WA Raises the Bar: New Education Standards Set to Transform Strata Management

WA Raises the Bar: New Education Standards Set to Transform Strata Management

New WA Strata Manager Qualifications: What the 2025 Education Reforms Mean for Strata Management

Western Australia is entering a new era of professionalisation in strata management. With the introduction of the Lands Regulations (Community and Strata Titles) Amendment Regulations 2025 (WA) (the Amended Regulations), the State Government has implemented comprehensive reforms to the qualification and experience requirements for those providing strata and community titles management services.

For strata managers, community scheme managers, councils of owners and the broader property industry, these changes mark the most significant regulatory shift since the 2019 reform package. They reshape who may perform strata management functions, the training they must hold, and how businesses must structure and supervise their personnel.

A new minimum qualification: Certificate IV in Strata Community Management

The reforms elevate education requirements by making the Certificate IV in Strata Community Management (CPP40521), or a recognised equivalent, the minimum standard for most key roles.

In effect:

• Principals of strata management businesses and strata community managers must now hold a full Certificate IV (or an equivalent qualification recognised under transitional provisions).
• Assistant strata community managers must complete a prescribed number of units from the Certificate IV within defined timeframes after taking up the role.

This shift creates a baseline level of competence for those making decisions involving scheme funds, maintenance, compliance and governance, areas that have historically been sources of dispute and legal exposure.

Clearer Statutory Role Definitions

The Amendment Regulations introduce statutory clarity to the hierarchy within strata management businesses:

• Principal: the individual responsible for ensuring that the management business properly performs its authorised functions.
• Strata community manager: a person who performs scheme management functions and may exercise a degree of independence.
• Assistant strata community manager: a supervised role assisting with authorised functions.

These definitions now align with distinct education and experience requirements. This reduces ambiguity around who is doing what, and provides councils of owners with a clearer basis for accountability.

Transitional Pathways and Compliance Timelines

The new requirements commenced on 30 October 2025, with staged pathways designed to allow existing practitioners time to upskill.

Key transition points include:

• individuals previously recognised as “qualified persons” can rely on transitional recognition or RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) to meet the new standard.
• education and experience obligations are being phased in over up to two years, with 1 November 2027 as the key compliance date for the Certificate IV requirement.
• assistants must complete specified units within two years of beginning in their role.

From a legal risk perspective, businesses should assume regulators will treat these dates as firm. Failure to comply could invalidate contractual warranties, expose the business to breach-of-contract claims or non-compliance findings.

Implications for Strata Management Businesses

Strata management businesses will need to undertake a systematic compliance review. In practice, this means:

• Auditing all current staff qualifications and experience against the new statutory categories.
• Identifying gaps where staff must complete the Certificate IV or additional units.
• Updating employment contracts to reflect new role definitions and qualification obligations.
• Revising supervision models, particularly where assistants provide services previously performed by more senior staff.
• Planning for workforce turnover, given that staff unable or unwilling to meet new requirements cannot lawfully continue in their roles after the transition period.

Early compliance will position businesses to demonstrate professionalism in a competitive and increasingly regulated environment.

Councils of Owners and Lot Owners

While councils and owners are not regulated by the Amendment Regulations, the reforms will directly affect the quality and oversight of the services they receive.

Practical steps for councils include:

• Asking the strata manager to outline their compliance plan, including staff qualifications and transition timelines.
• Clarifying who in the business is actually managing the scheme, principal, strata community manager or assistant.
• Reviewing existing management contracts with the new statutory warranties in mind.
• Considering qualification status when renewing appointments or inviting management proposals.

Owners can reasonably expect more consistent service delivery as the new standards take effect, but only if they actively engage with the compliance process.

Ongoing Monitoring

These reforms tighten the regulatory framework around strata management and reinforce the sector’s shift towards professionalism, competency and consumer protection. Bugden Allen will continue to monitor implementation, regulatory guidance and any further reforms that may emerge.

How Bugden Allen Can Help

Navigating these reforms will require careful planning, contract updates and a clear compliance strategy. Bugden Allen advises strata management businesses, councils of owners and developers across WA on governance, regulatory obligations, staff qualification requirements and risk management. Our team can review your current arrangements, prepare compliance roadmaps, update agreements and provide tailored training for your staff and council members. If you need practical, commercial guidance to prepare for the 2025–27 changes, we’re here to help.

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This article was first published on 15 November 2025. It was written by Julia Moroz, Special Counsel and Nicholas Cooley, Paralegal in our Perth office.

© Bugden Allen Group Legal Pty Ltd. This is general information only and not legal advice. You should not rely on this information without seeking legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.