Minimum pay rates for cleaning workers in Australia under the Cleaning Award. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Cleaning 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.
| 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 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 |
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 |
View the complete Cleaning Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Cleaning Award Pay Rates →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 →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.
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.
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.
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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