From 1 October 2026, new and returning strata committee members in NSW will need to complete mandatory training.
The good news is that the first course is free, online, self-paced and expected to take about one hour. You’ll have three months from the date of your appointment to complete it.
The important part is the deadline. If you don’t complete the training within the required timeframe, you’ll automatically stop being a committee member.
That may sound serious, but the process is straightforward when you know what to expect. Here’s what you need to know.
What is changing on 1 October 2026?
From 1 October 2026, NSW strata committee members must complete prescribed training each year.
For members appointed between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027, the required introductory course is called:
Introduction to Strata Committee Rights and Responsibilities
The course is provided by NSW Fair Trading and will be available through Strata Hub.
It has been introduced to help committee members better understand:
- Their legal duties
- How a strata committee works
- Financial and budget responsibilities
- Repairs and maintenance
- Risk management
- Decision-making
- Dispute resolution
- The broader governance role of the committee
You don’t need to be a strata expert before starting. The course is designed to give you a practical foundation so you can participate with more confidence.
Who needs to complete the training?
The requirement applies to most committee members who are:
- Newly appointed to a strata committee
- Returning members appointed again after 1 October 2026
- Appointed to fill a vacancy lasting more than three months
So, if you’ve served on your committee before, you may still need to complete the course when you’re re-appointed.
It isn’t only for first-time committee members. Returning members will also need to meet the requirement.
What about members appointed before 1 October 2026?
If you were appointed before 1 October 2026, you don’t need to complete the training immediately.
You’ll need to complete it when you are next appointed to the committee. You can also choose to complete the training earlier if you’d like to refresh your knowledge.
That may be worthwhile if your committee is dealing with major repairs, financial decisions, by-law questions or ongoing disputes. A little extra clarity can go a long way.
How long do you have to complete the course?
You have three months from the date of your appointment to complete the required training.
For example:
- Appointed on 1 October 2026: complete the training by 1 January 2027
- Appointed on 1 June 2027: complete the training by 1 September 2027
Your appointment date matters. Don’t wait for a general reminder if you already know when you were appointed.
A simple approach is to put the deadline in your calendar as soon as the AGM or general meeting confirms your appointment.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you don’t complete the training within three months, you will automatically cease to be a committee member.
This happens even if the committee secretary hasn’t yet sent you a formal notice. A notice may be provided to explain what has happened, but the loss of your position occurs because the training was not completed on time.
The committee should then:
- Prevent the former member from participating in future committee decisions
- Update its records
- Consider whether a replacement committee member is needed
- Make sure future decisions are made only by current committee members
The rules are designed to support properly informed committee decision-making. They aren’t intended to make committee life harder, but deadlines do need to be taken seriously.
How do you access the training?
The course will be accessed through Strata Hub, the NSW Government’s online platform for strata information and reporting.
The official NSW Fair Trading strata committee training page will provide access instructions when the course launches on 1 October 2026.
Before the launch date, it’s sensible to:
- Check that your contact details on Strata Hub are correct
- Make sure you can access your Strata Hub account
- Watch for updates from NSW Fair Trading
- Ask your strata manager or committee secretary if you’re unsure about the process
The training is self-paced, so you should be able to complete it at a convenient time rather than attending a live session.
Once you finish, NSW Fair Trading will issue a Certificate of Completion. Keep a copy for your own records and provide one to your committee secretary.
What should the committee secretary do?
The committee secretary has an important role in helping members understand and meet the requirement.
NSW Fair Trading recommends that secretaries:
- Record each member’s appointment date
- Calculate the three-month training deadline
- Send members a reminder no later than two months after their appointment
- Ask each member for a copy of their Certificate of Completion
- Keep certificates and reminder records for at least one year
- Notify the committee if a member does not provide evidence of completion
- Ensure a member who has automatically ceased to hold office does not take part in future decisions
This doesn’t mean the secretary has to chase people every week. A clear reminder, a shared deadline and good record-keeping should keep things manageable.
