New training requirements for strata committee members have taken effect across New South Wales, requiring most newly appointed and returning committee members to complete an online course within three months of taking up their role.
The rules commenced on 1 October 2026 and apply to strata committees managing apartment buildings, townhouses and other strata schemes across the state.
Committee members who fail to complete the required training within the three-month period will automatically cease to be members of the strata committee.
One-Hour Online Course Now Mandatory
The first course, Introduction to Strata Committee Rights and Responsibilities, is delivered free through NSW Fair Trading’s Strata Hub.
The self-paced course takes around one hour and covers areas including:
- Committee members’ legal duties
- Repairs and maintenance
- Financial management
- Meetings and governance
- Record keeping
- Dispute resolution
Committee members appointed between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027 must complete the course within three months of their appointment.
A member appointed on 1 October 2026, for example, must complete the training by 1 January 2027.
Training Requirement Applies to New and Returning Members
The rules apply whether a person is joining a strata committee for the first time, returning after an annual general meeting, or filling a vacancy expected to last for more than three months.
A person serving on multiple strata committees only needs to complete the required training once during the relevant training period.
After completing the course, NSW Fair Trading issues a Certificate of Completion, which members are encouraged to provide to their committee secretary.
Committee members appointed before 1 October 2026 are not required to complete the course immediately. The requirement applies when they are next appointed, although they can choose to undertake the training earlier.
Some Committee Members Exempt
The mandatory training requirement does not apply to:
- Committee members in two-lot strata schemes
- NSW licensed strata managing agents
- Members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers
- People filling a casual committee vacancy for less than three months
The requirement currently applies to strata schemes and does not extend to association committees operating under community land schemes.
More Training Modules Planned for 2027
Although NSW legislation introduces an annual training requirement, committee members who complete the introductory course will not have to repeat the same module in future years.
NSW Fair Trading says additional training will begin rolling out in 2027, with future modules expected to build on topics relevant to strata governance and decision-making.
The introductory course was developed following consultation with strata owners and industry groups including the Owners Corporation Network and Strata Community Association NSW.
Part of Broader Strata Law Changes
The training requirement is part of a wider series of changes to NSW strata legislation that have been introduced in stages since 2023.
Other reforms have addressed areas including disclosure of conflicts of interest by strata managers, financial hardship arrangements, insurance commissions, levy estimates for new developments, minor renovations and sustainability infrastructure such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging.
From 1 October 2026, two-lot strata schemes are also exempt from annual Strata Hub reporting requirements, reflecting their generally simpler governance structure.
NSW has more than 1.2 million people living in strata properties, making committee decisions increasingly significant for building maintenance, finances and day-to-day management.
The new training requirement places a formal education obligation on the volunteer committee members responsible for many of those decisions.
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