SCA Advocacy in Action – Elevating Strata Across Australasia

Advocacy remains central to Strata Community Association’s mission to support well governed, sustainable and resilient strata communities. SCA in all states, territories, and regions across Australia and New Zealand continues to work constructively with governments, regulators and policymakers to ensure strata is understood not as a niche housing model, but as a critical pillar of the modern housing system.

With increasing density across cities and regions, the regulatory and policy environment shaping strata has never been more important. SCA’s advocacy is grounded in evidence, member experience and a commitment to practical outcomes.

SCA (NSW): Building momentum for reform

As the new year begins, SCA (NSW) is continuing to build public and political understanding of the strata sector’s critical role, value and importance.

Following the announcement of a phased replacement of insurance commissions with a transparent fee for service model, and the success of the Strata Community NSW Parliamentary Reception, advocacy activity is intensifying. Debate has recommenced on the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill, while the sector awaits the final report of the NSW Productivity and Equality Commission’s review into strata commissions and its recommendations to the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading.

These developments signal a significant year ahead for policy reform in New South Wales, with SCA (NSW) maintaining a strong focus on evidence based advocacy and constructive engagement with government.

SCA (ACT): Policy leadership through consultation and reform

SCA (ACT) has played a central role in shaping policy reform. Advocacy has focused on supporting strata communities through the transition to building electrification and strengthening informed decision-making by owners corporations. SCA has engaged with government through the Request for Expressions of Interest for apartment electrification to ensure the practical realities of strata governance, funding and staged upgrades are understood and reflected in policy design.

In parallel, SCA is preparing targeted education resources for owners corporations, with a strong emphasis on due diligence, helping committees understand risks, costs, technical considerations and long-term impacts before committing to major infrastructure changes.

SCA (Qld): Advocacy grounded in practical leadership

Over the past three months our advocacy work has centred on clear priorities, evidence-based positions, and a commitment to elevating the voice of the Queensland strata sector. It has been a period marked by major legislative reform, system wide reviews, and important engagement with government. Throughout this work our focus has remained steady: ensuring that strata communities and the professionals who support them are heard, understood, and represented with credibility.

The introduction of Queensland’s new Seller Disclosure regime has been a significant area of activity. We have taken a practical leadership role by providing early guidance to government, raising risks around the timing, transitional arrangements, and the readiness of bodies corporate. Our Seller Disclosure Advocacy Kit has helped managers prepare owners, streamline communication, and approach these changes with confidence. We have made it clear that a consistent and transparent disclosure regime is vital, but also that the system must be workable for those who administer it daily. Our advocacy has seen the Property Law Working Group convened 6 months ahead of schedule, and our submission to the group on the challenges we are facing was submitted on 1 November 2025.

At the national level, our involvement in the Australian Cyclone Reinsurance Pool hearings was a strong moment for Queensland. Alongside Board Member Cameron Griffiths, we presented member experiences from the North, highlighted gaps in coverage and pricing, and called for improved transparency on insurer participation. Our written submission reinforced these messages, emphasising the real-world impact of insurance affordability on community resilience, housing supply, and strata viability. This work has strengthened our reputation as a trusted and practical contributor on issues that matter to governments and communities.

Our recent Leaders lunch with the Attorney General provided a valued opportunity to bring policy makers into the room with our members. It allowed us to share priorities directly, including the need for a modern regulatory framework for body corporate managers, improved pathways for dispute resolution, and stronger support for a sector that already carries extensive legislative responsibility. The conversation reinforced that government is listening and that our relationship is constructive and solutions focused.

Most recently, our submission on Low Medium Residential (LMR) zoning in Brisbane has added a strata voice to a critical planning debate. Most people don’t know Brisbane City Council is Australia’s largest council and the challenges are real. As Queensland grapples with population growth and housing demand, we have stressed that LMR outcomes must deliver well governed, well built, and well supported communities. Strata is central to the future shape of our cities, and planning policy must reflect that reality.

We have also continued our work with Brisbane City Council on short-term letting policy and regulation, and our members contributed to Airbnb’s guide for those who use the platform in strata buildings.

Together these pieces reflect a clear pattern. Our advocacy is strategic, member centric, and grounded in the practical experience of the people who keep Queensland’s communities moving.

SCA (Vic): Driving reform and professional standards

SCA (Vic) continues to advocate strongly on behalf of members to improve the regulatory framework that governs strata management in Victoria. Over the past six months, we have made detailed submissions to government on two major reform areas: the Statutory Review of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 and the proposed Education and Training requirements for property industry professionals¹. These submissions are based on extensive member feedback and reflect the real challenges faced by strata managers, committees, and owners corporations across the state.

Our submission to the Owners Corporations Act Review focuses on making the legislation clearer, fairer, and more workable in practice. Members consistently told us that the current Act is complex, unclear in parts, and often difficult to enforce. We raised concerns about dispute resolution through VCAT, debt recovery, committee conduct, financial hardship processes, insurance management, building defects, and the growing level of abuse directed at managers. A strong theme throughout the submission is the need to protect compliant owners from unfair costs while giving owners corporations and managers better tools to enforce obligations and maintain buildings safely and sustainably.

