The strata industry in Australia is undergoing a seismic shift. Legislative reform is gaining momentum, PropTech is reshaping how buildings are managed, and owners are demanding greater transparency and accountability. For strata owners and committees, 2025 isn’t just another year, it’s a turning point.
At Bettr Strata, we’re not just watching these changes unfold. We’re leading the charge. Here’s what you need to know, and how we’re helping you stay ahead.
Strata Reform Is Coming, And It’s a Good Thing
From 1 July 2025, the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act will introduce sweeping changes that redefine how strata schemes operate. These reforms are designed to empower owners, improve governance, and embed sustainability into the DNA of every building.
Key Changes Include:
- Prohibiting by-laws that block sustainability upgrades based on appearance alone
- Requiring sustainability to be considered at every AGM and in capital works planning
- Lowering voting thresholds for accessibility upgrades
- Banning unfair contract terms in service agreements
- Requiring strata managers to report every six months instead of annually
At Bettr Strata, we’ve already aligned our practices with these reforms. Our contracts are transparent, our reporting is proactive, and our governance support ensures committees act with integrity and fairness, well ahead of the legal curve with more changes coming later this year.
Do you know?
At Bettr Strata, we don’t charge the owners corporation for the first reminder letter when a Lot owner misses a levy. Yes, we’ll send the letter, but more importantly, we’ll follow up personally and work with the owner to understand what’s going on. We don’t view levy recovery as a revenue stream. Instead, we see it as an opportunity to support and educate. Whether it’s a one-off oversight or a sign of financial stress, our approach is grounded in empathy, not enforcement. I’d hope some of my colleagues overseeing larger corporate strata agencies look to take the same approach, and before any enforced changes.
PropTech Is Changing the Game, But Not Everyone Gets It
Technology is revolutionising strata management, but not all providers understand the real needs of owners and committees. Many platforms focus on flashy dashboards and integrations, yet overlook usability and relevance.
At Bettr Strata, we prioritise:
- Maintenance platforms that reduce admin and improve response times
- Communication tools that keep residents informed without overwhelming them
- Data systems that support budgeting, compliance, and decision-making
We’ve seen how some well-known platforms miss the mark. Our tech stack is built around clarity, simplicity, and service, not complexity for complexity’s sake.
In fact, multiple prospective clients have expressed relief when we confirm we don’t use a particular well-known platform. That platform alone has become a catalyst for committees to ask, “Is it time to explore our options?”
So yes, it does matter.
Sustainability Is the New Standard
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword, it’s a legal, ethical, and strategic imperative. With the 2025 reforms mandating that sustainability be considered at every AGM and embedded into capital works planning, strata schemes must now treat environmental responsibility as core business.
At Bettr Strata, we don’t just comply, we lead.
What We Support
We actively help committees plan and implement:
- Solar installations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower long-term energy costs
- LED lighting upgrades that cut electricity use and maintenance overheads
- EV charging infrastructure to future-proof buildings and support the shift to electric vehicles
- Water-saving initiatives, including smart irrigation and efficient plumbing retrofits
- Green space planning and native landscaping that enhances biodiversity and liveability
Sustainability as Strategy, not a Checkbox
We work with committees to:
- Access rebates and grants that make upgrades more affordable
- Navigate heritage restrictions with sensitivity and compliance
- Align capital works planning with environmental goals, so sustainability is built into the budget, not bolted on as an afterthought
Sustainability isn’t a checkbox. It’s a strategy, one that adds value to your property, reduces long-term costs, and contributes to a healthier planet.
Giving Back to the Environment and Community
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond buildings. We believe in giving back, not only to our clients and local communities, but to the environment that sustains us all.
That’s why we’re exploring partnerships with local councils and environmental groups to support:
- Tree planting days in local parks and reserves
- Bush regeneration projects that restore native habitats
- Educational events that involve children, families, and volunteers from our network
We want to create opportunities for our team, our clients, and our communities to get their hands dirty – literally – and make a tangible difference.
Leading by Example
We’re also looking at how we can reduce our own operational footprint, from digital-first processes that cut paper waste, to choosing suppliers who share our values. And we’re encouraging our team to bring their families along to community events, because we believe the next generation should grow up seeing sustainability in action.