Are there any exemptions?
The training requirement does not apply to certain people and schemes, including:
- Committee members in a two-lot strata scheme
- Strata managing agents
- Members of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers
- People filling a casual vacancy for less than three months
If you believe you’re exempt, provide evidence to the committee secretary and keep a copy for yourself.
The training requirement applies to strata committees. It does not apply in the same way to association committees in community land schemes.
When in doubt, ask first. It’s much easier to clarify your position before a deadline passes.
Why is this training useful?
Committee members make decisions that affect homes, finances, building safety and the day-to-day experience of residents.
You may be asked to consider:
- Whether a repair is urgent
- How a maintenance project should be funded
- Whether a special levy is needed
- Which contractor should be engaged
- How a by-law issue should be handled
- What information owners should receive
- Whether a proposal is fair and properly authorised
The training won’t turn you into a building inspector, lawyer or accountant. It also won’t solve every committee disagreement : if only one-hour courses could do that.
What it can do is give you a better understanding of your responsibilities and help you ask better questions before decisions are made.
That supports clearer communication and more informed outcomes for everyone in the scheme.
How The 1888 Co. can support your committee
At The 1888 Co., we know committee members are often volunteers managing complex responsibilities alongside work, family and everyday life.
You shouldn’t have to guess what happens next.
Our role is to help keep your scheme organised, informed and moving forward. We can assist with:
- Meeting preparation and administration
- Clear agendas and minutes
- Maintaining important records
- Explaining strata responsibilities in plain language
- Coordinating repairs and maintenance
- Tracking compliance requirements
- Supporting financial reporting and levy administration
- Helping your committee understand upcoming deadlines
- Keeping owners informed before decisions are made
We can’t complete the Fair Trading course on your behalf, and each committee member remains responsible for meeting their own training obligation.
What we can do is help your committee identify who needs to complete the course, record the relevant deadlines and keep the process visible.
Our approach is hands-on, practical and personal. We keep things clear, communicate promptly and treat your property as if it were our own.
You can learn more about our strata management services or contact The 1888 Co. to discuss support for your scheme.
Quick checklist for committee members
Before 1 October 2026:
- Check whether you are currently appointed or likely to be re-appointed
- Confirm your Strata Hub contact details
- Watch the official NSW Fair Trading page for launch instructions
- Save a reminder to complete the course within three months of appointment
After you’re appointed:
- Access the course through Strata Hub
- Complete the approximately one-hour course
- Download or save your Certificate of Completion
- Send a copy to the committee secretary
- Keep your own copy
- Ask questions if you’re unsure about your responsibilities
A small amount of preparation now can prevent confusion later.
Frequently asked questions
Is the training compulsory?
Yes, for most new and returning strata committee members appointed from 1 October 2026. Some exemptions apply.
Does the course cost anything?
No. The NSW Fair Trading introductory course is free.
Do I need to attend in person?
No. The course is online and self-paced through Strata Hub.
How long does it take?
The introductory course is expected to take about one hour.
What if I was already on the committee before 1 October 2026?
You don’t need to complete the training immediately. You’ll need to complete it when you are next appointed, although you can complete it earlier voluntarily.
Can someone else complete the course for me?
No. Each committee member must complete the required training themselves and provide evidence of completion.
What if I miss the deadline?
You automatically cease to be a committee member. Speak with your committee secretary or strata manager promptly so the committee can update its records and consider whether a replacement is needed.
A final word for committee members
The new training requirement is another responsibility, but it’s a manageable one.
Set a reminder. Complete the course. Keep your certificate. Ask for help when you need it.
With clear communication and a little planning, your committee can meet the new requirements without unnecessary stress.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Strata laws, requirements and government guidance may change. For the most current information, refer to the NSW Fair Trading strata committee training page or seek independent legal advice about your circumstances.
