Resolving issues in contract cleaning

Find information, tools and resources to help resolve problems in the workplace.

On this page:

Help for employees

In most cases, the quickest and easiest way to resolve a problem is to raise the issue directly with your employer.

For information and advice about situations that may happen at work, including not getting your pay slip or not receiving the right pay, visit Workplace problems.

Tip: Download our employee guide

For detailed steps on how to raise an issue with your employer, download An employee’s guide to fixing workplace problems An employee’s guide to fixing workplace problems.

Visa holders and migrant workers

Migrant workers and visa holders (including international students) have the same workplace entitlements and protections as all other workers in Australia. To learn more, visit Visa holders and migrant workers.

We provide free advice and assistance to help you understand your rights.

Tip: Help in your language

For workplace advice in your language, you can:

  • translate pages by choosing your language from the menu at the top of the page
  • find information and resources in our Language help section
  • call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 13 13 94.

Concerns about visas

It's important for employers and employees to know the rules of an employee’s visa. Some visas have rules about how many hours employees can work or where they can work.

An employer can't cancel an employee’s visa, even if the employee has breached their visa conditions. Only Home Affairs can grant, refuse or cancel visas.

The Australian Government has introduced the Strengthening Reporting Protections Pilot and Workplace Justice Visa Pilot. These new laws strengthen reporting protections for eligible visa holders experiencing workplace exploitation, allowing workers to seek help without fear of visa cancellation.

For more information, visit Visa protections – pilot programs.

Workplace issues

For a step-by-step guide to resolving a workplace issue if you’re a migrant worker, visit I'm a migrant worker being treated unfairly.

Example: Resolving a problem of not being paid for all time worked

Michael has just started working for a company that cleans large shopping centres. Before his first shift he is required to attend a training session to learn about their procedures, the cleaning products they use and the tasks he must do each day.

When Michael checks his first pay slip he notices he has not been paid for the training session. He has also not been paid for the time it takes him to collect and load the cleaning cart in the morning, or to return and unload the cleaning cart in the afternoon.

Michael reads about unpaid work on our website. He learns that because he had to attend the training, he must be paid for it. He must also be paid for all hours that the company requires him to work, including the time it takes him to collect and return the cleaning cart.

Michael brings the issue to his employer Sun-Young’s attention. He gives Sun-Young the information that he found and asks her to respond, letting her know that he may request assistance from us if she doesn’t reply. Sun-Young says that the company will back pay Michael the money he’s owed in his next pay.

Help for employers

Small business operators can find tailored tools, resources and information in our Small Business Showcase.

Our Employer Advisory Service gives eligible small businesses free tailored written advice on pay and entitlement issues. Learn more about this service at Employer Advisory Service.

Online learning courses on topics such as hiring employees and workplace flexibility are available in our Online learning centre.

Tip: Download our employer guide

For detailed steps on how to raise and resolve a workplace issue, download An employer’s guide to fixing workplace problems An employer’s guide to fixing workplace problems.

Our role in resolving workplace problems

We provide advice and assistance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act). We’re an impartial agency, meaning we don’t represent employers or employees.

We can help with issues relating to minimum entitlements under the Fair Work Act, an award or an enterprise agreement. This includes issues about:

  • underpayments of pay rates
  • leave entitlements
  • notice of termination and redundancy pay
  • general employment conditions
  • breaches of the National Employment Standards.

Learn more about our role and how to ask for our help, at Get our help with your workplace issue.

Tools and resources

Related information