Transforming the Strata Profession Reputation

CEO’s Message

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” — Benjamin Franklin

The proportion of people in strata living in Australia is at historically high levels and growing. This growth of strata schemes has increased almost exponentially so that approximately one in six Australians live in strata complexes, so have the new challenges facing strata managers.

The strata complexes constructed in 2020 have much higher levels of management requirement than strata complexes built 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Lifts, basements, air conditioning and heating systems, complex fire safety systems, gyms, pools, saunas, and rooftop gardens each come with their own rules, regulations, maintenance schedules and specialised maintenance and repair requirements.

Even older or smaller complexes are much more complex to manage, as new legislation covering accessibility, energy efficiency, insurance, pool and sauna usage and waste management, among others, add to the complexity of managing a strata scheme.

Strata managers are at the coal face of some of the biggest issues affecting strata residents and owners in Australia. Issues include high-profile building defects such as flammable cladding, insurance issues for extreme events such as fire, cyclones and flooding and managing progressive living measures such as greater accessibility, energy efficiency and sustainability.

There are many responsibilities of a Strata Community Manager (in general). • Compile financial information and data, prepare statutory requirement reports and provide financial business recommendations • Gather and analyse relevant budget information, identify, and document projected income and expenditure, oversee budget preparation and present budget to committee and owners • Identify and review plans and drawings, locate and identify key features on a site plan and extract data from plans, drawings, and specifications • Identify and comply with legal principles and legislative requirements affecting strata schemes • Prepare maintenance plan and coordinate maintenance of properties and facilities

• Facilitate and chair meetings including preparation and distribution of notices, agendas, and minutes 

• Establish legislative and governance requirements of owners committee, facilitate establishment of owners committee and support owners committee to manage strata communities 

• Manage conflicts and disputes and negotiate resolution 

• Establish legislative requirements for insurance, arrange valuation of asset for insurance purposes, place and review insurance arrangements 

• Handle strata community funds held on trust 

• Contribute to sustainable solutions throughout a building life cycle 

• Prepare and present cases before a tribunal 

• Identify and analyse risks and opportunities in the property industry 

• Implement and monitor procurement process 

• Determine construction contract requirements 

• Monitor construction contracts, check and record completed works according to contract conditions

During 2021, SCA will be uplifting the industry reputation by ensuring all members abide the code of conduct, have access to professional training and maintain ongoing Continued Professional Development (CPD) to be an SCA accredited member.

We want to be a: 

• Respected, understood profession

• Considered career choice 

• Recognised specialist profession in the property industry

Across Australia and New Zealand, most governments have no, or very low minimum requirement for education and CPD, therefore it is our role to selfregulate our sector to transform the strata profession reputation.

With our Strata Management Practice Standard Certification for Strata Management Firms and our Accreditation for Individual Strata Managers and Strata Suppliers, we aim to be pro-active in raising the education and standards.

SCA Members will have the opportunity to join our certification and accreditation program to show their dedication to their role in strata and their support to the consumer. We will acknowledge our members with levels to align with their education and their time worked solely to servicing strata owners.

We have subject matter experts in their field, and we want to highlight their knowledge for those looking for a supplier. If you are looking for an SCA Member, please visit our Strata Service directory: directory.strata.community

Validation for the Certificate IV in Strata Community Management Qualification CPP40521

Back in October 2020, SCA submitted a Case for Change which focused on the relevance and demand for qualifications in strata community management. The Case review considered: • regulatory changes (both to licensing for strata managers and related legislative change for the built environment); as well as • growing demand for skilled strata managers to meet the needs of increasing urban density and residential property development resulting in burgeoning numbers of strata schemes requiring management.

An expert subject matter working group, comprising strata industry representatives from all states and territories, has held several meetings to review the technical content of the proposed Cert IV in SCM and units of competency.

The working group looked closely at the functions, skills and knowledge covered by the qualification to update and improve occupational outcomes for industry. This work resulted in changes to the packaging arrangements to better align the qualification with contemporary practices and emerging skills needs in strata community management.

Units of competency identified as fundamental to the occupation have been significantly updated and modified to ensure they reflect specific strata community management requirements.

Further information is available on the Artibus Innovation website. artibus.com.au/stratacommunity-management

The scope of the project included deletion of the CPP50316 Diploma of Strata Community Management. SCA members have requested to retain this qualification so we will be looking at all options in a new Case for Change.