NSW strata committee training: who must do it, by when, and what happens if you don’t
- Applies to members appointed to a NSW strata committee on or after 1 October 2026, whether new or returning.
- Deadline: within 3 months of appointment. Appointed 1 October 2026 means trained by 1 January 2027.
- Where: free, self-paced, about one hour, on Strata Hub.
- Miss it and you automatically cease to be a committee member. Fair Trading will not chase you; the scheme must monitor compliance.
- Exempt: two-lot schemes, NSW strata managing agents, Australian College of Strata Lawyers members, and casual vacancies of less than 3 months.
What is the new strata committee training requirement?
Section 37 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), as replaced by the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW), says each strata committee member "must complete the training prescribed by the regulations", and that a member who fails to do so "ceases to be a member of the strata committee" (Act No 14 of 2025, Sch 1[8], s 37(2)–(3)). The requirement started on 1 October 2026.
The prescribed course for committee members appointed between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027 is Introduction to Strata Committee Rights and Responsibilities. NSW Fair Trading says it is free, self-paced, takes about one hour and is available on Strata Hub (NSW Government – Strata committee training).
Who has to complete the training?
According to NSW Fair Trading, you must complete it if you are appointed on or after 1 October 2026 and you are:
- new to a strata committee,
- a returning committee member, or
- appointed to fill a vacancy for more than 3 months.
If you sit on several committees, you only need to do it once. Members appointed before 1 October 2026 do not need to do it until they are next appointed, although they can do it earlier. Once you have completed the introductory course, you will not need to repeat that same course in later years; Fair Trading says it will publish details of additional training in 2027 (NSW Government).
What is the deadline?
| Appointment date | Training must be done by |
|---|---|
| 1 October 2026 | 1 January 2027 |
| 1 June 2027 | 1 September 2027 |
| Before 1 October 2026 | Not required until next appointed |
These examples come directly from NSW Fair Trading. The rule is 3 months from the date of appointment, which for most committees is the date of the AGM that elected them.
Who is exempt?
The training requirement does not apply to committee members:
- in two-lot strata schemes,
- who are members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers,
- who are NSW strata managing agents, or
- filling a casual vacancy for less than 3 months.
Exempt members should give evidence of their exemption to the committee secretary. The requirement applies only to strata committees in strata schemes, not to association committees in community land schemes (NSW Government).
What happens if a committee member doesn't do the training?
They automatically stop being a committee member when the 3 months run out. Fair Trading's template notice says this "is not a decision of the strata committee", happens automatically under the strata laws and "cannot be appealed". It also notes that NSW Fair Trading will not take action against the member; schemes are responsible for monitoring compliance.
When a committee learns a member has failed to train, Fair Trading says it should:
- stop that person taking part in future committee decisions,
- check whether a replacement is needed (committees must have at least one member, or at least three in schemes of more than 100 lots),
- appoint a replacement if needed and update the strata roll, and
- if the person was secretary or chairperson, appoint a new office-bearer and update Strata Hub records within 28 days.
What should the secretary do?
Fair Trading recommends these steps as good practice. They are not a legal requirement, and a member still ceases automatically even if no notice is sent.
- Add information about the training to AGM notices.
- Collect each member's Certificate of Completion and keep copies for at least 1 year.
- Send a reminder at least one month before each member's due date (Fair Trading publishes a template).
- Send a failure-to-complete notice if no certificate arrives by the due date, and keep copies of notices for at least 1 year.
- Tell the remaining members promptly if someone has ceased, and offer help to anyone who struggles to register on Strata Hub.
If your strata manager does these tasks, Fair Trading says they should explain the scope and fees first and get express approval, for example by a motion at the AGM.
How Watchdog Strata helps
Watchdog Strata does not deliver or track the government training; that happens on Strata Hub. Building managers and committees can use owners-only notices to remind owners about the training before the AGM, and the change history keeps a dated record of what was sent. See also our page for strata committees.
General information only, not legal advice. Check the current legislation or ask a strata lawyer for your scheme.
Questions people ask
Is strata committee training compulsory in NSW?
Yes, from 1 October 2026 for committee members appointed on or after that date, unless an exemption applies. It is required by section 37 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW).
How long does the NSW strata committee training take?
NSW Fair Trading says the online course takes about one hour, is free and is self-paced on Strata Hub.
What happens if I do not complete the training within 3 months?
You automatically cease to be a member of the strata committee. It is not a committee decision and cannot be appealed, but you can be appointed again after completing the training.
Do I have to do the training every year?
Each new appointment triggers the requirement, but once you have completed the introductory course you do not need to repeat that same course. NSW Fair Trading has said it will publish details of additional training in 2027.
Who is exempt from NSW strata committee training?
Members of two-lot schemes, NSW strata managing agents, members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers, and people filling a casual vacancy for less than 3 months.
Sources
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