Property peak body, Strata Community Association (SCA) has expressed deep concern following confirmation that the federal government’s $2.3 billion energy pledge will not include the 5 million Australians living in strata-titled properties.

Announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the policy offers a 30% discount on household batteries, with the goal of 1 million installations by 2030. However, strata communities—already facing significant barriers to electrification—have so far been left out of the scheme entirely.

We are looking forward to engaging with the leaders of both parties on this issue specifically, and on strata’s national policy priorities broadly, leading up to the federal election to continue making progress for all Australians living in strata.

The release of Strata Insights 2024 confirms just how much strata living has grown across the country, now housing a significant and rapidly increasing portion of Australia’s population. This data makes it clear: strata must be part of national planning and policy execution. To ignore this segment is to leave millions behind.

“This is a glaring omission,” said SCA National President, Josh Baldwin. “Strata residents make up a critical part of Australia’s urban fabric. Excluding them from key energy policies will worsen inequality and slow our national progress toward net zero.”

SCA’s report, Electric Vehicles in Strata – Phase 2: Challenges, outlines the substantial hurdles strata properties face in adopting sustainable technologies—from outdated infrastructure to complex cost-sharing arrangements.

“Strata communities are eager to be part of the energy transition, and any schemes and programs need to be designed to include what is a massive and growing segment of the population, Baldwin added.

SCA has tirelessly advocated for sustainability initiatives and programs in strata complexes that mean people in apartments have the same access to renewable uptake as their freestanding counterparts.

With recent successes like the solar for apartments schemes in NSW and Victoria, prominent inclusion for electric vehicle uptake in apartments in the National Electric Vehicle Strategy and a seat at the table on apartment energy disclosure, Joshua Baldwin emphasised the need for targeted policies for strata:

SCA is calling on the federal government to always plan around strata communities and develop inclusive, strata-aware policies that reflect the reality of modern Australian housing.

It’s time for government policy to catch up with how Australians live—starting with equitable access to energy upgrades for strata communities.