More than 600 school cleaners have begun the new year as permanent public sector employees with new reforms to cleaning services beginning today to drive improved outcomes for teachers, students, principals and workers.

From today, school cleaners in the Hunter and the Central Coast will be directly employed by the NSW Department of Education marking the first time in 30 years that any school cleaning service has been in public hands.

Across the rest of the state, the oversight and management of the whole-of-Government cleaning service contract will transfer from NSW Public Works to the Department of Education.

These reforms follow the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to review school cleaning contracts.

The review, which was driven by concerns from principals, parents, teachers and cleaners, highlighted the need for more consistent and reliable cleaning standards, as well as stronger support for cleaners.

The new arrangements will set a clear direction for cleaning services across NSW to deliver more consistent standards and stronger accountability, while supporting fair conditions for workers.

They will also establish new systems to track the cleaning needs of schools and monitor cleaning outcomes which will help deliver more timely support for schools as well as a more reliable service.

In total, 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.

Cleaning is an essential service that communities rely on every day and that support the places where people learn, work, and come together across NSW.

These changes reinforce the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to ensuring cleaners are recognised, respected and valued members of their workforce and the communities.

Acting Minister for Education Courtney Houssos said:

“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.

“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.

“The new arrangements will deliver clearer cleaning standards, stronger oversight, and better working conditions to benefit every teacher, principal, student and cleaner across NSW.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“After years of uncertainty, cleaners are now walking into secure jobs with clear conditions and a future they can rely on.

“Starting work under these new arrangements restores dignity to a workforce that plays a vital role in schools across the Hunter and Central Coast.

“This is about doing right by workers while delivering consistently clean and safe learning environments for students. I’m proud to have supported it from the outset and to now see it being delivered ahead of 2026.”

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“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.

“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.”