The Andrews Labor Government will establish a fairer schools cleaning contract model that will ensure schools get consistent, high quality services and cleaners are paid properly.
It comes after multiple investigations within the past 12 months have found vulnerable staff were being underpaid and mistreated.
Minister for Education James Merlino today announced an overhaul of government school cleaner procurement, with a new model to be rolled out across Melbourne next year, prior to its roll out across regional Victoria.
Under a new model, eight zones will be created across metropolitan Melbourne and a single cleaning contract will be awarded for all schools in each.
In regional Victoria, the new model will strengthen the focus on contractor compliance, with the move to a zoned model to be informed by the roll out in Melbourne.
This new model will create consistent, high quality standards for cleaning in government schools and ensure all cleaning staff in our schools receive their legal wages and entitlements.
The model will also reduce the workload of Principals by freeing up the time spent managing cleaning contracts.
The Department of Education and Training will work with existing cleaning contractors to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements, with support available for small businesses.
An open and competitive tender process will be run to appoint cleaning companies to the eight zones.
Successful companies will be required to recruit from the current Victorian government school cleaning workforce.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Cleaning staff are valued members of our school communities, and this new model will strengthen their working conditions and make sure they get a fair deal.”
“This new model will ensure schools get high quality cleaning services, principals are better supported to look after their schools and cleaners are treated fairly.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020