The Minns Labor Government is launching new training to build the knowledge, confidence, skills and capacity of strata committee members who have the power to make significant decisions that affect people's homes, finances and daily lives in strata schemes like apartment blocks.
From today, new and returning strata committee members will be required to complete free online training delivered by NSW Fair Trading within three months of their appointment.
Strata committee members are unpaid volunteers and the new training rules are designed to make sure they understand, and can confidently navigate, their responsibilities such as hiring repairers and arranging insurance, approving applications for renovations or managing disputes between owners regarding breaches of by-laws.
The self-paced online course, Introduction to Strata Committee Rights and Responsibilities, takes around one hour to complete and covers key topics including committee member duties, repairs and maintenance, financial management, meetings, record keeping and dispute resolution.
This course is the first in a planned series of free training modules to be delivered through Strata Hub, the Government's digital platform centralising key information for people who live, own, build or work in strata schemes in NSW.
Additional courses will begin rolling out from 2027 to help strata committee members and owners continue building their knowledge, capability and confidence.
The training was developed by NSW Fair Trading in consultation with strata owners and key strata stakeholders, including the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) and Strata Community Association NSW (SCA NSW), helping ensure the content is practical, accessible and relevant to the day-to-day challenges faced by strata committees and owners.
The Government currently has its fourth tranche of legislation before NSW Parliament to make apartment living fairer. This mandatory training is part of a broader legislative agenda that has:
- Increased penalties for strata managing agents who don't disclose perceived or potential conflicts of interest,
- Enabled payment plans to be offered to owners in financial hardship,
- Protected owners from bill shock by requiring developers to have initial levy estimates in new strata buildings independently certified,
- Banned strata managing agents from taking a commission on insurance products when they don't play a role in finding the best deal for owners,
- Made it easier to do minor renovations,
- Removed barriers to the uptake of sustainability measures such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging by prohibiting by-laws that block the infrastructure due to external appearance.
This new training requirement is all part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to give people the confidence to live and invest in apartment buildings.
Acting Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Paul Scully said:
"More than 1.2 million people across NSW live in apartments.
"This training will support better decision-making in apartment communities and give residents greater confidence that the people managing their buildings understand their responsibilities.
"This is exactly the kind of work the Minns Labor Government envisioned when we established the Strata and Property Taskforce with an $8.4 million investment - delivering stronger protections, better governance and improved outcomes for residents."
Owners Corporation Network of Australia Ltd's Managing Director Operations David Glover said:
"Most strata committee members are volunteers who give their time to support their communities. This training will provide practical guidance and build confidence, helping committee members better understand their responsibilities and make informed decisions on behalf of owners and residents.
"Well-informed committees are essential to creating stronger, more harmonious and better-managed strata communities."
