SCA Advocacy in Action – Second Edition 2026

NSW: Relationships, Persistence and a Trusted Voice at the Table

It has been an exceptionally busy few months in the advocacy space, with significant engagement across government, regulators and industry stakeholders on issues that directly affect NSW strata communities.

With an eye on the NSW election in March 2027, SCA (NSW) has joined a coalition of business, consumer, community and industry organisations calling on all parties in the NSW Parliament to commit to abolishing the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) in its current form.

SCA (NSW) are also supporting the Insurance Council of Australia’s Why Are We Waiting? Scrap the Insurance Tax campaign, which advocates for a fairer funding model for emergency services. This issue is particularly important for strata communities because owners corporations are legally required to insure their buildings and have therefore shouldered a disproportionate share of emergency services funding for many years. SCA (NSW) lodged a submission to the NSW Legislative Assembly’s Emergency Services Funding Reform Inquiry and appeared before the public hearing in September to ensure the strata sector’s position was heard.

At the same time, SCA (NSW) has remained actively engaged with Minister Chanthivong and NSW Fair Trading during an unprecedented period of legislative activity with three strata-specific bills having been debated in the NSW Parliament.

With the endorsement of the dedicated Policy and Legislation Committee, SCA (NSW) has provided feedback across seven key policy initiatives during this period. SCA (NSW) has also supported members through the introduction of mandatory strata committee training, delivering an exclusive webinar, and facilitating direct Q&A sessions with the NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner to help strata managers understand these changes.

SCA (NSW) was also pleased to secure approval for the renewal of the SCA (NSW) Professional Standards Scheme for a further three-year term from 1 July 2026, from the Professional Standards Council. This renewal reinforces the high standards expected of professionals and demonstrates our industry’s ongoing commitment to meet rigorous standards of education, professional development, consumer protection, and continuous improvement.

Advocacy isn’t always visible, and it rarely comes with immediate results. More often, progress is achieved through strong relationships, persistence and ensuring the strata sector has a trusted voice at the table when important decisions are being made. That is where SCA (NSW) continues to focus its efforts on behalf of members and broader strata communities.

VIC: Strata Reform Underway – Advocating for the Sector

Victoria’s strata sector is entering an important period of reform, following the tabling of the Expert Panel’s Final Report from the statutory review of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 and the release of the Victorian Government’s response.

SCA (Vic) welcomes the Government’s broad commitment to stronger consumer protections, improved transparency, enhanced professionalism, better education, and a more proactive regulatory framework for owners corporations. The final report also clearly reflects the significant input of SCA (Vic) members, with SCA (Vic)’s submission, member survey results and consultation feedback referenced throughout the review.

Many of the proposed reforms align with long-held SCA (Vic) advocacy positions. These include lowering voting thresholds in certain areas, improving committee education, strengthening maintenance planning, supporting sustainability measures, and improving governance and accountability across the sector. SCA (Vic) also welcomes proposals that would allow owners corporations to pursue non-monetary matters through the Magistrates’ Court, rather than being limited to VCAT.

The first tranche of reform, introduced through the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, focuses on financial hardship payment plans, clarification of legal proceedings available to owners corporations, and amendments to subdivision processes. These reforms include a formal payment plan framework for lot owners, privacy protections for hardship requests, annual reporting requirements, and changes to how lot owner payments are applied.

SCA (Vic) supports fair and practical hardship measures. However, we will carefully review the proposed framework to assess its impact on owners corporations, managers, cash flow, administrative workload and debt recovery processes. SCA (Vic) will also continue to advocate for owners corporations to have access to both VCAT and the Magistrates’ Court for monetary claims and debt recovery matters.

The Government has confirmed its intention to introduce a licensing scheme for owners corporation managers as part of its broader professionalisation agenda. This builds on Victoria’s new education regulations, which introduce mandatory education and CPD requirements for Officers in Effective Control.

Under the new regulations, registered owners corporation management companies will be required to appoint an Officer in Effective Control (OIEC) with the Business Licensing Authority. OIECs will be required to complete any five core units from the Certificate IV in Strata Community Management by 30 June 2027. From 1 April 2028, registered OIECs will also need to complete at least five CPD activities each year. At least two must be mandatory sessions approved by the Business Licensing Authority and include a written assessment.

SCA (Vic) has long advocated for stronger education standards and greater recognition of strata management as a distinct profession. We view these reforms as part of a longer journey towards a more professional, transparent and trusted sector. SCA (Vic) met with the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Paul Edbrooke MP, on 23 June to continue this important discussion and ensure members’ practical experience is strongly represented.