Community Engagement: The Heart of Strata Living
Strata is about people. Buildings may be made of bricks and concrete, but communities are built on connection, trust, and shared purpose.
At Bettr Strata, we foster that connection through:
- Tailored communication plans that ensure every resident feels informed and included
- Support for community events and initiatives that bring neighbours together
- Conflict resolution pathways that prioritise empathy and fairness
- Education for new residents and committees to build confidence and understanding
We also partner with organisations like the Wollongong Homeless Hub, donating for every property we manage.
Looking Ahead: A Busy 2026 of Giving Back
We’re gearing up for a busy 2026 calendar of events focused on giving back to the communities we serve. From local fundraisers to awareness campaigns, we’re proud to support causes that matter, and we’re doing it with heart.
We’re selective about the initiatives we support because we want our involvement to be meaningful, not performative. But we’re also open to ideas from our clients and local community. If you know of a cause, event, or initiative that aligns with our values, we’d love to hear from you.
Whether it’s a school fundraiser, a community clean-up, or a local charity drive, we’re here to help turn good ideas into real impact.
Mental Health & Well-Being: Building Communities That Care
Strata stress is real. From noisy neighbours to financial pressures, the emotional toll of shared living can be significant, and often overlooked.
At Bettr Strata, we believe mental health and well-being should be part of the conversation. That’s why we support:
- Responsive service and empathetic communication that reduces frustration and builds trust
- A team culture built on four-day weeks, paid leave, and flexibility, because happy teams deliver better service
- Community initiatives that foster connection, reduce isolation, and promote a sense of belonging
We also cap portfolio sizes to ensure our team members aren’t overwhelmed. This means our clients receive consistent, high-quality service, and our staff maintain their well-being in what can be a demanding industry.
As a client, you’ll never feel like “just a number” or be left wondering, “Why can’t we get hold of our strata manager anymore?” We’re here, we’re responsive, and we care.
Financial Planning: Empowering Owners to Make Smart Decisions
Financial clarity is non-negotiable, and we deliver it.
At Bettr Strata, we believe that every dollar spent by an owners corporation should be accounted for, understood, and confidently explained. That’s why we help owners and committees:
- Align budgets with maintenance schedules and compliance obligations
- Track spending with clear, itemised monthly reports
- Forecast capital works to avoid reactive levies and financial surprises
- Understand levies and reserve funds so decisions are made with context
- Make informed choices through education and transparent communication
But we’re not just talking about spreadsheets, we’re talking about trust.
The clients reaching out to us aren’t just frustrated by poor customer service. They’re concerned about the lack of attention to financials. We hear stories of meetings where the financials are “glossed over,” or where committee members feel their strata manager “had something to hide or just didn’t know the details.”
That’s a worrying trend.
If you own a lot in a strata scheme, you deserve a manager who is across the detail. Someone who spends time on the financials, understands the numbers, and can speak to them with confidence and clarity.
At Bettr Strata, we take that responsibility seriously. We don’t just manage your money; we help you understand it.
Future Challenges: What Strata Management Must Confront
The strata industry is facing a series of complex and compounding challenges and ignoring them isn’t an option.
Key challenges include:
- Reform fatigue and legal complexity
- Public trust erosion due to unethical practices
- Talent shortages and burnout
- Data fragmentation and digital gaps
- Owner disengagement and strata illiteracy
At Bettr Strata, we address these challenges with proactive service, ethical leadership, and a people-first culture. But from where I sit, the most urgent issue is rebuilding trust.
Let’s be clear, not all corporate strata is the same. There are some exceptional colleagues working in corporate environments who genuinely care about their teams, clients, and the long-term health of the industry. I’ve worked alongside many of them, and their commitment is real.
But the reality is, many of the people making the big decisions haven’t managed a strata scheme or a portfolio, and if they have, it was years ago. Strata today is a different beast. Expectations from owners, committees, and stakeholders have evolved, and the demands placed on great strata managers are higher than ever.
