Cleaning Pay Rates 2026-27
Minimum pay rates for cleaning workers in Australia under the Cleaning Award: $27.08/hr at Level 1, $33.85/hr casual, every classification level, penalty rates and junior rates by age. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Cleaning Minimum Pay Rate
Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022)
$27.08
Base rate/hr
$33.85
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for cleaning workers is $27.08/hr under the Cleaning Award. Casuals receive $33.85/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Cleaners in Australia are covered by the Cleaning Services Award. Whether you're doing office cleaning, commercial cleaning, or window washing, these are the minimum rates your employer must pay. A lot of underpayment happens in this industry, so it pays to know your rights.
Cleaning Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Cleaning Services Level 1 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $53,510.08 |
| Level 2 | Cleaning Services Level 2 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 3 | Cleaning Services Level 3 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193.20 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Cleaning Services Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Cleaning Pay Rates
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.08 | +$6.77 | $33.85 |
| Level 2 | $27.97 | +$6.99 | $34.96 |
| Level 3 | $29.45 | +$7.36 | $36.81 |
Cleaning Junior Rates by Age (Under 21)
Cleaning Award juniors are paid a percentage of the adult rate for their level. Cleaning Services Employee Level 1, from 1 July 2026:
| Age | % of adult | Hourly | Casual/hr | Weekly (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 45% | $12.18 | $15.23 | $463.01 |
| 16 | 50% | $13.54 | $16.93 | $514.45 |
| 17 | 60% | $16.25 | $20.31 | $617.34 |
| 18 | 70% | $18.95 | $23.69 | $720.23 |
| 19 | 80% | $21.66 | $27.08 | $823.12 |
| 20 | 90% | $24.37 | $30.46 | $926.01 |
| 21+ (adult) | 100% | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,028.90 |
Source: Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database (junior rate rows, current from 1 July 2026). Casual = hourly × 1.25.
Cleaning Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $27.08/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$40.62/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$54.16/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$67.70/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $40.62/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $54.16/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $67.70/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $40.62/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $54.16/hr |
Full Cleaning Award Details
View the complete Cleaning Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Cleaning Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $27.08/hr (or $33.85/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in cleaning. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Pay Rates by Industry
Cleaning Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for cleaners in 2026?
The minimum base rate for cleaners is $27.08/hr (Level 1) under the Cleaning Services Award. Casual cleaners get $33.85/hr including the 25% loading. Level 3 (supervisors) earn $29.45/hr base.
Do cleaners get penalty rates?
Yes. Saturday pays 1.5x, Sunday pays 2.0x, and public holidays pay 2.5x your base rate. A Level 1 cleaner working a Sunday earns $54.16/hr.
What is the minimum shift length for cleaners?
Under the Cleaning Services Award, the minimum engagement for a casual cleaner is generally 2 hours. If you're called in and sent home early, you're still entitled to be paid for the minimum shift.
Is cleaning one of the most underpaid industries?
Unfortunately, yes. The cleaning industry has one of the highest rates of wage theft in Australia. Many cleaners are paid cash-in-hand below the award rate. If you think you're being underpaid, you can make a complaint to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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