QLD: Building Momentum for Queensland’s Strata Sector

The past five months have been a period of significant activity for SCAQ as we continues to advocate for a stronger, more professional and more sustainable strata sector across Queensland.

As Queensland’s population grows and strata living becomes increasingly common, the importance of effective advocacy has never been greater. Our focus remains on ensuring that the voices of strata professionals are heard in policy discussions, regulatory reform processes and broader conversations about housing, community living and consumer outcomes.

One of our key advocacy priorities continues to be the implementation of Queensland’s seller disclosure reforms. Since the commencement of the new framework, SCAQ has continued to engage with government regarding the practical implications for strata managers and bodies corporate. Through member feedback, industry data and direct discussions with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, we have highlighted concerns around administrative burden, liability and the adequacy of prescribed fees. This work remains ongoing as we seek practical improvements that deliver transparency for consumers while recognising the realities of managing increasingly complex strata communities.

SCAQ has also continued its active involvement in discussions regarding the future regulation of strata managers in Queensland. Professional standards remain central to our vision for the sector. We support measures that strengthen consumer confidence, recognise the expertise required to manage strata communities effectively and encourage ongoing professional development. Importantly, we continue to advocate for reforms that are evidence-based, proportionate and capable of supporting businesses of all sizes across Queensland.

Beyond specific policy matters, SCAQ has maintained strong engagement with key stakeholders through participation in government working groups, industry forums and consultation processes. These relationships ensure that the practical experiences of strata professionals inform decision-making and that emerging issues affecting our sector are identified early.

A major highlight of the quarter was the delivery of StrataWeek 2026. Under the theme Standards Matter, the campaign focused on raising awareness of the critical role professional strata managers play in supporting Queensland communities. Through media engagement, social media activity, member resources and stakeholder outreach, StrataWeek reinforced the importance of ethical practice, continuing professional development and professional accountability. It also provided an opportunity to encourage consumers to seek out qualified professionals who are committed to industry standards and ongoing education.

QStrata 2026 also provided a valuable platform for advocacy, bringing together industry leaders, government representatives, regulators, partners and practitioners to discuss the future of strata living in Queensland. Conversations throughout the conference highlighted the growing importance of professional standards, workforce capability, housing supply, community expectations and the role of strata in supporting Queensland’s future housing needs. The event demonstrated the strength of our sector and the collective commitment to continuous improvement.

As we move into the second half of 2026, SCAQ remains focused on delivering practical outcomes for members and the communities they serve. Whether through policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, professional standards initiatives or public awareness campaigns, our goal remains clear: to strengthen confidence in the strata sector and ensure Queensland continues to benefit from a professional, ethical and capable strata management profession.

Thank you to the many members, volunteers, committees, partners and stakeholders who contribute their expertise and insights to support this work. Advocacy is strongest when it is informed by the collective experience of the sector, and your engagement continues to help ensure SCAQ remains a trusted and influential voice for strata in Queensland.

WA: Six Months of Progress for WA Strata

The past six months have seen SCA (WA) deliver across multiple advocacy fronts, reflecting the breadth of work required to represent a sector as dynamic and complex as strata.

Launched at the Annual Law Week event in May 2026, SCA (WA)’s new Strata Management Agreement Template better reflects current legislative requirements and embeds best practice standards, giving strata managers and strata companies a more practical, legally robust resource. Available exclusively to members, it’s a tangible example of membership delivering real operational value.

The Strata Sustainability Strategy Committee is developing a first-of-its-kind Strata Sustainability Strategy for WA, built around four themes: People and Community, Energy, Leadership, and Environment. On track for release by end of 2026, the strategy signals a serious long-term commitment to embedding sustainability across the sector.

The committee has also submitted detailed responses to Energy Policy WA on the Alternative Electricity Services Regulations Exposure Draft and the Code of Practice for on-site power supply obligations. SCA (WA)’s position is clear: new regulatory frameworks must recognise strata companies as distinct from energy companies, ensure the two incoming regimes are coherent, and support rather than deter investment in shared renewable energy infrastructure. These positions have direct implications for solar and battery projects across WA strata schemes.

President Kyra Murphy, Legislative, Advocacy and Policy Convenor Jason O’Meara, met with senior executives from Consumer Protection WA to explore how critical strata information can better reach tenants and residents, while also discussing broader questions of sector regulation and government structure.

