Central Coast schools are set to benefit from enhanced cleaning services as part of reforms to contracts that will bring hundreds of cleaners back in-house for the first time in decades.
From early next year, approximately 600 privately contracted cleaners across the Hunter and Central Coast are expected to be offered jobs with the Department of Education, marking 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 Government’s election commitment to review school cleaning contracts, prompted by concerns about the consistency and reliability of cleaning standards in schools as well as working conditions of cleaners.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch has celebrated the reforms, saying the changes are part of the Minns Government’s commitment to building a better NSW with a focus on rebuilding our essential services.
“As part of the government’s review, a survey of parents, students, teachers and staff, found just over half of the respondents, for instance, had concerns about the cleanliness of toilets,” she said.
“These reforms will address such concerns and recognise the hardworking school cleaners, who were such an important part of the state’s COVID response.
“The changes prioritise health and safety in our schools, deliver high-quality and well-maintained learning environments while improving working conditions for our valued cleaners.”
The survey, facilitated by P&Cs for the review, found 54% of respondents raised significant concerns about the cleanliness of toilets, highlighting health risks and discomfort for students.
It also found 36% 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.
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.
About 7,000 cleaners are employed under the whole-of-government cleaning contract, with the Department of Education and TAFE accounting for approximately 85%.
The reforms will also apply to other government sites covered by the current arrangements.
The new contract arrangements will take effect in 2026.
