Essential checks and tasks for a strata committee
This handy to-do list covers many of the crucial checks and tasks a strata committee should complete every year
Whether you are a committee member or lot owner, you are likely interested in maintaining your strata, body corporate or owners corporation property. After all, it’s only natural to want to live in a peaceful, well-maintained environment.
However, when it comes to successfully managing and maintaining a strata property and remaining compliant with laws that govern community living, it isn’t always clear what exactly needs to be done annually.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of checks and tasks a body corporate, owners corporation or strata committee should complete every 12 months between annual general meetings (AGMs). While this information is most relevant to body corporate and strata committee members, lot owners can also use it to understand which tasks your elected strata committee should be completing.
While there are numerous checks and tasks a strata committee should engage in on an annual basis in maintaining your strata property, these are some of the more important ones to complete:
1. Fire safety
Since the London Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, fire safety has been top of mind for government departments that oversee community living and residents of such communities. It’s easy to see why — a severe fire can result in the loss of lives, valuable investments and livelihoods. It’s in everyone’s best interests to prevent fires from occurring and getting out of control in the first place.
That’s why we recommend placing fire safety checks at the top of the list of checks and tasks a body corporate, owners corporation or strata committee should complete. A strata property’s mandatory fire safety requirements will differ from state to state, so each property’s strata committee must stay up-to-date with state-based requirements.

In New South Wales, a fire safety certificate should be issued whenever new building work is complete to certify the changes uphold fire safety standards. Suppose a strata committee improves a property’s fire safety by installing measures like sprinklers. In that case, the measures will need to be checked, and a fire safety certificate issued by a qualified inspector.
Your strata property should have an accredited practitioner (fire safety) assess the property’s fire safety measures (like smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and fire exits) each year before signing off an annual fire safety statement. While this is not mandatory for some properties — depending on rules laid out by your local council — we recommend completing this certification every year for peace of mind.
You can learn more about New South Wales strata fire safety requirements by clicking here.

All fire safety installations in Queensland, including structural features, fire protection systems, firefighting equipment and safety features, must be tested and well-maintained. Specific requirements for your property may vary. Body corporate committees should:
- Ensure evacuation routes are clear and safe
- Review the property’s fire and safety evacuation plan annually
- Complete a fire evacuation drill every year
- Assign an evacuation coordinator who undergoes quarterly training
- Have fire safety records and documents ready for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), and keep duplicate copies at different locations.
For more information on Queensland fire safety requirements, click here

In Victoria, all owners corporation properties must be equipped with Essential Fire Safety Measures (ESMs) like fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and sprinkler systems. This equipment needs to be regularly checked and be operational. Each building should have an evacuation plan, and all residents must have access to it. Owners corporation committees must also organise an annual essential safety measures report and maintain records of all fire safety checks and upgrades.
You can learn more about Victorian owners corporation fire safety requirements by clicking here.