1. Cleaning Reforms
Area Based Cleaning Model

2. Reform objectives
To improve the quality, standard and consistency of cleaning services in all Victorian government schools
To provide safe and clean learning facilities for all students at Victorian government schools
To provide a better-regulated, high-standard cleaning model to Victorian government schools
To heighten accountability and improve performance from all cleaning contractors
To reduce the time spent by school staff on cleaning administration to enable focus on their core business of teaching and learning, while maintaining oversight of some practical cleaning arrangements for their school
To strengthen fair working conditions by ensuring correct remuneration and entitlements for cleaning staff.

3. Cleaning Reforms
An Area Based Cleaning Model for government schools in metropolitan Melbourne:
Eight separate zones will each be tendered to a single cleaning supplier
Procurement for these contracts will be managed centrally by the Department of Education and Training (DET)
Successful suppliers must recruit from the existing school cleaning workforce
There will be transitional provisions which support small cleaning businesses over the next three years
A range of measures to improve school cleaning in regional Victoria:
The introduction of a strengthened compliance and monitoring framework including an annual audit of cleaning contractors
Minimum cleaning standards will be assessed through an audit regime.
More active monitoring of cleaning contracts by DET
The transition to this new model will take place during 2018.

4. How do these new reforms affect my school?
These reforms will improve cleaning in every Victorian government school
DET has contacted all principals outlining the reforms and how your school fits into the new model
Your school falls under one of three categories:
Metropolitan government schools commencing in the new model during 2018
Metropolitan government schools with a transitional provision for small business
Regional government schools

5. Reform Impacts Metropolitan Schools
Metropolitan government schools commencing in the new model during 2018:
Cleaning funding will become centrally managed by the DET for metropolitan schools
Reduced cleaning administration and management enabling schools to focus on their core business of teaching and learning, while maintaining oversight of some of the practical cleaning arrangements for their school
Reduced risk of industrial and contractual disputes.
Metropolitan government schools with a transitional provision:
Longer transition time for schools serviced by small business owners in recognition of the role of small business in the cleaning industry and Victorian government schools
Schools and small businesses can agree to a new contract up to 30 June 2020
Schools will switch to new model once arrangements with small business ends

6. Reform Impacts Regional Schools Regional government schools:
Regional schools will continue to receive funding for cleaning purposes
Regional areas will continue to independently procure their own cleaning services with a stronger compliance and monitoring framework
Identified poor practices will be subject to strengthened processes, and action will be taken to rectify the situation
Minimum cleaning standards will be assessed through an audit regime
Cleaning contractors servicing regional Victorian government schools will be subject to an ongoing audit program to ensure they maintain the requirements in the Panel Agreement with the DET.

7. Further Queries?
DET will provide regular updates to all schools as these changes are implemented
For immediate assistance, please contact the DET ‘s cleaning team on:
Ph:
You can also visit DET website: x