The Queensland Government’s online body corporate training can help you understand how community titles schemes are managed and where to find the relevant legislation. The training is free, and current official guidance can help you apply the course topics to your own body corporate.
What online body corporate training is available in Queensland?
The Queensland Government provides free online training to help body corporate members, committees and industry groups understand body corporate legislation. The courses are designed for committee members in Queensland, although anyone interested in bodies corporate can complete them.
The community titles scheme course is based on the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 and the Body Corporate and Community Management (Standard Module) Regulation 2020. The Act sets out the broader framework for community titles schemes, including bodies corporate, committees, meetings, financial management, property management, by-laws and dispute resolution.
Check which legislation applies to your scheme before relying on the training. Most Queensland community titles schemes fall under the BCCM Act, but other Acts can apply to some bodies corporate. The Queensland Government’s committee guidance recommends checking the community management statement and contacting Titles Queensland if you are unsure which legislation applies.
The Standard Module is one of several regulation modules used in Queensland. Government guidance also refers to the Accommodation Module and Commercial Module, while small schemes and specified two-lot schemes can have different committee arrangements.
A rule or process that applies to a Standard Module scheme may work differently for a scheme operating under another module. If you are new to the subject, you may also find our guides to what a body corporate is and what the body corporate committee does useful starting points.
Who can use the Queensland Government body corporate training?
The training is intended for committee members, but anyone interested in bodies corporate can access it. This can include lot owners, residents, body corporate managers and industry groups.
For a committee member, the course can provide useful background before participating in meetings or considering motions. The legislation sets out matters such as the committee’s composition, how members are chosen, committee meetings, restricted issues and the circumstances in which a body corporate manager may carry out committee functions.
For a lot owner, the training can make body corporate notices, meeting papers and financial information easier to follow. It can also help you identify when an issue needs to be considered by the committee, the body corporate at a general meeting or another decision-making process.
The training may also be useful if you are thinking about joining your committee. Committee members have responsibilities connected with the administration and day-to-day running of the body corporate. They make decisions on its behalf and put lawful decisions into place.
Check the regulation module that applies to your scheme, along with the wording of your community management statement, registered by-laws, meeting motions and other scheme records.
What does the online body corporate training cover?
The community titles scheme training covers:
- committees and committee meetings
- general meetings
- financial management
- maintenance
- by-laws.
The Queensland Government may also provide links to adjudicator orders, other legislation and webpages during the training.
These topics cover many of the areas involved in the day-to-day operation of a body corporate. A general explanation still needs to be checked against the details of your own scheme.
Committees and meetings
The committee topic can help you understand the committee’s role, membership and decision-making limits. For example, the Standard Module provides for committee positions, eligibility, elections, meetings, voting, records and vacancies.
A committee cannot decide every matter. Restrictions include setting or changing a levy, changing owners’ rights or obligations and matters that must be decided by a particular type of body corporate resolution.
General meetings
General meetings are where owners consider matters that require a body corporate decision. The process can involve meeting notices, motions, voting, proxies, polls and records. The BCCM Act includes provisions dealing with body corporate meetings and different voting methods.
Financial management
Financial management includes the body corporate’s funds, budgets, contributions and accounts. The course can help you become familiar with the terminology used when reviewing levy notices, budgets and financial reports.
The committee’s spending powers also have limits. Government guidance states that committee spending must be restricted and that money must be available in the budget before the committee spends it. If there is not enough money, the committee may need to call a general meeting to amend the budget or raise a special levy.
Maintenance
Maintenance questions often depend on the type of plan, the location of the item and the legislation applying to the scheme. The Government’s body corporate guidance includes information about responsibility for maintaining utility infrastructure. The BCCM Act also includes duties concerning common property, assets, lots and utility infrastructure.
By-laws
By-laws are rules made by a body corporate to control and manage common property, body corporate assets, services and facilities, and the use of lots.
The official guidance explains that a body corporate can make or change by-laws by passing a motion to record a new community management statement. Usually, a special resolution is required. A new or amended exclusive use by-law requires a resolution without dissent. A new community management statement must be registered with Titles Queensland, and the by-law starts when the statement is recorded unless it provides for a later date.
The training provides a way to become familiar with these areas without trying to read every provision of the legislation at once. When a matter affects your scheme directly, check the current legislation, your community management statement and the relevant government guidance.
How do you access the current training and official guidance?
Start with the Queensland Government’s current online body corporate training page. It includes the community titles scheme course, information about other training courses and the current online training portal. The courses are free to access.
The current page also includes information about registering and logging in. Use the links on that page rather than relying on registration or assessment links copied from older articles, saved documents or forum posts. Online services can change, so the current Government page is the best place to check the available access route.
You can use the same Government site to find supporting information about:
- the role of the body corporate and its people
- body corporate committees and meetings
- body corporate finances and insurance
- maintenance
- by-laws
- body corporate records
- dispute resolution.
These topics are grouped on the Queensland Government’s current body corporate and community management page.
Open the official guidance alongside the training. For example, if you are studying committees, the current committee guidance explains the roles of the chairperson, secretary, treasurer and body corporate manager. If you are studying by-laws, the current guidance explains how by-laws are made, changed and assessed for validity.
Keep a note of the regulation module used by your scheme and save the relevant Government pages with your body corporate records. This can make it easier to return to the right information when a committee meeting, general meeting or maintenance issue arises.
What should you check after completing the training?
The Queensland Government describes the courses as a basic introduction and overview of each course topic. The courses are not accredited and do not provide a qualification. The Government notes that people completing online training for continuing professional development can register on its business training portal.
After completing the training, take some time to connect the general information with your own scheme. Check:
- which Act and regulation module applies
- your community management statement
- your registered by-laws
- recent committee and general meeting minutes
- current budgets, levy notices and financial reports
- any notices or motions relevant to the issue you are considering.
The course and official guidance can help you understand the language used by your body corporate. Check the legislation and scheme records when a decision has financial, maintenance or compliance consequences.
Take extra steps to understand your rights, responsibilities and obligations under the legislation. For a specific or disputed matter, you may need independent legal advice. The Queensland Government also provides information about dispute resolution options, including the steps to take before making an application.
Our body corporate compliance factsheet can also help you consider whether your scheme has the records, processes and follow-up actions needed for good administration.
The free Queensland Government training is a practical starting point for understanding body corporate legislation, while current scheme records and official guidance help you apply that knowledge to your own circumstances. If you would like help working through a body corporate process, contact StrataCare at reception@stratacare.com.au.
