Type of work covered by the scheme
The scheme covers work carried out in New South Wales in the contract cleaning industry from 1 July 2011.
The scheme does not apply to work performed before 1 July 2011.
- The work has to be all or mostly involved in bringing a premises to a clean condition, or keeping it in a clean condition. A premise means the whole or any part of a building, structure or place, whether built on or not.
- The work must be in the contract cleaning industry. This means the industry in which employers or sole traders provide cleaning services to other people.
- The scheme covers cleaning work performed on commercial and domestic premises.
- Cleaning services can include a small amount of minor property maintenance.
- Cleaners who are directly employed by the owners of the premises are not covered by the scheme.
Example
Mary and Joe both perform cleaning work but only one of them is eligible to register with the scheme.
Joe is employed by a business that is contracted to provide cleaning services to the owner of a retail business. Joe is covered by the scheme because he is employed by a cleaning contractor.
Mary is employed directly by the owner of a factory to clean the factory premises. Mary is not covered by the scheme because she is not employed by a contract cleaning industry employer.
Type of work eligible for the scheme
Some examples of the type of cleaning work covered by the scheme are listed below, however this is not an exhaustive list.
If you have any queries about the type of work an employee performs you should contact the Corporation for further advice.
- Mopping
- Vacuuming
- Dusting
- Sweeping
- Carpet cleaning
- High pressure cleaning of pavers, walkways and buildings
- Window and gutter cleaning
- Graffiti removal
- Swimming pool cleaning (not repair &/or maintenance work)
- Housekeeping
- Cleaning of stadiums and public areas
- Cleaning and sanitisation of food processing plants
- Trolley collection
Type of work not covered by the scheme
Some examples of the type of cleaning work not covered by the scheme are listed below, however this is not an exhaustive list.
If you have any queries about the type of work an employee performs you should contact the Corporation for further advice.
- Washing, drying and ironing linens etc.
- Lawn mowing
- Garden maintenance
- Sanitary hygiene control
- Cleaning of aircraft, trains, cars
- Cleaning mobile plant and equipment
- Vehicular rubbish removal
- Removal of waste oil/septic tank/grease traps
- General handy man work
- Initial or final cleaning on new construction
Work on Commonwealth places
As Commonwealth places fall under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Government, the NSW Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments (BCI LSP) and NSW Contract Cleaning Industry Long Service Leave (CCI LSL) schemes do not apply to work on these sites. Work conducted on a Commonwealth place currently does not attract either the BCI LSP or CCI LSL levy; and is not counted for service credits in the scheme at this time.
We understand and appreciate how this impacts people who work on these sites and are working with the Commonwealth on this issue. We will keep you updated as these discussions progress on our news page.
In November 2024, the NSW Government passed the Portable Long Service Leave Legislation Amendment Act 2024 to prevent the cancellation of worker registration due to work on Commonwealth places leading to a break in service credits. For more information, please see our news item.
In the meantime, the Corporation is taking steps to maintain records of this work to benefit you in the event the BCI LSP and CCI LSL schemes do apply to work at Commonwealth places in the future. In this regard all workers should register so we can have your service recorded.
The Corporation is looking into ways for employers to advise LSC of work performed on Commonwealth places. Details on how we will collect this advice from employers is under review and more information will be provided to employers in due course.
Please see the Australian Government Property Register for more information on all of the Commonwealth's leased office accommodation and owned land.
If you have any concerns, please call our helpline on 13 14 41.
To call us using an interpreter, please call the National Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask them to call us on 13 14 41.
Find more information on Commonwealth places.
