In a significant shift for the state's education workforce, more than 600 school cleaners across the Hunter and Central Coast have started the new year with permanent public sector employment. This change, effective from January 1, 2026, marks the first time in three decades that school cleaning services have returned to public hands in New South Wales.
A Landmark Shift for the Workforce
The move comes after a comprehensive government review, which was initiated due to widespread concerns raised by principals, parents, teachers, and the cleaners themselves. The review identified critical issues, including inconsistent cleaning standards and a lack of adequate support for the workers who maintain school environments.
Under the new arrangements, cleaners in the Hunter and Central Coast are now directly employed by the NSW Department of Education. For the remaining regions of the state, the oversight and management of the massive whole-of-government cleaning contract will transfer from NSW Public Works to the education department.
Securing Jobs and Improving Standards
The reforms aim to address the core problems identified in the review. The government states the new system is designed to deliver more reliable and consistent cleaning standards across all schools, while also providing stronger accountability. A key focus is supporting fair working conditions for the cleaners.
Acting Minister for Education Courtney Houssos hailed the change as a "landmark" moment. "For the first time in 30 years, we have NSW school cleaners working as public service employees," Houssos said. She emphasised that clean and safe schools are a direct result of the cleaners' hard work, and the new arrangements aim to give them the job security and fair pay they deserve.
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, highlighted the end of years of uncertainty for the workforce. "Cleaners now have secure jobs with clear conditions and a future they can rely on," Catley stated. She added that starting work under the new system restores dignity to a vital workforce and ensures consistently clean learning environments for students.
Statewide Impact and New Systems
The changes have a broad impact across NSW. In total, approximately 7000 cleaners are employed under the whole-of-government cleaning contract, with the Department of Education and TAFE accounting for roughly 85 per cent of the contract's total value.
As part of the overhaul, new systems will be established to better track the specific cleaning needs of individual schools and to monitor the outcomes of cleaning services. This data-driven approach is intended to ensure resources are allocated effectively and standards are maintained.
The transition represents a major policy shift for the NSW government, prioritising direct public sector employment and improved working conditions within the essential service of school maintenance.
