Welcome to
Strata Pathways Academy provides a tailored practical education for the strata industry.
Develop and grow your career on the right path!
Strata Pathways Academy is driven by David Bannerman's active engagement in both the property and strata domains, and seamlessly extends from the success of the legal practice. Our mission is to guide students along a tailored education pathway, providing practical training and assessments that build real-world skills in strata and property management.
Powered by industry leading law firm Bannermans Lawyers! Our trainers are highly qualified in all areas of property law.
Strata Pathways Academy offers a tailored education with assessments that give you hands-on practical experience.
Email & phone support for all students (current and past). Your property education is a continual journey and we are here to support you every step!
All students of Strata Pathways Academy get access to the Bannermans Compliance Pack. The largest strata library in NSW, covering the A-Z of strata!
Our new training academy for the strata industry represents a revolutionary step forward in professional education. This state-of-the-art institution offers a comprehensive learning experience tailored to meet the diverse needs of its students.
With a curriculum designed by industry experts, the academy is dedicated to fostering the next generation of strata industry professionals, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in a dynamic and competitive field.
The Assistant Strata Manager Course was incredibly practical and easy to relate back to my day-to-day work. I especially liked the case studies and examples—they helped the content click and made the study requirements much easier to understand. I’ve also noticed a real difference in my confidence: I’m now more comfortable investigating issues and doing the groundwork before escalating them to managers, which has helped me support the team more effectively.
Jennifer, Assistant Strata Manager course student
One of the standout parts of Strata Pathways Academy’s Assistant Strata Manager Course is the access you get to David Bannerman. Having an experienced strata lawyer and true industry expert available to unpack concepts, answer questions and share real case studies makes the learning feel immediately relevant. David has a way of explaining the ‘why’ behind the rules and the practical implications in day-to-day strata work, which helped me connect the dots much faster and build confidence in how I approach issues.
Belinda, Assistant Strata Manager course & CPP40521 Certificate IV in Strata Community Management student
I can’t recommend Strata Pathways Academy’s Assistant Strata Manager Course highly enough. It’s the perfect combination of in-person learning and self-study, and having access to David while working through the course alongside your peers makes such a difference. The real-life case examples used during the sessions are invaluable—everything lands more clearly when there’s a practical element. The course doesn’t give you all the answers, but it does give you the skills and confidence to research issues properly and understand how everything is set up, including the hierarchy of key documents and processes.
Sharn, Assistant Strata Manager course student
I recently completed the Assistant Strata Manager Course through Strata Pathways Academy and am currently completing the Class 2 course. Both courses have been extremely valuable in helping me build practical skills and a real understanding of what’s involved in being a strata manager. What stood out most was the practical focus of the training. The courses go beyond theory and use real-world examples, case studies and day-to-day scenarios that are directly relevant to working in strata management. This practical approach has helped me feel more confident applying what I’ve learned in the workplace.
Victoria, Assistant Strata Manager course & CPP40521 Certificate IV in Strata Community Management student
I found the Assistant Strata Manager Course at Strata Pathways Academy really valuable. The course was easy to follow, and the content felt very relevant to the work I was doing. I especially liked the practical past papers, as they helped me apply what I was learning in class to real strata management situations. The real-world examples and case studies made the topics much easier to understand, and the supportive learning environment helped me feel more confident throughout the course.
Sophia, Assistant Strata Manager course student
The courses were extremely well structured and easy to follow, with practical content that was relevant to real situations within the strata industry. I appreciated how each topic was explained clearly and supported with examples that made the learning more engaging and easier to apply in the workplace. The trainers were knowledgeable, approachable and always willing to provide guidance when needed. Completing these courses has given me greater confidence in my role and a much stronger understanding of the industry overall.
Samreet, Assistant strata manager course student
This course gave me a much better understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities involved in strata management. The content was practical, easy to follow and relevant to real workplace situations, which made it much easier to apply what I was learning straight away. The trainers were knowledgeable, supportive and clearly experienced in the industry, and I especially appreciated the real-world examples and guidance around legislation, communication and managing owner enquiries. I now feel far more confident supporting my team and progressing my career in strata management.
