New requirements for cleaning in childcare are now in effect
Every person performing infection-control cleaning in ECEC must now hold NCCS certification. We deliver the training and certification your staff need to work in childcare.
What's Changed: New Requirements for Cleaning in Childcare
Four mandatory requirements now apply to every person who cleans in an ECEC setting
Infection-control and biohazard certification
Every person performing infection-control cleaning must hold NCCS Infection Prevention Specialist certification. General commercial cleaning credentials are no longer sufficient.
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
All cleaning staff working in ECEC settings must hold a valid WWCC for the relevant state or territory.
National Register clearance
All staff — including after-hours cleaners — must be cleared against the National Register. There is no exemption for staff who work outside operating hours.
No exemptions
These requirements apply to every person who enters the centre for cleaning purposes, regardless of when they work or how long they are on site.
The Paramount Consideration and the New Biological Hazards Code
The paramount consideration — the principle that the safety, health, and wellbeing of children is the primary concern — now extends to infection prevention and cleaning governance.
The updated Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace and the Biological Hazards Coderequire that anyone performing infection-control work be a "competent person" with documented training and verified competencies.
Throughout the day
Centres must prove sufficient cleaning hours while children are present — performed by certified staff
After hours
After-hours cleaners must also be certified — there is no exemption based on timing
Without NCCS certification, your staff cannot be classified as "competent persons" under WHS legislation — and centres cannot use them to meet their compliance obligations.
How NCCS Solves This for Your Business
NCCS certification is the pathway for cleaning companies to supply ECEC-compliant Infection Prevention Specialists who meet every requirement
NCCS Infection Prevention Specialist Certification
8-hour training program covering infection control, biohazard handling, and ECEC-specific protocols. Individual certificates issued on completion.
NCCS Supervisor Certification
For team leaders overseeing infection prevention work at client sites. Includes quality assurance and compliance verification training.
NCCS Auditor Certification
For senior staff managing compliance across multiple sites. Full governance and audit framework training.
Group & Multi-Site Discounts
Volume pricing for companies with multiple staff requiring certification. Contact us for portfolio pricing.
Why This Is a Commercial Opportunity
The companies that certify first will secure the contracts. The rest will lose them.
- 8,500+ approved ECEC services in Australia need compliant cleaning providers
- No prior infection prevention standard existed — NCCS fills the gap
- Daytime infection prevention contracts are a new revenue stream
- First-mover advantage: centres are choosing providers based on NCCS compliance now
- Differentiate your business from competitors who lack certification
- Win contracts that specifically require NCCS-certified staff
8,500+
ECEC services
0
Prior standards
New
Daytime contracts
Now
First-mover window
Licensing Opportunities
For larger cleaning operations, we offer licensing arrangements that allow you to deliver NCCS certification in-house. This includes train-the-trainer programs, branded certification materials, and ongoing support.
Ready to certify your team?
Get your staff NCCS certified and start winning ECEC contracts. The regulatory requirements are in effect now — the time to act is today.