Strata education
What is strata? A guide for new owners and committees
21 Jun 26
3 min read
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Working with your strata
Strata committees help owners make day-to-day decisions for their building or community. Here is what owners, residents and committee members should know.
A strata committee is an elected group of eligible members or representatives who assist with the day-to-day running of a shared property scheme.
The name, membership rules and decision-making powers vary by state or territory, but the purpose is similar: the committee helps manage everyday matters between general meetings and works within the authority given to it.
Committee members are often owners within the building or community. They are also neighbours, residents and volunteers who give their time to keep the scheme organised.
Committee terminology varies by state and territory.
The terminology changes, but the purpose is similar: committee members assist with day-to-day decisions, communication and scheme administration.
For the legislation that applies in each state, read our Strata Legislation guide.
A strata committee acts as a point of coordination between owners, residents, contractors and the appointed strata manager, helping routine scheme matters move through the right process.
A strata committee may assist with:
Many shared property decisions affect more than one lot. Committee involvement helps bring structure, records and fair consideration to routine scheme management.
When a committee works well, owners and residents have a clearer pathway for raising issues, reviewing next steps and understanding how decisions are made.
A strata committee can usually make routine decisions for the scheme, provided those decisions sit within its authority.
Before deciding a matter, the committee should check:
This check is useful for everyday matters such as routine maintenance, contractor quotes, by-law or rule requests, meeting administration and resident communication. The correct process will depend on the state, the scheme and the authority given to the committee.
Some matters need broader owner approval and cannot be decided by the committee alone.
This usually applies where the matter sits outside the committee’s authority, exceeds an approved spending limit or requires a formal decision at a general meeting under the legislation that applies to the scheme.
Matters that may need owner approval include:
If a committee makes a decision it does not have authority to make, the matter may need to be reconsidered through the correct process.
Eligibility depends on the state or territory, the scheme and the legislation that applies.
Committee members are commonly owners or eligible representatives elected at the annual general meeting. In some jurisdictions, owners may also be able to nominate another eligible person.
Eligibility may also be affected by tenant representation rules, conflicts of interest, unpaid levies, developer connections or certain roles connected to the building or scheme.
Before nominating, owners and residents should check the requirements that apply to their scheme and confirm whether any restrictions apply.
Committee roles help organise meetings, records and financial administration.
The exact requirements vary by state, but many schemes include office-bearer roles such as chairperson, secretary and treasurer.
The chairperson usually helps run committee meetings.
This may include opening meetings, checking quorum, guiding the meeting through the agenda, keeping discussion orderly and declaring voting outcomes where required.
The secretary usually handles meeting administration and records.
This may include preparing notices and agendas, issuing meeting documents, recording minutes, managing nominations, handling proxy forms where applicable and keeping scheme records updated.
The treasurer usually supports financial administration for the scheme.
This may include contribution notices, financial records, reconciliations, budgets and reporting. In many managed schemes, some of these tasks may be delegated to the strata manager or body corporate manager, depending on the appointment and state requirements.
These roles are important, but committee members are still volunteers. A well-run scheme relies on clear process, accurate records and cooperation between the committee, owners and the appointed manager.
For related information about levies and contributions, read our Strata Levies guide.
An effective strata committee does not need to agree on every issue. It needs a structured way to make decisions, communicate with owners and keep the scheme moving.
The contribution of a well-organised committee often happens quietly in the background, but it can make a real difference to how well a building or community operates.
A strata manager does not replace the owners corporation, body corporate or committee as the decision-making body.
Their role is to provide the administrative, financial and coordination framework the committee needs to manage scheme matters more effectively.
Depending on the management agreement and the state, a strata manager may assist with:
At Bright & Duggan, our strata managers work alongside committees, owners and residents to keep scheme processes organised, communication clear and day-to-day administration easier to manage.
See how our strata management team works with communities.
Bright and Duggan thanks all committee members for their ongoing contribution and dedication. If you would like to learn more or are considering nominating yourself at an upcoming annual general meeting, contact your strata manager for guidance.
General Advice Disclaimer
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal, property, tenancy or compliance advice. Requirements can vary depending on the building, scheme, by-laws, state or territory, managing agent and individual circumstances. Owners, tenants and residents should seek advice where required.
