We are a nation that speaks 8 separate strata dialects, yet the basic strata concepts are the same across the nation. So are the issues that trouble us. As we seek to understand what unites us and what divides us, this week our focus is Western Australia.
Western Australia has a uniquely structured strata landscape with 261,660 lots across 52,878 schemes. Here are some other highlights of the latest research about the Western Australian strata market:
· 10% of the population live in strata (compared to 15% nationally).
· 83% of Western Australian strata schemes contain 5 lots or fewer.
· 50% of residents are aged between 20 – 39.
What makes Western Australia's strata laws distinctive?
· Mandatory annual reporting by strata managers – unlike other states where buildings report basic information to government, WA requires strata managers to submit comprehensive annual reports detailing building numbers, sizes, finances, and manager qualifications.
· Comprehensive data collection – Strata managers collectively hold over half a billion dollars in strata owner funds, with this financial transparency providing valuable industry insights unavailable elsewhere in Australia.
· Progressive reform approach– Currently undertaking a five-year statutory review of the Strata Titles Act 1985 with a two-phase public consultation.
Western Australia is conducting a five-year statutory review of the Strata Titles Act 1985 through a two-phase consultation process coordinated by Landgate. The first phase (October 2024) gathered input from stakeholders, with 12,000 participants and 1,645 formal responses, 87% coming from strata owners. The second phase will present potential reforms for public comment later in 2025.
The review focuses on three areas: cost control mechanisms, improvements to strata living conditions, and strata manager practice standards. This approach follows the implementation of previous reforms that began in 2020, with findings to be compiled in a report to Parliament in late 2025.
This structured approach to legislative review differs from methods used in some other jurisdictions, providing a systematic mechanism for identifying and addressing issues within the strata framework.
Michael Teys advises strata management businesses on improving profitability through professionalisation and streamlined operating systems.
He has more than 30 years’ experience as a strata lawyer and academic and has owned 11 strata management agencies throughout Australia. He has a Master of Philosophy (Built Environment) and Bachelor of Laws. He lectures and writes widely about strata management issues in Australia and internationally.
