Mandatory strata committee training in NSW: What changes from 1 October 2026?

Serving on a strata committee comes with real responsibility. Committee members make decisions about budgets, repairs, maintenance, by-laws and issues that can affect people’s homes, finances and day-to-day lives.

From 1 October 2026, new training requirements will apply to strata committee members in NSW. New and returning members will generally need to complete free online training within three months of being appointed.

Here is what strata committee members and owners corporations need to know.

What is changing for NSW strata committees?

From 1 October 2026, a person appointed to a strata committee must complete the NSW Fair Trading online course Introduction to Strata Committee Rights and Responsibilities within three months of their appointment.

The requirement applies to:

• new strata committee members

• returning committee members

• people appointed to fill a committee vacancy lasting more than three months.

The training is intended to give committee members a clearer understanding of their legal duties, governance role and responsibilities when making decisions on behalf of their owners corporation.

When does the training need to be completed?

Committee members appointed between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027 must complete the introductory course within three months of their appointment date.

For example:

• A member appointed on 1 October 2026 must complete the training by 1 January 2027.

• A member appointed on 1 June 2027 must complete the training by 1 September 2027.

Someone appointed before 1 October 2026 does not need to complete the training immediately. The requirement will apply when they are next appointed to the committee, although they may choose to undertake the course earlier.

The NSW Government describes this as an annual training requirement. Once members complete the introductory course, further training will become available in subsequent years. NSW Fair Trading is expected to publish more information about the 2027 requirements closer to that time.

What will the strata committee training cover?

The free, self-paced online course is expected to take approximately one hour and will be available through the Strata Hub.

It is designed to help committee members:

• understand their legal duties and governance responsibilities

• make more informed decisions about repairs and maintenance

• understand budgets, financial management and long-term planning

• identify and manage risks affecting their scheme

• navigate disputes and other common strata issues with greater confidence.

  
  

The purpose is not to turn volunteer committee members into strata professionals. It is to provide a practical foundation so they better understand the role they have accepted and can participate in committee decisions with greater confidence.

What happens if a committee member does not complete the training?

This is the most important part of the reform.

If a committee member does not complete the required training within three months of being appointed, they automatically cease to be a member of the strata committee.This occurs even if the committee secretary has not issued a formal notice.

Once the committee becomes aware that a member has not completed the training on time, it should prevent that person from taking part in future committee decisions and consider whether a general meeting is required to fill the vacancy.

A previous decision involving an untrained former member will generally remain valid where the committee acted in good faith and did not know that the person had ceased to be a committee member.

Are any committee members exempt?

The mandatory training requirements will not apply to:

• committee members in two-lot strata schemes

• strata managing agents serving as committee members

• members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers

• people filling a casual vacancy for less than three months.

An exempt committee member should provide evidence of the exemption to the committee secretary.

The requirement applies to strata committees under NSW strata legislation. It does not apply to association committees in community land schemes.

What should committee secretaries do?

Committee secretaries will have an important administrative role in helping members meet the new requirements.

NSW Fair Trading recommends that secretaries:

1. Record each committee member’s appointment date and training deadline.

2. Ask members to provide their Certificate of Completion.

3. Keep certificates for at least one year.

4. Send a reminder no later than two months after appointment if training has not been confirmed.

5. Issue a failure notice as soon as practicable where a member misses the deadline.

6. Notify the remaining committee members if a position becomes vacant.

NSW Fair Trading is expected to provide template reminder and failure notices closer to the commencement date.

What should strata schemes do before 1 October 2026?

Owners corporations do not need to wait until the reforms commence to prepare. A few simple steps can make the transition easier:

• advise current committee members about the upcoming requirement

• include information about the training in AGM papers and committee nomination material

• confirm committee contact details recorded through the Strata Hub are current

• establish a simple register for appointment dates, deadlines and completion certificates

• make sure prospective committee members understand the responsibility before nominating.

Good record keeping will be particularly important. With failure to complete the training resulting in automatic removal, committees should not rely on informal reminders or assume that every member has completed the course.

Why is mandatory strata committee training being introduced?

Strata committees regularly make decisions involving significant amounts of money, legal obligations and the maintenance of valuable shared property. Yet many owners join a committee with limited knowledge of NSW strata law or committee governance.

Mandatory training should help establish a consistent base level of knowledge across NSW schemes. Better-informed committees are more likely to plan ahead, keep appropriate records, understand the limits of their authority and work constructively with owners and their strata manager.

The training will not remove every disagreement or replace professional advice. However, it should help committees identify issues earlier, ask better questions and make more informed decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Is strata committee training mandatory in NSW?

Yes. From 1 October 2026, new and returning strata committee members must generally complete the required NSW Fair Trading training within three months of appointment, unless an exemption applies.

How much will the training cost?

The online training will be free.

How long will it take?

The introductory course is expected to take approximately one hour and can be completed online at the member’s own pace.

Where will committee members access the training?

The course will be available through the Strata Hub from 1 October 2026. NSW Fair Trading will publish access instructions when the course launches.

Do existing committee members have to complete it on 1 October?

Not necessarily. A person appointed before 1 October 2026 will generally need to complete the training within three months of their next appointment to the committee.

How Centric Strata can help

The new requirements are a timely reminder that effective strata governance depends on informed committee members, clear processes and accurate records.

Centric Strata works closely with strata committees across NSW to help them understand their responsibilities, prepare for legislative changes and make confident, well-informed decisions for their buildings.

If your committee has questions about the new training requirements or how to prepare, contact the Centric Strata team on 1300 017 211 or info@centricstrata.com.au.