Changes to Cleaning Service Providers
The current Cleaning Service Agreements for metropolitan Melbourne schools are due to expire at the end of this year. New agreements have been awarded by the Department to five cleaning service providers that will begin as from 26 December 2024 and schools have received direct communication informing of the changes.
From 26 December 2024, each of the 10 areas will be serviced by the below service providers:
| Area | Service Provider |
| Area 1 – Southern Melbourne | Menzies Facility Services |
| Area 2 – Outer Eastern Melbourne | Tradeflex Services Group |
| Area 3 – Hume Merri-bek | Menzies Facility Services |
| Area 4 – Brimbank Melton | Serco Facilities Management |
| Area 5 – Western Melbourne | Serco Facilities Management |
| Area 6 – Inner Eastern Melbourne | Tradeflex Services Group |
| Area 7 – North Eastern Melbourne | Tradeflex Services Group |
| Area 8 – Bayside Peninsula | Menzies Facility Services |
| Area 9 – Central Lower | ARA Property Services |
| Area 10 – Central Inner | ISS Facilities Services |
Under the new service agreement:
- Cleaners must be paid 5 per cent above the Cleaning Services Award rate
- Providers must employ at least 25 per cent of staff for 52 weeks per year
- Cleaning areas will increase from 8 to 10 to reduce the number of schools in each area and improve the level of service and supervision
- Cleaners and schools will have new online portals to report feedback directly to the department
- Cleaners will have new induction and training modules, consistent across all schools
- Regular audits will be undertaken to ensure schools are clean
It is expected that existing providers will continue to provide cleaning services to their schools throughout this term.
The centralised cleaning model in metropolitan schools has received criticism for several reasons, particularly lower and inconsistent cleaning standards. Whilst centralised cleaning models may offer cost savings or administrative efficiencies at a government level, the loss of control and flexibility at the school level, combined with potential declines in cleaning quality is a significant downside. Whilst the changes aim to provide better employment conditions for cleaners, let’s hope they also bring a better cleaning operating model for schools.