NSW Strata Updates: 5 Key Changes

NSW Strata Updates: 5 Key Changes

There have been several important regulatory updates affecting strata communities and managing agents across New South Wales. From new disclosure enforcement measures and digital tools in Strata Hub, to fire safety obligations and upcoming changes to strata commissions, staying across these developments is essential. Here is a summary of what you need to know.

1. Disclosure Obligations for Strata Managing Agents: NSW Fair Trading’s Regulatory Intent

NSW Fair Trading has published a Statement of Regulatory Intent outlining its compliance and enforcement approach to certain disclosure obligations that strata managing agents owe to owners corporations. These obligations are designed to ensure owners corporations receive timely and transparent information about a managing agent’s supplier connections and training benefits.

Under the obligations, a strata managing agent may accept training services provided or paid for on their behalf — provided this is included in the agency agreement or otherwise approved by the owners corporation. The Statement clarifies NSW Fair Trading’s approach to enforcing compliance, including:

• The types of scenarios where NSW Fair Trading does not consider approval or disclosure to be required
• Its enforcement approach to other types of free or paid training provided to agents

Strata managing agents should familiarise themselves with the Statement and ensure all staff responsible for disclosure obligations are adequately trained and supervised.

Enforcement outcomes to date:

As part of its compliance efforts, NSW Fair Trading has conducted audits of more than 190 managing agents, resulting in:

• 36 penalty infringement notices issued
• 61 warning letters sent to managing agents

NSW Fair Trading has made clear it will take a zero tolerance approach where managing agents fail to meet their disclosure obligations.

Read more: Read the Statement of Regulatory Intent

2. New Digital Tools Launched in Strata Hub

Strata Hub has released new digital tools to help support strata communities, particularly those that are self-managed or looking to streamline key administrative processes.

Capital Works Fund Planner

From 1 April 2026, the use of the prescribed form for capital works fund plans will be mandatory. To assist with compliance, Strata Hub has released a new digital planner that allows strata schemes to build a 10-year capital works fund plan and automatically format it into the prescribed form. Key features include:

• Customisable schedules of items for repair, maintenance, or replacement
• Cost estimates with inbuilt calculations to account for inflation and contingencies
• Automatic formatting into the required prescribed form

This tool is particularly useful for self-managed schemes that may not have access to professional planning support.

Strata Manager Finder

Strata Hub has also launched an online directory designed to help strata committees find licensed strata managing agents in their area. The directory includes:

• Contact details and service information for listed managing agents
• Any compliance history associated with the agent

Strata managing agents can use the directory to showcase their services and generate new business by completing their business profile on the platform. Strata committees can also use the downloadable Strata Managing Agent Engagement Planner to compare agents and select the right fit for their scheme.

Read more: Explore what’s new on Strata Hub

3. New Fire Safety Requirements for Apartment Buildings

From February 2026, apartment buildings are required to have their fire safety systems regularly inspected and tested in accordance with the Australian Standard AS1851. This requirement applies to building owners and owners corporations — meaning all unit owners in a building bear responsibility for compliance.

Strata committees should ensure:

• A qualified fire safety practitioner is engaged to carry out inspections
• Inspections are conducted in accordance with the requirements of AS1851

Non-compliance with the national standard can result in fines being issued to building owners and owners corporations.

Read more: Understand the fire safety requirements

4. Have Your Say: NSW Strata Commissions Review

The NSW Productivity and Equality Commission is seeking feedback on its issues paper for the Strata Commissions Review. This is an independent review examining the market impacts of prohibiting strata managing agents from receiving commissions and other forms of conflicted remuneration.

The issues paper sets out the current landscape of strata commissions and conflicted payments in the NSW strata industry, along with potential policy options to address them. Feedback is invited from all participants in the strata sector, including:

• Owners and residents
• Strata managing agents
• Service providers operating in the strata industry

All submissions will be considered in the analysis of potential policy impacts. This is an important opportunity for strata stakeholders to help shape the future regulatory framework governing commissions in the industry.

For more information and to make a submission, visit nsw.gov.au.

5. Mandatory National Police Checks for Conveyancer Licence Applications

NSW Fair Trading is introducing mandatory National Police Checks (NPCs) for all conveyancer licence applications, as part of its commitment to strengthening trust and transparency in the property industry. The key changes include:

• Improved identification of criminal history: NPCs will allow for accurate and consistent identification of relevant criminal history across applicants
• Stronger consumer protection: The requirement is designed to prevent applicants with serious or undisclosed criminal histories — particularly those involving dishonesty or fraud — from obtaining a licence
• Secure processing platform: NPCs will be processed through a secure, authentic government platform integrated with NSW Police

These changes reflect a broader effort to ensure that consumers dealing with conveyancers can have confidence in the integrity and probity of licence holders.

For further information or to apply, visit the NSW Fair Trading website.

The regulatory environment for strata communities in NSW continues to evolve. If you have questions about how these updates affect your owners corporation, strata committee, or managing agency, our experienced strata lawyers are here to help.

© Bugden Allen Group Legal Pty Ltd. This is general information only and not legal advice. Our team may have used AI to research and draft parts of this article, however it has been reviewed by members of our team. You should not rely on this information without seeking legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.