Niki, Assistant strata manager course student
The best part of the course was being able to ask David questions that went beyond the basic curriculum and get real industry insight. The classes were highly interactive, with knowledge checkpoints and group discussions that made the learning engaging and practical.
Julianna, Assistant Strata Manager course student
Strata Pathways Academy was created by David Bannerman, Principal of Bannermans Lawyers. The firm was established in 2007 and provides high quality specialist legal services for strata, land, construction, and development focusing on group title structures.
With its expertise and industry experience, Bannermans Lawyers has become one of Sydney’s leading strata law firms and employs a team of over 50 staff, including 28 highly skilled lawyers.
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With David’s active role in both the property and strata industry combined with his experience and passion for education, Strata Pathways Academy is the perfect branch to have been created from an already successful business. Our goal is to guide our students along their education pathway to prepare them with practical training and assessments to ensure a better understanding of the strata and property industry.
With the assistance of many Bannermans team members, Strata Pathways Academy was created to better equip the industry with the right knowledge and practical experience developed specifically for them.
We initially approached the strata industry and interviewed strata managers, assistants, licensees, and training managers, to ensure we created an RTO whose materials were written specifically for their audience. Through research, testing and feedback we are seeking to ensure that Strata Pathways Academy delivers the training that property professionals need.
Our RTO was approved in June 2024 and we are excited to deliver a bespoke tailored courses for the strata and property industry.
The academy draws from the collective industry experience, ensuring that our training materials are finely tuned to meet the specific requirements of strata managers, assistants, licensees, and training managers.
Through meticulous research, testing, and feedback, the Strata Pathways Academy team is committed to delivering a comprehensive educational experience that precisely caters to the evolving demands of the strata sector.
Principal & Industry Trainer
David Bannerman is the principal of Bannermans Lawyers, Sydney’s leading Strata Law firm, providing specialised legal services for the strata, development, construction, and the insurance industry focusing on group title structures.
David is a qualified lawyer. He is an Accredited Property Law Specialist with the Law Society of New South Wales and has over 15 years extensive experience in all aspects of property law and building litigation.
David has a keen interest in education and training. He demonstrates his commitment by regularly presenting education seminars to strata managers, developers, insurers, lawyers, experts, certifiers, and other stakeholders in the strata industry.
His experience of these industries and in the courts enables him to identify and cost effective practical legal solutions and training in developments in the law in a practical and helpful way.
Consultant & Industry Trainer
Matthew Jenkins is a partner and the general manager of Bannermans Lawyers, Sydney’s leading Strata Law firm. The firm provides specialized legal services for the strata, development, construction, and insurance industries, with a focus on group title structures. Matthew is a qualified lawyer with over 15 years of experience in the strata industry at the firm. He has a passion for strata and community title law, with a strong emphasis on education and training. Matthew is dedicated to helping strata managers, owners, and committees understand their legal obligations and confidently navigate complex regulatory requirements. Matthew empowers his clients with the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage strata schemes effectively.
Registered Trainer
David Cheney is a senior and industry-leading strata manager who has now retired from the profession. He operated as a Licensed Strata Manager and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
To share his expertise and support the training of strata professionals through Strata Pathways Academy, David Cheney has successfully completed the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
With over 30 years of professional financial and corporate experience at senior officer and consultant levels, David Cheney has held a broad range of roles in corporate, professional accountancy, finance, and government entities, with a strong emphasis on client service (internal and external) and issue resolution.
He has more than 12.5 years of experience as a strata manager, including team leadership and mentoring. David Cheney worked at the largest strata management company in Australia, managing strata schemes, BMC and community portfolios, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. He became a specialist in large strata schemes (100+ lots), BMCs, and managing challenging strata schemes.
