Strata Living in NSW: What Changed in the 2025 Reforms?

If you live in, own, or manage a strata property in New South Wales, 2025 has brought some key updates you’ll want to know about.

The NSW Government has introduced a fresh round of reforms aimed at improving transparency, streamlining strata operations, and making life easier for residents and owners alike. These aren’t headline-grabbing changes — but they are meaningful, especially for strata committees and managing agents responsible for day-to-day governance.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s changed, and what it means for your building.

Stronger Transparency Around Strata Management Fees

One of the biggest wins for owners is the requirement for clearer fee disclosures by strata managers. If you’ve ever felt unsure about commissions or line items in your strata budget, the new reforms aim to fix that.

What’s new:

All strata managing agents must now provide a detailed breakdown of all commissions and third-party payments received.
Owners corporations must be notified annually of any commission earned from insurance or service providers.
These disclosures must be in writing and clearly distinguishable from regular management fees.

Why it matters:
It’s a major step forward in building trust. At Strata Revolution, we’ve always operated on a full disclosure, no commissions policy — so we welcome this reform wholeheartedly.

Simpler Meeting Procedures and Electronic Participation

The pandemic accelerated the need for remote participation — and now it’s officially embedded in legislation.

What’s new:

Owners corporations can now hold meetings entirely online, or in hybrid formats, by default (unless the strata scheme opts out).
Voting can now be conducted via secure electronic means across more meeting types.

Why it matters:
This change gives more flexibility to busy owners and improves attendance — a win for better community engagement and decision-making.

New Code of Conduct for Strata Committee Members

A first for NSW: strata committee members are now bound by a statutory Code of Conduct.

What’s new:

The Code outlines expected behaviour around transparency, conflict of interest, decision-making, and respectful communication.
Breaches can result in committee members being removed or barred from future election.

Why it matters:
It encourages more equitable, respectful committees and helps protect owners from poor governance — something many communities have long asked for.

Sustainability Upgrades Just Got Easier

Making your building greener is no longer a bureaucratic headache.

What’s new:

The reforms lower the voting threshold for sustainable upgrades (like solar panels or EV charging) from a special resolution to a simple majority.

Why it matters:
Buildings can now adopt greener solutions faster and more affordably — great news for forward-thinking communities.

These reforms reflect the reality that strata living in NSW is growing — and evolving. At Strata Revolution, we support anything that builds trust, empowers communities, and makes strata easier to navigate.

If you’re unsure how the 2025 changes affect your property, we’re here to guide you through the detail — without the jargon, without the commissions, and always with your community’s best interest at heart.

Need help navigating the reforms?
Let’s talk — we’ll help you stay compliant, confident, and in control.

By Martin Rolon, Principal – Strata Revolution