The Expert Panel appointed to review the Owners Corporations Act delivered its recommendations to the Minister in early December. At the time of writing, this report has not yet been released publicly. SCA (Vic) is awaiting advice from government on next steps, whether that be the release of the Expert Panel’s report itself or the announcement of proposed legislative changes arising from those recommendations. We will keep members informed as soon as further information becomes available.

Education and professionalism is another key pillar of our advocacy. In December, SCA (Vic) lodged a submission responding to proposed Education and Fees Regulations for property industry professionals. While we support the government’s intent to lift standards, we made it clear that the current framework does not go far enough. The legislation only allows mandatory education to apply to the Officer in Effective Control, not to the many practising strata managers who carry out day-to-day management work. SCA (Vic) is strongly advocating for further legislative amendment so that minimum training and ongoing education apply to all individuals performing strata management duties, not just business owners or directors.

SCA (Vic) is now preparing another submission in response to the Victorian Government’s consultation on Buyer Protections Regulations, in particular focusing on the powers of the recently established Building and Plumbing Commission. To ensure our submission accurately reflects the views of our members, we have issued a member survey that mirrors the consultation questions. By using the same questions, we can present a clear, evidencebased consensus response on behalf of members. Survey responses will directly inform our submission, which will be lodged at the end of January.

This will be a particularly busy year for advocacy. With the Victorian state election scheduled for 28 November, SCA (Vic) will continue to actively engage with government, opposition, and key stakeholders to ensure the importance of strata reform, professional standards, and consumer protections remains firmly on the agenda.

SCA (WA): Transparency, compliance and education

SCA (WA) continues to play a leading role in advocating for a stronger, more transparent strata sector in Western Australia. We remain closely engaged with Landgate and the Western Australian Government on key regulatory and reform initiatives that support improved outcomes for strata managers, owners and communities.

The Landgate Strata Manager Annual Returns are currently open. All strata managers are required to complete their annual return by the prescribed deadline to comply with the Strata Titles Act 1985. Completion of the return is also required to demonstrate compliance when renewing SCA (WA) membership.

Beyond being a legal obligation, the annual return process plays an important role in building a clearer picture of the strata sector in Western Australia. The data collected helps inform policy development, supports future reform and contributes to a better understanding of the scale and complexity of strata management across the state. Landgate now publicly lists strata managers who have completed their annual returns on its website, further reinforcing transparency and accountability.

SCA (WA) is also progressing work on an updated Strata Management Agreement Template. The revised template is being developed to better reflect current legislative requirements and to embed best practice standards. Once finalised, it will be made available to all members, providing a clearer, more practical and legally robust document for use by strata managers and strata companies.

In parallel, SCA (WA) continues to focus on raising awareness among strata owners and the wider community about the value of engaging professional, accredited strata managers. Expanding education initiatives for owners remains a key priority, supporting informed decision-making and stronger, more sustainable strata communities.

SCA (SA/NT): Targeted advocacy

SCA (SA/NT) has maintained a strong focus on legislative reform and practical outcomes for strata and community titled properties. SCA contributed to the Unclaimed Goods (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2025 and acknowledge the Attorney-General’s Department for the substantial alignment between the final legislation and SCA (SA/ NT)’s recommendations, delivering a more modern and proportionate framework.

Advocacy has also addressed recurring conveyancing and settlement issues affecting strata schemes, highlighting the need for clearer, more consistent processes. In parallel, SCA (SA/NT) continues to engage with government on planning and housing reforms to ensure apartment living is supported by contemporary, fit-for-purpose legislation.

SCA (NZ): Strengthening advocacy through partnership

A strong, professional strata and body corporate sector depends on constructive relationships with government, regulators, and policymakers. Advocacy is most effective when it is grounded in real-world experience, informed by those working at the coalface, and supported by open dialogue.

At the recent SCA (NZ) Conference, we were pleased to welcome representatives from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), along with Minister Chris Penk, who took the time to attend, listen, and engage directly with our sector.

The presence of MBIE and Minister Penk at the conference provided a valuable opportunity to share practical insights into the realities of body corporate governance and management across New Zealand. These conversations went beyond theory and legislation, focusing instead on how laws, regulations, and policy settings operate in practice for managers, committees, and owners.

Key themes raised included:

• The increasing complexity of body corporate governance.
• The expectations placed on volunteer committee members.
• The growing compliance and risk environment for managers.
• The importance of education, guidance, and consistency across the sector.

We are encouraged by MBIE’s willingness, alongside Minister Penk, to engage with the sector and to hear directly from those with lived experience managing and governing unit title developments.

SCA (NZ) remains committed to representing the interests of strata and body corporate professionals, while also recognising the perspectives of owners, committees, and other stakeholders. In 2026, we are looking forward to working more closely with MBIE and Minister Penk on:

• Practical improvements to the Unit Titles legislative and regulatory framework.
• Education-first approaches to compliance and governance.
• Supporting clearer guidance for committees and owners.
• Strengthening professional standards and capability across the sector.

We thank MBIE and Minister Penk for their engagement to date and look forward to building an even stronger working relationship in the year ahead, grounded in mutual respect, shared objectives, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for the sector.

1. SCA-Vic-Submission-Education-and-fees-regulations-for-property-industry-professionals-Dec-2025.pdf ↩︎