Cleaner Pay Rate SA 2026-27
Cleaners in South Australia earn at least $27.08/hr (Level 1), $33.85/hr casual — about $1,029 a week full-time — under the Cleaning Services Award 2020. Rates from 1 July 2026, junior rates by age below.
Cleaner — Minimum Pay Rate (SA)
Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022)
$27.08
Base rate/hr
$33.85
Casual rate/hr
Cleaners perform cleaning duties in offices, commercial premises, schools, hospitals, and residential properties.
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South Australia Note
South Australia workers may have state-specific entitlements. Check with SafeWork SA for occupational health requirements.
Minimum Hourly Rates — Cleaner
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $27.08/hr | $1,029.04 | $53,510.08 |
| Part-time (adult) | $27.08/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $33.85/hr | Varies | Varies |
Junior Rates by Age — Cleaner
Junior rates apply to employees under 21. Under 16: 45% of the adult rate. 16 years: 50%. 17 years: 60%. 18 years: 70%. 19 years: 80%. 20 years: 90%.
| Age | % of adult | Hourly | Casual/hr | Weekly (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 45% | $12.18/hr | $15.23/hr | $463.01 |
| 16 | 50% | $13.54/hr | $16.93/hr | $514.45 |
| 17 | 60% | $16.25/hr | $20.31/hr | $617.34 |
| 18 | 70% | $18.95/hr | $23.69/hr | $720.23 |
| 19 | 80% | $21.66/hr | $27.08/hr | $823.12 |
| 20 | 90% | $24.37/hr | $30.46/hr | $926.01 |
| 21+ (adult) | 100% | $27.08/hr | $33.85/hr | $1,028.90 |
Penalty Rates — Cleaner
$40.62/hr
$54.16/hr
$67.70/hr
Classification Levels — Cleaning Services Award 2020
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Cleaning employee (general) | $27.08 | $33.85 | $53,510.08 |
| Level 2 | Experienced cleaner | $27.97 | $34.96 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 3 | Specialist cleaner | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193.20 |
Am I Being Underpaid as a Cleaner?
The cleaning industry is a high-risk sector for sham contracting, where employees are misclassified as independent contractors to avoid paying entitlements. If you work set hours and use the employer's equipment, you may be an employee entitled to award rates.
If you think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
Check If You Are Underpaid →More on the Cleaning Award
Cleaning Award (MA000022) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in cleaning
- Babana Traffic Control (ACT) Pty Ltd and CFMEU ACT Labour Hire, Traffic Control and Site Cleaning Sector Agreement 2023
- East Coast Cleaning Services PTY LTD and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2023–2027
- A1 IMS PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Cleaning Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027
- A2 CLEANING GROUP PTY LTD T/As A2 ABSEILING and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Specialised Rope Access Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027
- CLEANWORX SERVICES PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Cleaning Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027
- ISS Gold Coast Townsville and Mt Isa Airports Cleaning Enterprise Agreement 2025
Employer pay guides under the Cleaning Award
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cleaner get paid per hour in South Australia?
The minimum hourly rate for a cleaner in South Australia is $27.08/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $33.85/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022), effective from 1 July 2026.
What is the minimum wage for a cleaner?
The minimum wage for a cleaner is $27.08 per hour ($1,029.04 per week for a 38-hour week, or $53,510.08 per year). This is set by the Cleaning Services Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
What award covers cleaners?
Cleaners are covered by the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.
Do cleaners get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Under the Cleaning Services Award 2020, cleaners receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($40.62/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($54.16/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($67.70/hr).
What is the casual rate for a cleaner?
The casual rate for a cleaner is $33.85/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $27.08/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
How much should a 17 year old cleaner get paid?
A 17 year old cleaner gets at least $16.25/hr (60% of the adult Cleaning Services Employee Level 1 rate), or $20.31/hr casual, under the Cleaning Services Award 2020 from 1 July 2026. Junior rates apply to employees under 21. Under 16: 45% of the adult rate. 16 years: 50%. 17 years: 60%. 18 years: 70%. 19 years: 80%. 20 years: 90%.
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