Can my employer enforce unpaid cleaning duties under my award?

In Australia, a modern award is a legal document that sets out the minimum pay and working conditions for a specific industry. Your employer's claim that a 'programme' term allows for unpaid cleaning is highly suspect. While a modern award may include terms regarding "arrangements for when work is performed, including hours of work, rostering, notice periods, rest breaks and variations to working hours" [cite:au-fair-work-2009-sec139], this refers to how your schedule is managed, not a permission to perform labor for free. Under the Fair Work Act, a modern award "must not include terms that contravene" [cite:au-fair-work-2009-sec136] the National Employment Standards (NES). The NES provides a baseline of rights for all employees, including the right to be paid for all time spent performing work duties. If your manager is forcing you to clean for 45 minutes every Friday without pay, this likely violates the NES. Furthermore, a modern award "must not include an objectionable term" [cite:au-fair-work-2009-sec150]. An objectionable term is a rule in an award that is considered unfair or illegal. Requiring mandatory, unpaid labor is generally considered an illegal or objectionable practice. Because you are earning $25 per hour, these unpaid 45-minute shifts are costing you significant wages. While I cannot confirm the exact legality without seeing the specific 'programme' term your manager mentioned, the law generally prevents employers from using award terms to bypass the requirement to pay for all work performed. It is also worth noting that your manager's refusal to provide the specific section of the award is a significant red flag. State, provincial, or local laws in Queensland may also provide additional protections regarding employment and wages.