1 and section 62 of the Fair Work Act).

Yes. If you are recalled after leaving the premises, you are paid at least 2 hours at overtime rates (clause 19.6).

Yes. Overtime on any day stands alone from overtime worked on any other day (clause 19.4).

A paid 20-minute meal break after each 4 hours of overtime (clause 14.3(b)).

You are paid at overtime rates until you can resume the break (clause 14.3(a)).

Yes, by individual written agreement (clause 19.5).

$40.62 per hour for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday, $54.16 after 2 hours, $54.16 on Sunday and $67.70 on public holidays (Schedule B).

$41.96 per hour for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday, $55.94 after 2 hours, $55.94 on Sunday and $69.93 on public holidays (Schedule B).

$44.18 per hour for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday, $58.90 after 2 hours, $58.90 on Sunday and $73.63 on public holidays (Schedule B).

$3.69 per shift or $18.17 per week (clause 17.9).

$4.71 per day, up to $23.56 a week (clause 17.2).

$1.11 per hour up to the 22nd floor and $2.27 above it (clause 17.5).

$61.73 a week for up to 10 employees, $79.43 for 11 to 20 and $97.13 for more than 20 (clause 17.7).

$4.69 per shift (clause 17.8).

$0.69 per hour for cold work; $0.69 per hour between 46°C and 54°C and $0.83 above 54°C (clauses 17.3 and 17.4).

$16.87 per week (clause 17.6).

Meal allowance $17.53 per occasion; vehicle allowance $1.01 per km for a car and $0.34 for a motorcycle (clauses 17.10 and 17.11).

Only for employees of shopping trolley collection contractors: 45 % under 16, 50 % at 16, 60 % at 17, 70 % at 18, 80 % at 19 and 90 % at 20 (clause 15.2).

4 weeks of paid annual leave a year for full-time employees and pro rata for part-time employees (section 87 of the Fair Work Act and clause 21).

Full-time employees get 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave a year and part-time employees a pro rata amount (section 96 of the Fair Work Act).

The award requires consultation about a change of contract that affects employees (clause 29).

From 1 week (up to 1 year of service) to 4 weeks (more than 5 years), plus 1 week if the employee is over 45 with at least 2 years of service (clause 32 and section 117 of the Fair Work Act).