Put the complaint in writing to the manager first and ask for a written response. If you're not satisfied, escalate to the agency's principal or director. Still unresolved? Take it to the committee, then to the state regulator (Fair Trading, CAV, etc.) and ultimately the tribunal.
These are the state administrative tribunals that handle strata disputes — NCAT in NSW, VCAT in Victoria, QCAT in Queensland, SACAT in SA, ACAT in the ACT, and equivalents in WA, NT and Tasmania. They're cheap, fast and don't require a lawyer.
Yes in most states. NSW and QLD require you to attempt mediation through Fair Trading or the Commissioner before lodging an application. The mediation is free and resolves a high percentage of disputes without a hearing.
Try a direct conversation first — most disputes come from misunderstandings. If that fails, write to them. If still unresolved, lodge a by-law breach complaint with the owners corporation, then mediate, then escalate to the tribunal.
You can ask the committee to reconsider, requisition a general meeting to overturn the decision, or apply to the tribunal to set the decision aside. Tribunals can overturn decisions that are unfair, unlawful or so unreasonable no reasonable committee would have made them.
Yes. If the manager has materially breached the agency agreement and caused loss — failure to insure, lost insurance claim, missed compliance deadline, lost records — the owners corporation can claim damages. Most matters are heard in the state tribunal first.
Tribunal orders are enforceable like court orders. If a person ignores an order, the affected party can register the order with the local court and use court enforcement powers — including fines, contempt proceedings and (rarely) imprisonment for serious non-compliance.
Usually not for straightforward tribunal matters — they're designed for self-representation. You should consider a strata lawyer for complex cases (defects, large damages claims, manager removal contests) or where you're going against a represented party.
Get a defect report from an independent inspector, give the developer formal written notice listing every defect with photos and dates, and demand rectification. If they refuse, escalate to the state building authority and ultimately the tribunal or court for orders.
Generally no. The strata manager and committee need to verify the facts and investigate, which usually requires them to know the complainant. State regulators may accept anonymous complaints for serious matters (fraud, safety) but won't investigate vague concerns.