Can strata committee members be paid for their role?
Quick answer
In most Australian states, ordinary committee members serve voluntarily and aren't paid a fee for the role itself, though reasonable expense reimbursement is often allowed. Paying a member for separate work (like tradework) usually needs proper disclosure and approval. Check your state's rules on this.
Key takeaways
- Ordinary committee membership is generally voluntary and unpaid in most states
- Reasonable expense reimbursement is more commonly permitted than a fee for the role
- Paying a member for separate work requires clear disclosure and a documented, conflict-free approval process
Whether a committee member can receive any payment is a question that touches on conflicts of interest as much as remuneration, so it's worth treating carefully.
The general position
Most states treat committee membership as a voluntary role, without a standard sitting fee or salary. This reflects the position that committee members are owners acting for their own scheme, not paid officials.
Reimbursement of expenses
Reasonable, properly authorised expenses — postage, printing, or costs genuinely incurred carrying out committee duties — are more commonly permitted, subject to the scheme's own rules and any approval process the committee has set.
Paying a committee member for other work
It's not unusual for a committee member to also be a qualified tradesperson, and for the scheme to want to engage them for a specific job. This is allowed in many states, but usually only with:
- Clear disclosure of the conflict of interest before any decision is made
- The member not voting on the decision to engage themselves
- A properly documented quote and approval process, the same as for any other contractor
Doing this informally — without disclosure or a paper trail — is one of the more common sources of later disputes between owners and their committee.
Where this varies
Whether any form of payment is permitted, and what disclosure and approval process is required, depends on your state's legislation and by-laws. Check your state's legislation or regulator, and your state's page — [NSW](/strata-committee/nsw), [VIC](/strata-committee/vic), [QLD](/strata-committee/qld) — for the specific position, and get advice if a payment arrangement is being considered.
Keeping the record clean
Where a payment or reimbursement is genuinely approved, record the disclosure, the decision, and the vote (noting who abstained) in the minutes, and keep supporting invoices or receipts with the scheme's documents. This is the difference between a defensible decision and one that looks like it was made behind closed doors if it's ever questioned.
Strata committee membership is generally a voluntary, unpaid role in most Australian states, though reasonable expense reimbursement is often permitted. A committee member being paid for separate work, such as tradework, usually requires clear conflict-of-interest disclosure and a documented approval process where they don't vote on their own engagement. Rules vary by state, so check current legislation before arranging any payment.
Related questions
Want this handled for your building? See what Flex Strata costs or ask us directly.