The Cleaning Services Award 2025 plays a crucial role in establishing fair wages and working conditions for cleaning staff across Australia. In this blog, we’ll break down essential elements such as minimum wages, penalty rates, and casual loading to help both workers and employers understand their rights and responsibilities.
Who Does the Cleaning Services Award Cover?
The Cleaning Services Award 2025 (MA000022) applies to:
- Commercial cleaning businesses
- In-house cleaners (shopping centres, offices, schools)
- Contract cleaners (except domestic house cleaners)
Exclusions: Residential home cleaners (covered under Miscellaneous Award).
2025 Minimum Wage Rates by Classification
| Level | Description | Base Hourly Rate (2024) | Projected 2025 Rate (+3.5%) |
| 1 | Entry-level cleaner | $23.38 | $24.20 |
| 2 | Routine cleaning with equipment | $24.12 | $24.96 |
| 3 | Specialist cleaning (e.g., medical) | $25.01 | $25.89 |
| 4 | Supervisory role | $26.45 | $27.38 |
| 5 | Managerial positions | $28.16 |
$29.15 |
Casual workers add 25% loading to these rates.
Penalty Rates Breakdown (2025 Projections)
| Shift Type | Multiplier | Example (Level 2 Casual) |
| Weekday Evening (After 6 PM) | 115% | $31.20 → $35.88 |
| Saturday | 125% | $31.20 → $39.00 |
| Sunday | 150% | $31.20 → $46.80 |
| Public Holiday | 250% | $31.20 → $78.00 |
Note: Overtime starts after 38 hours/week or **10 hours/day* (1.5x first 2 hrs, 2x thereafter).
Casual Loading: Understanding the 25% Increase
Casual cleaners are entitled to a casual loading of 25% on their base pay rates. This loading compensates for the lack of benefits that full-time and part-time employees receive, such as paid leave and job security. When calculating pay for casual cleaning jobs, employers must also account for this additional percentage.
Example Calculation:
If a Level 1 cleaner earns a base rate of $25 per hour, with casual loading, the rate becomes:
$25 + (25% of $25) = $31.25 per hour
This adjustment allows casual cleaners to maintain a fair wage despite their flexible working arrangements.
How Workstem Helps Cleaning Services Award Businesses
Simplify award interpretation and payroll processing with Workstem, the all-in-one workforce management & payroll software designed for every industry. Our system supports 122+ modern awards & 34 EAs, including the Cleaning Services Award 2025, and keeps you up-to-date with changes in wage rates, penalty rates, and overtime rules.
Managing payroll under the Cleaning Services Award 2025 can be complex. Workstem’s workforce management software ensures:
- Our award interpretation software
- Auto-calculates penalties + casual loading
- Flags classification errors
- Generates Fair Work-compliant payslips
- Seamless integrations with Xero, NetSuite, and more
Choose from our Standard or Advanced plan to suit your business needs, and stay Fair Work compliant with confidence.
Book a free demo with our payroll experts and experience how Workstem can streamline your payroll and workforce operations.
FAQs About the Cleaning Services Award 2025
Q1: What’s new in the 2025 Cleaning Services Award?
A1: 3.5% minimum wage increase (projected) for all cleaner levels；Stronger record-keeping requirements for remote/work-from-home cleaners；Clarified overtime rules for mobile workers (travel time between sites now counts toward daily hours).
Q2: Are casual cleaners entitled to the same benefits as part-time or full-time employees?
A2: No, casual cleaners receive a casual loading but do not have access to paid leave benefits provided to part-time or full-time employees.
Q3: What are the common penalties for misclassifying cleaning staff?
A3: Employers can face fines and legal penalties if they incorrectly classify cleaning staff or fail to comply with the pay rates set forth in the Cleaning Services Award.
Q4: Do part-time cleaners get penalty rates?
A4: Yes! Part-timers receive the same penalties as full-timers:
- 125% Saturdays
- 150% Sundays
- 250% Public Holidays
Q5: Can Workstem help with casual employee management?
A5: Absolutely. Workstem supports casual loading, dynamic rosters, and real-time tracking to ensure casual workers are paid correctly and fairly under the award.
Q6: Is Workstem compliant with Fair Work and STP2?
A6: Yes, Workstem is fully compliant with Fair Work obligations and Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 (STP2), ensuring seamless reporting to the ATO.
Read More：
Cleaning Services Award Guide [MA000022]
Automate MA000022 compliance with Workstem’s payroll software. [Start Free Trial]
