Mandatory Strata Committee Training in NSW: What Owners Need to Know

Strata committee members have an important role in the management of a strata scheme and from 1 October 2026, they will also have a new training requirement to meet.

NSW Fair Trading has introduced mandatory training for strata committee members, designed to help committee members better understand their responsibilities, legal obligations and governance role. The new training will apply to new and returning strata committee members appointed from 1 October 2026.

Strata committee training | NSW Government

What does the new training involve?

From 1 October 2026, strata committee members will be required to complete a free online training course called “Introduction to Strata Committee Rights and Responsibilities”. The training:

• is free
• is completed online
• is self-paced
• takes approximately one hour
• must be completed within 3 months of being appointed to the committee. 

The training is intended to give committee members greater confidence in carrying out their role, including understanding their legal duties, managing repairs and maintenance, resolving disputes, managing risks and helping maintain the financial health of their scheme.

What happens if a committee member doesn't complete the training?

This is an important one for committees to be aware of. If a committee member does not complete the required training within three months of their appointment, they will automatically cease to be a committee member. A committee secretary may issue a notice advising the member that they have failed to complete the training; however, the member ceases to hold their position automatically even if a notice has not been issued. 

If a committee becomes aware that a member has failed to complete their training, the committee should take steps to ensure that person does not participate in future committee decisions and consider whether another owner needs to be appointed to fill the resulting vacancy.

Who needs to complete the training?

The requirement applies to committee members appointed between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027, including:

• new committee members;
• returning committee members; and
• owners appointed to fill a vacancy where the vacancy is for more than three months.

Are there any exemptions?

Yes. The training requirement does not apply to committee members who:

• are members of a two-lot strata scheme;
• are members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers;
• are strata managing agents; or
• are filling a casual vacancy for less than three months.

Where an exemption applies, the committee member should provide evidence of their exemption to the committee secretary. The requirement applies to strata committees in strata schemes and does not apply to association committees in community land schemes.

What does the committee secretary need to do?

NSW Fair Trading has identified several tasks for strata committee secretaries to help ensure committee members meet their obligations. These include:

• collecting certificates of completion;
• sending reminder notices where required; and
• sending failure notices and notifying the committee where a member has not completed the training.

What should strata committees do now?

With the new requirements commencing on 1 October 2026, committees may wish to:

1. Be aware of the new requirement before the next AGM or committee appointment.
2. Inform owners who are considering nominating for the committee.
3. Keep records of certificates of completion.
4. Monitor the three-month deadline for each committee member.
5. Ensure any applicable exemptions are documented.

At Your Strata Services, we understand that effective strata management is about more than simply complying with legislation. A well-informed and engaged strata committee can make a significant difference to the way a scheme is managed. 

We will continue to keep our owners and committees informed as further details about the training requirements and access arrangements are released.