Victoria’s New Education Requirements – A Significant Step Towards Professional Recognition

The introduction of Victoria’s new Owners Corporations (Education) Regulations 2026* establishes mandatory education and continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for Officers in Effective Control (OIEC).

For decades, the Strata Community Association (SCA) across Australia and New Zealand has advocated for stronger education requirements and greater professional recognition of strata management. As apartment living has grown and buildings have become more complex, SCA has consistently argued that strata management cannot simply be viewed through the same lens as real estate sales, property management or general administration.

Today’s Strata Managers operate at the intersection of governance, finance, compliance, risk management, building maintenance, dispute resolution, insurance, procurement and community leadership. Under delegated authority, they look after significant financial assets, guide volunteer committees, navigate complex legislation and support millions of people living and working in strata communities.

The responsibilities of a modern strata manager are vastly different from those of a property manager managing a residential tenancy.

Importantly, this distinction was recognised nationally in late 2024 through the release of the Occupation Standard Classification Australia (OSCA)**, which formally separated Strata Community Managers from Property Managers as distinct occupations. This was an important milestone for the profession and reflected what the industry has long understood that strata management requires a unique and specialised skill set that warrants its own professional pathway.

This recognition is increasingly being reflected in government policy. In late 2025, the Western Australian Government announced strengthened education requirements for Strata Managers***, acknowledging the growing complexity of strata management and the need for specialised industry knowledge. Together with Victoria’s reforms, these changes demonstrate a growing national
recognition that strata management is a distinct profession requiring dedicated education pathways and ongoing professional development.

The Victorian Government’s new regulations build on that growing recognition. From 30 June 2027, individuals applying for registration with the Business Licensing Authority and those already registered will be required to nominate an “Officer in Effective Control” (OIEC) who has completed and passed five core units from the CPP40521 Certificate IV in Strata Community Management. The regulations also introduce mandatory CPD requirements from 1 April 2028 whereby registered OIECs will be required to complete at least five CPD activities annually, with at least two activities being mandatory sessions approved by the Business Licensing Authority and accompanied by a written assessment.

While this represents a positive step forward, it is worth noting that SCA (Vic) advocated for a broader qualification framework. SCA (Vic) supported a model that would see all Owners Corporation Managers complete a set qualification, in addition to mandatory CPD annually.

SCA (Vic) advocated for higher qualification requirements for the OIEC. As senior leaders within strata businesses, the OIEC carries significant responsibility for governance, compliance, consumer protection and operational oversight. Increasingly, they are required to manage complex business risks, changing legislative requirements, cybersecurity concerns, workforce challenges and consumer expectations. SCA’s position has consistently been that education requirements should reflect these responsibilities and the increasing complexity of modern strata communities.

Importantly, the regulations establish clear standards around what constitutes genuine professional development. Activities must be delivered live, either face-to-face or through interactive online learning environments. Self-directed study, pre-recorded webinars and conference attendance alone will not satisfy the requirements.

Similar principles informed recent reforms in Western Australia, where the Government strengthened education requirements for Strata Managers and reinforced the importance of industry-specific qualifications. SCA welcomed those reforms as another positive step towards ensuring education requirements better align with the knowledge, governance and compliance responsibilities expected of modern strata professionals.

This reflects a broader shift towards ensuring professional development delivers meaningful learning outcomes rather than simply accumulating attendance hours.

The introduction of mandatory education and CPD requirements should be welcomed by both industry and consumers.

For consumers, the reforms provide greater confidence that Managers possess a minimum level of knowledge and are maintaining their skills as legislation and industry practices evolve.

For the profession, the reforms represent another step towards greater recognition of the expertise required to successfully manage strata communities.

However, SCA views these reforms as part of a longer journey rather than the final destination.

Across Australia and New Zealand, SCA has advocated for many years for education requirements that properly reflect the scope, complexity and responsibilities of strata management. That advocacy continues today. As strata communities become larger, more sophisticated and increasingly important to housing policy, the need for specialised education and professional standards will only continue to grow.

The introduction of the Victorian regulations demonstrates that governments are increasingly recognising the value of professional education within the sector. It also reinforces the importance of maintaining qualifications that are specifically designed for strata management rather than relying on education pathways developed primarily for real estate or property management professions.

The future of strata management will require highly skilled professionals capable of navigating increasingly complex governance, financial, regulatory and community challenges. Education remains one of the most effective ways to support that future.

The reforms introduced in Victoria, together with similar initiatives already underway in Western Australia, demonstrate that governments are increasingly recognising the value of professional education within the strata sector. They also reinforce the importance of maintaining qualifications specifically designed for strata management rather than relying on education pathways developed primarily for real estate or property management professions.

*https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/ownerscorporations-education-regulations-2026/001

**https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/osca-occupationstandard-classification-australia/2024-version-1-0/browse-classification/5/59/599/5999/599937

***https://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/strata-and-community-titles/strata-titles/strata-law-and-reform/strata-management-education-changes/