The cleaning industry has a well-documented problem. Investigations by the Fair Work Ombudsman over many years have found underpayment, unpaid hours, sham contracting and exploitation of vulnerable workers, often hidden behind layers of subcontracting. Building owners — including body corporates — sit at the top of those supply chains. The Cleaning Accountability Framework exists to help them do better.
What is the Cleaning Accountability Framework?
The Cleaning Accountability Framework (CAF) is an independent, multi-stakeholder initiative in Australia that brings together building owners, cleaning contractors, unions, investors and others to improve labour standards in cleaning. It provides:
- a certification scheme for buildings
- standards for cleaning contractors
- tools for checking that cleaners are paid and treated fairly
- worker engagement to make sure cleaners can raise concerns
While CAF certification has been most common in commercial office buildings, its principles apply to any building that engages cleaners — including strata.
The risks for buildings
Underpayment
The Cleaning Services Award 2020 sets minimum rates, penalty rates for early mornings, nights and weekends, and allowances. Quotes that are well below market rates can only be achieved by cutting hours or cutting pay.
Sham contracting
Workers wrongly treated as “independent contractors” miss out on superannuation, leave and workers’ compensation. It’s illegal under the Fair Work Act 2009.
Subcontracting chains
When a contractor subcontracts to another, who subcontracts again, visibility disappears and risk increases.
Modern slavery
Severe exploitation is a modern slavery risk. Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 requires large entities to report on risks in their supply chains, and cleaning is a recognised high-risk sector. See our modern slavery statement.
Why it matters to a body corporate
- Ethics: owners don’t want their building cleaned by exploited workers.
- Reputation: underpayment scandals damage buildings and brands.
- Quality: fairly paid, properly trained, stable staff do better work and stay longer.
- Legal exposure: accessorial liability under the Fair Work Act can extend to those involved in contraventions.
Questions to ask your cleaner
- Are cleaners employees or contractors?
- Are they paid at least the Cleaning Services Award, including penalties and allowances?
- Do you subcontract? If so, to whom, and how do you check compliance?
- How are hours recorded?
- How can cleaners raise concerns?
- Do you follow the Cleaning Accountability Framework or similar standards?
A realistic price
Fair pay has a cost. When comparing quotes, look at the full scope and whether the price can realistically cover Award wages, superannuation, workers’ compensation, insurance, supervision and equipment. Our quote comparison guide shows how.
What fair pay looks like in a quote
Committees don’t need to become payroll experts, but a little arithmetic helps. A cleaner working early mornings or weekends attracts penalty rates under the Award. On top of wages, an employer pays superannuation, workers’ compensation premiums, payroll costs, leave entitlements, supervision, insurance, equipment, chemicals, vehicles and administration. If a quote looks far below the others for the same scope, something is missing.
That doesn’t mean the highest price is the most ethical. It means the price should be explainable. Ask providers how they make sure their cleaners are paid correctly, and be cautious of anyone who can’t or won’t.
Records and transparency
Electronic time records are one of the best protections against underpayment. When cleaners clock in and out on site, with location data, there’s an objective record of hours worked that can be checked against pay. Our app records every shift this way, so our cleaners are paid for every hour they work.
Worker voice
A key principle of the Cleaning Accountability Framework is that cleaners should be able to raise concerns without fear. That means knowing their rights, having a way to report problems and being protected from retaliation. Ask providers how their cleaners can raise concerns, and whether they ever survey staff.
Practical steps for your committee
- Add a clause to the cleaning contract requiring compliance with the Fair Work Act and the relevant award.
- Ask for confirmation that cleaners are employees, or for details of any subcontractors.
- Request evidence of workers’ compensation cover.
- Include a right to audit compliance if concerns arise.
- Review the arrangement at each renewal.
These steps cost nothing and send a clear message about the standards the building expects.
Our commitment
Strata Cleaning Co. is aligned to the Cleaning Accountability Framework. Our cleaners are paid at least the Award, hours are recorded electronically through our app, and we don’t use sham contracting. Read more on our Cleaning Accountability Framework page.
Book a free site visit and ask us anything about how our people are employed.
By Strata Cleaning Co. · 17 October 2026