Serving on a strata committee is one of the most impactful ways to shape your community. You make everyday decisions that safeguard property values, protect shared finances, and ensure your building remains a safe, welcoming place to live. But navigating the legal responsibilities, financial reporting, and maintenance planning of modern strata schemes can sometimes feel complex.
To support committee members in their roles, NSW Fair Trading has introduced mandatory online training starting on 1 October 2026*.
At Australian Strata Management (ASM Strata Management), our vision is helping strata communities thrive through proactive education and trusted management. If you are a lot owner in a strata development in NSW here is a comprehensive breakdown of what these new training requirements mean for you, your committee, and your scheme.
What Is the New Strata Committee Training?
From 1 October 2026, all new, returning and reappointed strata committee members in New South Wales must complete free online training delivered by NSW Fair Trading.
For the first year (1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027), members will complete the foundational course known as: “Introduction to Strata Committee Rights and Responsibilities”.
Here are the key details of the training program:
- Cost: Completely free.
- Format: Online and self-paced.
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour to complete.
- Platform: Hosted directly on the NSW Strata Hub.
- Ongoing Learning: Once you’ve completed the introductory unit, you’ll gain access to additional annual refresher modules as NSW Fair Trading updates the requirements from 2027 onwards.
This training is designed to give committee members practical skills and clear legal information. It helps everyone understand governance roles, manage repairs and maintenance proactively, resolve internal disputes smoothly, and keep schemes financially healthy.
Who Must Complete the Training and When?
The requirement applies to any committee member appointed on or after 1 October 2026. This includes:
- Newly elected committee members joining for the first time.
- Returning committee members re-elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
- Members appointed to fill a casual vacancy for longer than three months.
The Deadline: You must complete the online training within three months of being appointed to the committee.
What Happens if Training Isn’t Completed on Time?
NSW Fair Trading has established a strict consequence: if a committee member fails to finish the training within the three-month window, they are automatically removed from the committee.
Key compliance points to remember include:
- Automatic Removal: The cessation happens by law at the end of the three-month period. While the committee secretary may issue a formal notice confirming this, the member automatically ceases to hold office even if no notice is sent.
- Validity of Decisions: If your committee makes decisions in good faith without knowing that an individual missed their deadline, those decisions will generally remain legally valid.
- Filling Vacancies: Once a committee learns that a member has been disqualified, they must ensure that person no longer votes on decisions. If a replacement is required—such as maintaining the statutory minimum of three members for schemes with more than 100 lots—the owners corporation will need to hold a general meeting to elect a new member.
- Re-appointment: If an individual is re-appointed during the same 12-month period, they receive a fresh three-month window from their new appointment date to complete the training.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Training requirements do not apply to committee members who are:
- In a two-lot strata scheme.
- Practising members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers.
- Licensed strata managing agents.
- Appointed to fill a casual vacancy lasting less than three months.
If you qualify for an exemption, simply provide evidence to your committee secretary to keep on record. Note that this regulation applies exclusively to strata schemes and does not extend to association committees in community land schemes.
Essential Tasks for the Committee Secretary
Strata committee secretaries will play an important role in tracking compliance and supporting governance. NSW Fair Trading recommends secretaries carry out the following duties:
- Collect Certificates of Completion: NSW Fair Trading issues a Certificate of Completion once training is done. Committee members should provide a copy to the secretary within their three-month training window. Secretaries are encouraged to retain these records for at least one year.
- Issue Two-Month Reminder Notices: Secretaries should send a formal reminder notice no later than two months after a member’s appointment. The notice advises members of their upcoming completion deadline and asks for their certificate. NSW Fair Trading will supply template notices ahead of 1 October, and copies should be retained for at least one year.
- Issue Failure Notices & Inform the Committee: If a member fails to provide their certificate by the deadline, the secretary should issue a Failure to Complete Training Notice as soon as practicable, informing them that their committee membership has ceased. The secretary must also inform remaining committee members promptly so only eligible members participate in decisions.
How Strata Communities Will Be Informed by NSW Fair Trading
NSW Fair Trading will communicate training details across several channels:
- Strata Hub Email Notifications: Committee members listed in the Strata Hub annual reporting register will receive direct email updates. Ensure your contact details on Strata Hub are current or ask your ASM Strata Manager to verify them.
- Industry Updates: Information will be shared through NSW Fair Trading’s Property Matters newsletter and social media channels (Facebook and LinkedIn).
- Direct Access: The Strata Hub training portal will be updated on 1 October 2026 with full registration and course access links.
An Open Opportunity for All Owners and Residents
Please note that training is not restricted to active committee members. Once live on Strata Hub, anyone can complete the free modules, including:
- Owners considering joining the committee in future elections.
- Residents who want to understand how strata decisions, finances, and maintenance work.
- Current members appointed before 1 October 2026 who want to refresh their knowledge.
How ASM Strata Management Helps Your Committee
Navigating regulatory updates like this new training requirement is part of our commitment to your community. At Australian Strata Management, your local Strata Manager is here to support you.
Have questions about how the new NSW strata training rules impact your committee? Contact your local ASM Strata Management branch today to speak with your Strata Manager.
*Check back on NSW Fair Trading site after 1 October to access the training video.
Source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata/serving-on-a-committee/strata-committee-training
FAQs
Who must complete the new NSW strata training, and what is the timeframe?
Every new, returning, or reappointed strata committee member appointed on or after 1 October 2026 must complete the free online course within three months of their appointment. The self-paced introductory course takes about one hour and is hosted directly on the NSW Strata Hub.
What happens if a committee member misses the three-month deadline?
If a member does not finish the training within three months of being appointed, they automatically cease to be a committee member by law. Past committee decisions made in good faith generally remain valid, but the non-compliant member cannot participate in any future committee votes or discussions.
Are any strata committee members exempt from the training?
Yes. Mandatory training does not apply to committee members in two-lot strata schemes, practising members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers, licensed strata managing agents, or members filling a casual vacancy lasting less than three months. Exempt members simply need to provide evidence to their committee secretary.
What specific responsibilities does the committee secretary have under these rules?
Secretaries are encouraged to collect and store Certificates of Completion for at least one year, issue reminder notices no later than two months after appointment and issue a Failure to Complete Training Notice if a member misses their three-month deadline so the remaining committee can manage the vacancy.
Glossary of Terms
Strata Committee
A group of lot owners elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to manage the day-to-day administration, maintenance, and decision-making for their strata scheme.
Owners Corporation
The legal entity comprising all lot owners within a strata scheme, responsible for maintaining common property and managing the scheme’s finances and bylaws.
Strata Hub
The NSW Government online portal used for annual reporting, regulatory management, and hosting the mandatory strata committee training modules.