SCAQ submission to the QCAT Review: what it means for strata

SCAQ has formally lodged a submission to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act Statutory Review.

We wanted to let you know why we have taken this step, and why it matters to you and the bodies corporate you support.

Why this submission matters

Many of you have told us, consistently and candidly, about your experiences with QCAT in body corporate matters. In particular:

• lengthy delays in dispute resolution

• decisions made without sufficient understanding of the body corporate legislative framework

• the real and ongoing impacts this has on committees, owners and communities

  
  

These are not abstract concerns. Delayed or incorrectly adjudicated matters can lead to escalating conflict, financial strain, governance paralysis and, in some cases, unresolved building and safety risks.

What SCAQ is advocating for

Our submission focuses on practical, system-level reforms, including:

• specialist adjudication of body corporate matters within QCAT

• improved triage and early case management to prevent matters from drifting

• better timeliness in levy recovery and building-related disputes

• legal representation as of right for bodies corporate in complex matters

• structural reforms to ensure QCAT retains and deploys appropriate expertise

  
  

Importantly, we have also aligned, where appropriate, with the Australian College of Strata Lawyers to advocate for a dedicated Body Corporate and Community Management division within QCAT, while retaining judicial oversight for appeals.

Why we are sharing this with you

This submission reflects what we hear from members every day. It is about ensuring that dispute resolution works as it should, fairly, efficiently and with proper understanding of the strata environment.

We encourage you to read the submission and see how SCAQ is advocating on your behalf.

👉 [Read the submission here]

As always, if you have feedback, examples or insights you would like to share, please reach out. Your experiences directly inform our advocacy.