In what I call “corporate strata,” where volume is the game, talent burnout is inevitable. Great strata managers are working 60+ hour weeks just to stay afloat, let alone get ahead. While many corporate firms have support teams in place, the reality is that unreasonable portfolio sizes are being handed out under the guise of “we gave you time back by investing in support.”
The people making these decisions are often looking at spreadsheets, not communities. Not their teams. They’re building portfolios based on numbers, not on what it actually takes to deliver quality service. And in doing so, they’re burning out the very people who make strata work. The client experience suffers, and committees are left wondering why their manager is always unavailable or reactive. That’s when they start exploring their options, and rightly so.
At Bettr Strata, we do things differently. We tackle these concerns with our lens firmly focused on the team and the client. We cap portfolios, invest in our people, and build systems that support both our team and our clients. Because the future of strata depends on trust, sustainability, and leadership that understands the human side of the work. From there, everything else takes care of itself, and the client experience becomes something people want to be part of for the long term.
Legal Considerations: Staying Compliant, Protected & Informed
Legal compliance is critical in strata, not just to avoid risk, but to ensure fairness, transparency, and trust across the community.
At Bettr Strata, we support:
- By-law reviews and registration
- Transparent agency agreements
- Insurance compliance without commissions
- Coordination with legal teams on disputes and governance
We stay ahead of the law by working with trusted legal experts and NSW Fair Trading, so you don’t have to worry.
And unlike some of our colleagues, we know our limits when it comes to legal advice. We don’t pretend to be strata lawyers masquerading as strata managers (we all know that person in a strata office). But we do know the best strata lawyers in NSW, and we connect our clients with them when needed.
It’s about knowing when to lead, and when to bring in the right support. That’s how we keep our clients protected, informed, and confident in every decision.
Community Engagement Strategies: Turning Buildings into Communities
Strata is more than bricks and mortar, it’s about people. And at Bettr Strata, we believe that connection is the foundation of good strata.
We help committees build thriving communities through:
- Inclusive communication
We tailor communication plans to suit each building’s unique culture, ensuring every resident feels informed, respected, and heard. Whether it’s multilingual notices, digital updates, or face-to-face engagement, we make sure no one is left out of the conversation. - Collaborative decision-making
We empower committees to lead with transparency and consensus. Our role is to guide, not dictate, helping owners make decisions together, not in silos. - Local partnerships and social impact
We actively seek opportunities to connect buildings with their broader communities. From supporting local charities to partnering with organisations like the Wollongong Homeless Hub, we believe strata should be a force for good beyond its boundaries. - Education and empowerment
We provide onboarding for new committee members, resources for residents, and ongoing support to help everyone understand their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. Knowledge builds confidence, and confident communities thrive. - Tailored engagement plans
No two buildings are the same. That’s why we work with committees to develop engagement strategies that reflect their values, demographics, and goals. Whether it’s community BBQs, sustainability workshops, or digital town halls, we help bring people together in meaningful ways.
We don’t treat community engagement as a checkbox or a once-a-year social media post. It’s embedded in how we operate, how we communicate, and how we lead.
Because when people feel connected, supported, and valued, strata living becomes not just easier – but better.
Got a Community Idea? Let’s Talk
We’re always looking for ways to support meaningful causes and community initiatives. If you’re part of a local organisation, committee, or group with an idea that aligns with our ethos, whether it’s environmental, educational, or social. we want to hear from you.
Reach out to us at:
📧 hello@bettrstrata.com.au
📞 02 4217 5588
💻 www.bettrstrata.com.au
Let’s build something great together.
Yours in strata,
JM
Note: If you’ve made it this far, thank you. And yes, I know the formatting’s a bit chaotic. I’ve got a meeting with the marketing team on Monday to help me clean it up. As a blogger, I make a great strata manager.
It was either accept insurance commissions and hire a full-time social media expert…or reject commissions and be part of the necessary change in strata. I chose the latter.
So, while my headings might be inconsistent and my bullet points occasionally rebellious, the message is clear: we’re here to do strata differently, with integrity, transparency, and a bit of personality.
Thanks for reading, and for being part of a community that cares about doing strata better.