Neighbours & propertyNSWLast reviewed 16 September 2026

NSW strata disputes: free Fair Trading mediation then NCAT

Most NSW strata disputes need free Fair Trading mediation before NCAT. Apply online, then lodge at NCAT with mediation evidence unless an exemption applies. 2026 fees listed.

The short version

Start with NSW Fair Trading strata mediation. It is free. Apply at the NSW Government applying-for-strata-mediation page or the Fair Trading strata mediation portal.
Mediation is compulsory for most strata disputes before you can take the matter to NCAT. Attach mediation evidence to your NCAT application unless an exemption applies.
Exemptions under s 227(4) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 include (among others) appointing a managing agent, unit entitlements, lot access for inspect or repair, records inspection, and monetary penalty applications.
NCAT strata path is Consumer and Commercial Division. As at 1 July 2026, a strata and community schemes general application fee is $133 standard, $266 corporation, $33 reduced. General application plus interim orders lodged together: $267 / $534 / $67.
Soft cites: Strata Schemes Management Act 2015; Community Land Management Act 2021 for community schemes; NCAT strata and community living pages.

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What to do now

Official path: NSW Fair Trading, Applying for strata mediation. Portal: Strata mediation online. Mediation is free. Overview of dispute steps: Strata disputes.

Apply for Fair Trading strata mediation today unless you clearly fit a mediation exemption (see below). Use the apply page or the portal. Gather by-laws, meeting minutes, correspondence, photos, and what outcome you want.
Attend mediation if arranged. Keep the outcome letter or certificate. You usually need that evidence for NCAT.
If mediation does not resolve it (or you are exempt), apply to NCAT for strata and community living orders: NCAT strata schemes. Fees: Fees at NCAT (schedule as at 1 July 2026).
Budget the NCAT fee. Strata and community schemes general application: standard $133, corporation $266, reduced $33. General application for orders and interim orders when lodged at the same time: $267 / $534 / $67. Reduced (concession) fees are available if you qualify. Fees change on 1 July each year. Always re-check the live schedule before you pay.

Why mediation first

For most disputes under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, you must try Fair Trading mediation before NCAT will hear the application. Official pages split the path into talk, mediation, then tribunal. This guide keeps that order in one place.

Community scheme disputes follow a similar mediation-then-tribunal pattern under the Community Land Management Act 2021. Use the same Fair Trading mediation pathway and the NCAT strata and community living pages for the matching forms.

Mediation exemptions (brief)

Section 227(4) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 lists applications that can go to NCAT without mediation. Key examples include applications about:

appointing a strata managing agent
unit entitlements
access to a lot for inspection or repair
inspection of records
a monetary penalty

There are other listed exemptions. Read the Act section and the Fair Trading disputes page against your exact order type before you skip mediation. If you are not exempt, attach mediation evidence to the NCAT application.

What NCAT can deal with

NCAT's Consumer and Commercial Division hears strata and community living matters such as by-law enforcement, common property repairs, meeting and notice disputes, and other scheme management orders. Use the NCAT strata schemes page for forms and how to lodge.

Soft related path (not this guide): ordinary neighbour noise or dividing-fence disputes outside a strata scheme use different Fair Trading or Local Court pathways. Stay on the strata mediation and NCAT pages if your dispute is about a strata or community scheme.

Where to go

Fair Trading mediation: Applying for strata mediation · Portal · Disputes overview

NCAT: Strata schemes · Fees at NCAT

Legislation soft cite: Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW); Community Land Management Act 2021 (NSW); NCAT Consumer and Commercial Division.

Common questions

Is Fair Trading strata mediation really free?: Yes. NSW Fair Trading strata mediation does not charge an application fee. NCAT application fees are separate and are listed on the Fees at NCAT page (strata and community schemes schedule as at 1 July 2026).
Can I go straight to NCAT without mediating?: Only if your application type is exempt under section 227(4) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (for example appointing a managing agent, unit entitlements, lot access for inspect or repair, records inspection, or a monetary penalty). Otherwise mediation is compulsory and you attach mediation evidence to the NCAT application.
What is the current NCAT strata application fee?: As at 1 July 2026, a strata and community schemes general application is $133 standard, $266 for a corporation, and $33 reduced. Lodging a general application for orders and interim orders together is $267 / $534 / $67. Re-check Fees at NCAT before you pay because fees change on 1 July each year.

Primary sources

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Related guides

AI-generated legal information, not legal advice. Zoe can make mistakes. Check the cited sources, and before you act on this, rely on it, or use any draft, get a qualified Australian lawyer to check it.

The short version

Start with NSW Fair Trading strata mediation. It is free. Apply at the NSW Government applying-for-strata-mediation page or the Fair Trading strata mediation portal.

Mediation is compulsory for most strata disputes before you can take the matter to NCAT. Attach mediation evidence to your NCAT application unless an exemption applies.

Exemptions under s 227(4) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 include (among others) appointing a managing agent, unit entitlements, lot access for inspect or repair, records inspection, and monetary penalty applications.

NCAT strata path is Consumer and Commercial Division. As at 1 July 2026, a strata and community schemes general application fee is $133 standard, $266 corporation, $33 reduced. General application plus interim orders lodged together: $267 / $534 / $67.

Soft cites: Strata Schemes Management Act 2015; Community Land Management Act 2021 for community schemes; NCAT strata and community living pages.

What to do now

Apply for Fair Trading strata mediation today unless you clearly fit a mediation exemption (see below). Use the apply page or the portal. Gather by-laws, meeting minutes, correspondence, photos, and what outcome you want.

Attend mediation if arranged. Keep the outcome letter or certificate. You usually need that evidence for NCAT.

If mediation does not resolve it (or you are exempt), apply to NCAT for strata and community living orders: NCAT strata schemes. Fees: Fees at NCAT (schedule as at 1 July 2026).

Budget the NCAT fee. Strata and community schemes general application: standard $133, corporation $266, reduced $33. General application for orders and interim orders when lodged at the same time: $267 / $534 / $67. Reduced (concession) fees are available if you qualify. Fees change on 1 July each year. Always re-check the live schedule before you pay.

Why mediation first

Mediation exemptions (brief)

Section 227(4) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 lists applications that can go to NCAT without mediation. Key examples include applications about:

appointing a strata managing agent

unit entitlements

access to a lot for inspection or repair

inspection of records

a monetary penalty

What NCAT can deal with

Common questions

Is Fair Trading strata mediation really free?

Yes. NSW Fair Trading strata mediation does not charge an application fee. NCAT application fees are separate and are listed on the Fees at NCAT page (strata and community schemes schedule as at 1 July 2026).

Can I go straight to NCAT without mediating?

Only if your application type is exempt under section 227(4) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (for example appointing a managing agent, unit entitlements, lot access for inspect or repair, records inspection, or a monetary penalty). Otherwise mediation is compulsory and you attach mediation evidence to the NCAT application.

What is the current NCAT strata application fee?

As at 1 July 2026, a strata and community schemes general application is $133 standard, $266 for a corporation, and $33 reduced. Lodging a general application for orders and interim orders together is $267 / $534 / $67. Re-check Fees at NCAT before you pay because fees change on 1 July each year.