Yes—an NSW contract cleaning industry employer must notify the agency of a worker’s start date within 3 months of the start of employment in the industry, according to the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) worker registration guidance (figures checked 1 October 2026). The worker becomes registered when the agency processes the notification, and the agency will supply the worker with a unique registration number.
How is this different from registering the cleaning business?
Worker notification and employer registration are separate obligations. The ABLIS employer registration guidance says an operator of a contract cleaning business must apply for registration if it employs workers on wages or salary to perform cleaning work.
| Action | Responsible party | Stated timing or outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for employer registration | The contract cleaning business operator | The operator must apply; the guidance does not state a separate 3-month deadline for this application |
| Notify the worker’s start date | The employer | Notify the agency within 3 months of the start of employment in the industry |
| Process the worker notification | The agency | The worker becomes registered when the agency processes it and receives a unique registration number |
Employer registration covers companies, partnerships, sole traders, trusts and other employing entities that employ workers on wages or salary to perform cleaning work. A person engaged solely to supervise workers is not eligible.
Registration provides employees in the industry with long service leave entitlements that are portable between employers. Employers must also pay a levy as part of their quarterly return.
Who counts as a worker under the scheme?
A worker is someone employed under a contract of service by an employer to perform commercial and domestic cleaning work. The definition applies to:
- full-time workers;
- part-time workers; and
- casual workers.
The guidance does not state separate hour thresholds for these employment categories.
The scheme does not cover:
- office staff;
- a partner in a partnership;
- a company director;
- a trustee of a trust;
- employees of Commonwealth, State, Territory or Local Government bodies; or
- workers who clean their employer’s premises.
What cleaning work is covered?
ABLIS gives examples rather than an exhaustive list. Covered cleaning work includes:
- mopping, vacuuming, dusting and sweeping;
- carpet cleaning;
- high-pressure cleaning of pavers, walkways and buildings;
- window and gutter cleaning;
- graffiti removal;
- swimming pool cleaning, but not swimming pool repair or maintenance work;
- housekeeping;
- cleaning stadiums and public areas;
- cleaning and sanitisation of food processing plants; and
- trolley collection.
How long does worker registration last, and is there a fee?
Worker registration is ongoing unless it is cancelled or suspended. ABLIS states that no fee is required for the worker registration service.
That is separate from the employer obligation to pay a levy as part of the quarterly return. The 3-month period is the employer’s notification window; the worker registration guidance does not state a separate processing-time period.
What should an employer check before acting?
ABLIS lists The Treasury and Long Service Corporation as the administering agencies. Check the current regulator or scheme-administrator page for updated forms, requirements and contact details.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. If the decision also relates to insurance, check the current regulator page and the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for your policy.
Sources
- Contract Cleaning Industry Worker Registration - Long Service Leave Scheme - NSW - Australian Business Licence and Information Service
- Contract Cleaning Industry Employer Registration - Long Service Leave - NSW - Australian Business Licence and Information Service
FAQ
Who must notify the agency of the cleaner’s start date?
The employer must notify the agency. The worker is not described as responsible for submitting this notification.
Does the 3-month deadline also apply to the employer’s own registration application?
The ABLIS employer-registration guidance says a qualifying operator must apply, but it does not state a separate 3-month deadline. The stated 3-month rule concerns notifying the agency of the worker’s start date.
Are full-time, part-time and casual cleaners all covered?
Yes. The worker definition applies to full-time, part-time and casual workers.
When does worker registration take effect?
It takes effect when the agency processes the employer’s notification. The agency will then supply the worker with a unique registration number.
Is worker registration free?
ABLIS states that no fee is required for the worker registration service. Registered employers remain responsible for paying a levy as part of their quarterly return.
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