The National Occupational Licensing Agency has released final recommendations for a nationally recognised licensing scheme for strata managers for state consideration before a final decision will be made in late 2013.
The decision regulation impact statement describes on more than 260 pages how the states will be impacted by a positive licensing scheme. For us at SCA (QLD) some form of licensing or registration has been on the agenda for 30 years and it is positive to note that the key qualification recommended by NOLA is the current Certificate IV Property Services (Operations). The SCA registered training organisation has been offering the certificate for two years and in Queensland more than 80 members have finished it so far.
While this is good news at this stage, the next step is a final round of state-based consultation and it is unclear whether the Queensland government will agree to the scheme.
In supporting a system that promotes professionalism SCA (QLD) is proactively implementing an accreditation pathway by 30 June 2014. The foundations have been laid in the past three months, moving members to a new database and introducing a clearer membership terminology. Members will be able to apply for accreditation if they meet the relevant criteria, providing consumer confidence in the strata manager’s qualifications. The accreditation pathway includes a commitment to ongoing education through continuing professional development. Our goal as the peak industry body is to raise awareness that it is a critical decision whether a professional strata manager administers a strata scheme or someone who is unqualified.
This decision should not be made lightly as it will have impact on the value of owner assets in the long-term. In addition, the compliance requirements for strata community owners are captured on 600 pages in the BCCM Act alone which requires a specialist to understand and manage.
In raising awareness for our profession the board has been actively releasing information on consumer issues and legislative changes to the public that has generated in excess of 60 media articles. Representing strata community issues in the public arena supports the recognition of our membership as professionals and our industry as supporting residents in strata communities. Essentially, much of our advocacy work is done with a view to improve the administrative requirements for strata schemes which improves living in strata. As the Newman government’s goal is to reduce red tape legislation, SCA (QLD)’s Legislation Committee has been heavily supporting this ambition by putting in seven submissions to various government departments, for example in relation to the QCAT Review, lot entitlements and disclosure requirements and the registration of community management statements. Our advocacy work in the past year included quarterly stakeholder meetings with the attorney-general, commissioner and industry groups as well as an invitation to the Queensland government’s response to independent commission of audit and the Queensland treasurer’s budget lockdown.
SCA (QLD) set out 18 months ago to revert to a structure and culture that focuses on member service that was to be achieved at several levels. At the end of the 2012/13 financial year we can look back on an impressive account of changes that have brought us closer to our members. Our total membership has grown by 3.3% over the last year, a positive indicator that the changes at SCA (QLD) are returning the desired positive impacts for members. Members now manage an estimated 270,000 lots in Queensland and strata services members come from various industries including legal, finance, insurance and associated trades. The support of the strata services membership is critical to SCA (QLD) as it supports the operations and enables us to deliver more services. Hence it is a positive sign that as of 1 July there are three new sponsors on board and a few have increased their support level significantly. We are very grateful for the generosity of our partners and sponsors and wouldn’t be able to deliver many services without them.
The major incentive for our members in 2012-13 was to decrease both membership and education seminar fees by 15% while increasing education and networking opportunities. Our annual symposium in March 2013 was a huge success that we were able to offer at 40% lower prices that, in turn, attracted 25% more members to attend. Over the two days we had more than 210 delegates listening in on two dozen sessions. Not only the symposium success but a few other IT, administration and management cost reductions have resulted in a substantial end of year profit that will be used to support our 30th anniversary celebrations in October as well as some much needed advocacy support.
As a not for profit body we mostly rely on volunteers that drive our committees and are supported by SCA (QLD) staff. We realise that one of the core functions as an industry body that many of our members benefit from is uniting the industry to voice concerns to the relevant stakeholders. In particular the connections to the government and regulator are important to members and we see some opportunities to proactively drive various key issues. The board has made a decision to use some funds to undertake a specific legislation review as the attorney-general has announced a comprehensive consultation in relation to the BCCM Act.
Our involvement in legislative reviews is crucial and thus far has been impacting positively.
