About The Sector

The cleaning sector is broad and extends to most areas of our daily lives. Cleaners work in schools, hospitals, hotels, factories, restaurants, sporting facilities and offices as well as in people’s homes.

Despite being involved in most areas of life, the cleaning industry is largely unnoticed by the public. Most workers in this industry work after hours or when the facilities are not being used.

While some cleaners work for individual organisations such as hotels or hospitals, a growing number work for cleaning contractors and are hired out to various facilities. Many others are self-employed. Cleaners may work part-time or on a casual basis for several employers, contractors or labour hire companies, so there is little job security.

Many migrants who don’t speak or read English fluently work in this industry.