Are office staff and company directors excluded from NSW cleaner worker registration?

Yes. The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) lists office staff and company directors among the workers the NSW contract cleaning long service scheme does not cover. Its guidance says the worker definition applies to full-time, part-time and casual workers; employers must notify the agency of a worker’s start date within 3 months, registration occurs when the agency processes the notification, the worker is supplied with a unique registration number, and the service has no fee (figures checked 1 October 2026).

Does working full-time, part-time or casually make a difference?

The employment pattern itself does not exclude a worker. ABLIS defines a worker as someone employed under a contract of service by an employer to perform commercial or domestic cleaning work.

These categories remain subject to the scheme’s exclusions, including its treatment of office staff and company directors.

What kinds of cleaning work are covered?

The examples listed by ABLIS include:

• Mopping, vacuuming, dusting and sweeping
• Carpet cleaning and housekeeping
• High-pressure cleaning of pavers, walkways and buildings
• Window and gutter cleaning
• Graffiti removal and trolley collection
• Cleaning stadiums and public areas
• Cleaning and sanitising food processing plants
• Swimming pool cleaning, but not repair or maintenance work

These are examples of covered work rather than the only cleaning tasks that may apply.

Which categories of workers are excluded?

The scheme does not cover workers who are:

Office staff and company directors are therefore expressly included in the exclusion list, rather than qualifying because they may also work for a cleaning business.

What must the employer do after a worker starts?

The registration process described by ABLIS requires the employer to:

• Notify the agency of the worker’s start date within 3 months of the start of their employment in the contract cleaning industry.
• Wait for the agency to process the notification.
• Register the worker at the time the notification is processed.
• Ensure the agency supplies the worker with their unique registration number.

The three-month notification period does not mean registration occurs automatically when employment begins. ABLIS states that registration happens when the agency processes the notification.

Is there a fee, and how long does registration last?

ABLIS lists the following service details:

The duration is therefore not described as ending automatically after a fixed period. It continues unless the registration is cancelled or suspended.

Who administers the scheme, and which laws are listed?

ABLIS names The Treasury and Long Service Corporation as the administering agencies. It also lists:

• Contract Cleaning Industry (Portable Long Service Leave Scheme) Act 2010 New South Wales
• Contract Cleaning Industry (Portable Long Service Leave Scheme) Regulation 2022 New South Wales

The listed Long Service Corporation contact details are:

• Phone: 13 14 41
• Email: info@longservice.nsw.gov.au

Does registration determine whether insurance covers a cleaner?

No. These registration rules address participation in the NSW contract cleaning long service scheme; they do not decide whether a particular insurance policy applies or covers a worker.

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the regulator’s current registration page before relying on an eligibility or notification requirement, and check your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for its definitions, exclusions and coverage.

Sources

• Contract Cleaning Industry Worker Registration — NSW Long Service Leave Scheme — Australian Business Licence and Information Service

FAQ

Are office staff and company directors excluded from NSW cleaner worker registration?

Yes. ABLIS expressly lists both office staff and a director of a company among the workers the scheme does not cover.

Does the worker definition include casual cleaners?

Yes. ABLIS says the definition applies to full-time, part-time and casual workers, although the listed exclusions still apply.

What happens if a worker only cleans their employer’s premises?

A worker who cleans their employer’s premises is expressly listed as excluded from the scheme.

When does a cleaning worker become registered?

The worker becomes registered when the agency processes the employer’s notification. The employer must notify the agency of the worker’s start date within 3 months of their start in the industry.

Is there a fee for the registration service?

ABLIS states that no fees are required for the service.