Kyra also met with representatives from the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore to compare legislative frameworks, identify shared challenges, and explore collaboration opportunities. It’s a useful reminder that good strata policy is rarely developed in isolation.

SCA (WA) has continued working closely with Landgate in support of the second phase of the five-year legislative review, contributing data and insights to keep the process grounded in practice. The Landgate Strata Manager Annual Returns closed in April 2026 with 121 returns received, a meaningful dataset informing policy development and future reform.

ACT: Shaping the Future of Strata Reform

SCA (ACT) responded to both the ACT Legislative Assembly Inquiry into the Management of Strata Properties and proposed amendments to the Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011 to support the ACT Government’s housing density objectives by ensuring strata communities remain well governed, financially sustainable and attractive places to live.

Focused on reforms that improve consumer outcomes while remaining practical and workable for owners corporations, volunteers and strata managers; key recommendations have included stronger record-keeping requirements supported by better developer handover obligations, clearer access to-records provisions, practical reforms to proxy voting and quorum requirements, and improved processes when management contracts are terminated.

SCA (ACT) advocated for a balanced framework that allows genuine service delivery concerns to be addressed while preserving contractual certainty and continuity of management services.

In parallel, SCA (ACT) joined a broad coalition of industry and consumer stakeholders to advocate for the establishment of a properly funded and empowered Strata Commissioner. The proposal emphasises the need for education, dispute resolution, compliance and enforcement powers, sector standards and improved building records management.

SA/NT: Driving Practical Legislative Improvements

SCA (SA/NT) continues to advocate for practical reforms that strengthen governance, improve financial sustainability and modernise strata and community title legislation. Detailed recommendations were provided on proposed legislative amendments affecting the Strata Titles Act 1988, Community Titles Act 1996 and associated regulations.

A major focus has been ensuring that strata corporations are better prepared for long-term maintenance with more robust financial planning and advocated for mandatory insurance valuations every three to five years to ensure owners corporations maintain adequate replacement value insurance and meet their statutory obligations.

Other recommendations have included introducing default financial penalties for by-law breaches, improving meeting procedures, refining disclosure requirements around gifts and benefits, and ensuring legislation remains practical and proportionate.

More recently, SCA (SA/NT) provided feedback to the South Australian Government on proposed amendments to the Community Titles Regulations, supporting greater consistency between the Community Titles and Strata Titles frameworks.

TAS: Supporting Tenancy Reform and Strata Education

SCA (Tas) recently responded to the Tasmanian Government’s review of the Residential Tenancy Act. It’s submission highlighting the unique challenges that arise when tenancy legislation intersects with strata title living.

SCA (Tas) recommended the development of a dedicated tenant guide for strata living, providing practical information about how strata schemes operate, the role of strata managers, by-laws, repairs and maintenance responsibilities, meetings and financial obligations.

The submission highlighted the importance of clearly defining responsibilities between tenants, property owners, property managers, body corporates and strata managers. Specific recommendations addressed minor modifications within strata properties, ensuring that changes affecting common property cannot occur without appropriate approvals, and improving clarity around maintenance obligations where responsibilities overlap between tenancy and strata legislation.

NZ: Improving Governance and Professional Standards

SCA (NZ) has recently provided a comprehensive package of suggested amendments to New Zealand’s Unit Titles Act 2010, aimed at strengthening governance, improving consumer protection and supporting the continued growth of higher-density living.

SCA (NZ) identified several areas where targeted legislative reform could improve the practical operation of unit title developments. Key recommendations include reducing ambiguity within the legislation, strengthening governance and accountability mechanisms, improving voting integrity, and introducing clearer pathways to address misconduct by committee members.

SCA (NZ) has also advocated for the continued professionalisation of the body corporate management sector, including licensing requirements for principals of management businesses and individuals providing management services independently.

Financial sustainability remains a significant focus, with recommendations to strengthen long-term maintenance planning and funding arrangements to reduce future financial pressure on owners.

The chapter called for enhanced disclosure obligations to support purchasers in making informed decisions, together with improved education requirements for real estate professionals involved in the sale of unit title properties.

Collectively, these recommendations seek to create a clearer, more consistent and consumer-focused framework that supports confidence in apartment and unit title living as New Zealand continues to experience increasing urban intensification.

The advocacy work summarised here represents just a portion of the ongoing effort required to represent the strata sector effectively. If you have issues or insights you’d like SCA to consider in its advocacy work, reach out to the team.