Cleaner Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Cleaners 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. Every classification level, penalty rates and junior rates below.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Cleaner Pay Rate
Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022)
Cleaners perform cleaning duties in offices, commercial premises, schools, hospitals, and residential properties.
$27.08
Base rate/hr
$33.85
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$27.08
Hourly (Casual)
$33.85
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,029.04
Annual (Full-Time)
$53,510.08
What Award Covers Cleaners?
Cleaners in Australia are generally covered by the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some cleaners may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
Cleaner Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Cleaning employee (general) | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,029.04 | $53,510.08 |
| Level 2 | Experienced cleaner | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1,062.86 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 3 | Specialist cleaner | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Cleaner Pay Rate
Casual cleaners receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $27.08/hr to $33.85/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual cleaner working 38 hours per week would earn $66,887.60 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-Time Cleaner Pay Rate
Part-time cleaners receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($27.08/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Junior Cleaner Pay Rates (Under 21)
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 | $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 |
Cleaning Services Employee Level 1. Source: Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database (junior rate rows, current from 1 July 2026), operative from 1 July 2026. Casual = hourly × 1.25.
Cleaner Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when cleaners work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($27.08/hr base).
Saturday
$40.62/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$54.16/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$67.70/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
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 earn less than $27.08/hr as a full-time or part-time cleaner, or less than $33.85/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
Compare with Similar Roles
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaner | $27.08/hr | $33.85/hr | $53,510.08 | MA000022 |
| Retail Worker | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
| Waiter | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cleaner get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a cleaner in Australia is $27.08/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $33.85/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Cleaning Services Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a cleaner?
Under the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022), the minimum wage for a cleaner starts at $27.08/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,029.04/week or $53,510.08/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers cleaners?
Cleaners in Australia are generally covered by the Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some cleaners may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a cleaner?
A casual cleaner receives $33.85/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $27.08/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a cleaner?
Under the Cleaning Services Award 2020, cleaners receive: Saturday 1.5x ($40.62/hr), Sunday 2x ($54.16/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($67.70/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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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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