What to Expect from Late 2026

As part of the NSW Government’s continuing strata reform agenda, mandatory training requirements for strata committee members are expected to be finalised in late 2026. This upcoming reform is designed to raise governance standards, reduce disputes, and ensure strata committee members are better equipped to carry out their legal duties.

If you are a strata committee member, lot owner, or owners corporation, this change is highly relevant and preparation is strongly recommended.

Why Mandatory Training for Strata Committees Is Being Introduced

Strata committees play a critical role in managing:

• Building maintenance and repairs
• Financial decision‑making and budgets
• Service provider appointments
• Compliance with the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW)
• Dispute resolution and risk management

However, many committee members are volunteers with limited exposure to strata legislation. The NSW Government has identified that a lack of training often leads to:

• Poor decision‑making
• Delays in maintenance
• Legal disputes and NCAT applications
• Non‑compliance with statutory duties
• Increased costs for owners corporations

Mandatory training aims to improve decision quality and confidence across all strata schemes.

What Is Expected to Change in Late 2026?

While final details are still being developed, the reform is expected to introduce:

✅ Mandatory Training for All Strata Committee Members

Every elected strata committee member may be required to complete approved training within a specified period after election.

✅ Prescribed Training Content

Training is likely to cover:

• Roles and responsibilities of committee members
• Key provisions of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015
• Financial and budget management
• Common property maintenance obligations (section 106)
• Conflicts of interest and ethical decision‑making
• Risk, insurance, and record‑keeping
• Working effectively with strata managing agents

✅ Approved Training Providers

Training may be delivered through:

• NSW Fair Trading–approved online modules
• Accredited industry providers
• Professional training platforms linked to Strata Hub

✅ Ongoing Compliance Obligations

There may be:

• Time limits to complete training after appointment
• Refresher training requirements
• Record‑keeping and compliance monitoring

Who Will Be Affected?

The proposed training requirement is expected to apply to:

• All elected strata committee members
• Newly elected members following AGMs
• Owners corporations of all sizes (with possible limited exemptions for very small schemes)

Voluntary committee participation will continue, but training will ensure members understand their responsibilities before making decisions that affect the entire scheme.

Benefits of Mandatory Strata Committee Training

Mandatory training is expected to deliver major benefits for owners corporations, including:

✅ Better compliance with NSW strata laws
✅ Improved financial and maintenance planning
✅ Reduced disputes and legal exposure
✅ Faster, more confident decision‑making
✅ Stronger transparency and governance
✅ Improved working relationships with strata managers

For owners, this means better outcomes and protection of property value.

What Strata Committees Should Do Now

Even before formal requirements commence, strata committees are encouraged to:

• Review governance practices
• Improve record‑keeping and decision documentation
• Seek guidance from professional strata managers
• Encourage committee members to upskill voluntarily
• Stay informed on NSW Fair Trading announcements

Early preparation will make future compliance easy and stress‑free.

How Strata Managers Will Support This Change

Professional strata managers will play a key role by:

• Advising committees when training becomes mandatory
• Coordinating access to approved training resources
• Assisting with compliance tracking
• Providing ongoing legislative guidance
• Supporting better‑informed committee decisions

A well‑trained committee, supported by an experienced strata manager, significantly reduces long‑term risk for a strata scheme.

Looking Ahead

The introduction of mandatory training reflects a broader shift in NSW strata law toward:

• Higher governance standards
• Professionalised decision‑making
• Greater accountability and transparency

Once finalised, this reform will represent one of the most important governance changes in NSW strata management.