Can a strata committee member be removed?
Quick answer
Yes — most states allow owners to remove a committee member by resolution at a general meeting, and some allow removal for specific reasons such as ceasing to be an owner. The exact process and grounds depend on your state's legislation, so check the rules that apply to your scheme.
Key takeaways
- Removal generally requires a proper resolution at a general meeting, not an informal committee vote
- Grounds and process differ by state — check your state's legislation
- Update the departing member's access to records and tools as soon as removal takes effect
Committee membership isn't necessarily permanent for the length of the annual term — there are ways to end it early, though the process differs across states.
Common grounds for removal
- A resolution passed by owners at a general meeting to remove a member
- The person ceasing to be an owner (or, where relevant, an owner's nominated representative) of a lot in the scheme
- The person becoming ineligible under the scheme's by-laws or state legislation
- Resignation (see our related item on resigning from the committee)
Why the process matters
Because committee decisions can affect all owners, most states require removal to go through a proper process — usually a motion at a general meeting rather than an informal committee vote to exclude someone. Trying to remove a member outside the correct process can leave the removal open to challenge later, and the person may still be entitled to attend meetings and vote until it's properly done.
State-by-state differences
The specific grounds, notice requirements and voting thresholds for removing a committee member differ by state. Rather than assume your neighbour's building's process applies to you, check your state's legislation or regulator, and your state's overview page — [NSW](/strata-committee/nsw), [VIC](/strata-committee/vic), [QLD](/strata-committee/qld) and others — for the current position.
What happens to their access afterwards
Once a member is properly removed or steps down, their access to committee records and tools should be updated straight away — removed from Committee Hub threads, any seat-based portal access adjusted, and action items reassigned if they were holding any. Leaving a former member with lingering access is a common oversight after a contested departure.
Disputes about removal
If a removal is disputed — for example, the member says the process wasn't followed correctly — this becomes a governance dispute that may need to go to your state's tribunal or dispute resolution body rather than being resolved informally within the committee.
A strata committee member can generally be removed by a resolution of owners at a general meeting, or in some states for specific reasons such as ceasing to be an owner. The exact grounds and process vary by state legislation, so committees should confirm the correct procedure for their state before acting, and update the departing member's access to records once removal takes effect.
Related questions
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