Student Support Officer
Meet Holly, a seasoned legal administrative assistant with a wealth of experience in performing a diverse range of clerical tasks to support lawyers and paralegals in their day-to-day operations. Holly excels in conducting thorough research, adeptly scheduling meetings, performing various administrative tasks, and creating meticulous documentation. Her role is pivotal in providing indispensable support, saving valuable time for partners and associates.
At the core of Holly's success is her keen understanding of the services her firm provides. She approaches her responsibilities with efficiency, ensuring that tight deadlines are consistently met.
With Holly on board, you can trust in her proficiency to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to the overall success of your legal team.
Enrolment & Compliance Officer
For over a decade, Tanya Janklin has strengthened RTO operations and compliance across the VET sector. As Enrolment & Compliance Officer at Strata Pathways Academy, she manages the full enrolment lifecycle and ensures delivery remains fully compliant with ASQA and the Standards for RTOs.
Working closely with industry trainers in the strata sector, Tanya keeps programs current, student-centred, and aligned with regulatory requirements, including the transition to the new Standards for RTOs 2025.
She also leads proactive student support across the learner journey, from enquiry and enrolment through orientation, LLN screening and reasonable adjustment, to progression monitoring and graduation, ensuring clear communication, timely assistance, and an inclusive, positive learning experience.
Marketing Manager
For over 12 years, Alison Spink has led the marketing efforts at Bannermans Lawyers, making significant contributions to the strata industry. Her dedication to education is evident through her co-hosting of numerous webinars with David Bannerman and her previous roles as a committee member and chairman of the Young Strata Network for Strata Community Australia (SCA) NSW.
Alison's extensive industry knowledge and experience across various business areas make her an invaluable member of the team.
Strata Pathways Academy is committed to providing quality services to our students by:
Our goal is to guide our students along their education pathway to prepare them with practical training and assessments to ensure a better understanding of the property industry.
Bannermans Lawyers – the parent company to Strata Pathways Academy, provide high quality specialist legal services to the strata, development, construction, and insurance industries. Since the firm’s establishment in 2007, it has applied its expertise and industry experience to becoming Sydney’s leading strata law firm, employing a team of over 40 staff, including approximately 23 highly skilled lawyers.
Visit the Bannermans website here.
Need to know more? Read our frequently asked questions.
What course do I need to complete to become an assistant strata manager?
To work as an assistant strata manager, you need a certificate of registration. This is an entry level position with limited functions but allows you to get the experience and knowledge needed to become a licensed strata manager. To gain this qualification you need to successfully complete the Assistant Strata Manager course delivered by Strata Pathways Academy. For enrolment details please click here.
What are the different types of strata managing agent licences?
There are two classes of strata managing agent licence – class 1 and class 2. Before you get a class 2 licence you must first hold a certificate of registration as an assistant strata manager for at least 12 months. On top of this you must also gain experience under the supervision of a licensee. For more details on assistant strata managers please click here. A class 2 agent licence allows you to provide management services for strata and community schemes. You need to have a class 2 licence for two years before you can apply for a class 1 licence. This helps build your skills and experience, so you are ready to take on the additional functions of a class 1 agent. A class 1 agent licence is a higher level of licence than a class 2 licence and has additional responsibilities. For more details and functions of these licences then please click here.
What course do I need to complete to become a class 2 strata manager?
To become a class 2 strata manager, you need to successfully complete the CPP40521 Certificate IV in Strata Community Management after successful completion of the assistant strata manager course (ASMC). The Certificate IV course needs to be completed within (2 or 4) years of completion of the ASMC.
What course do I need to do to become a class 1 strata manager (licensee in charge)?
A class 1 agent licence is a higher level of licence than a class 2 licence and has additional responsibilities. A class 1 licence allows you to:
To be eligible for a class 1 strata managing agent licence you must meet one of the pathways below:
PATHWAY 1 +
You held a class 1 strata managing agent licence within 12 months of applying.
PATHWAY 2 +
You held a class 2 strata managing agent licence for at least 2 years, and have completed the following work experience requirements for a class 1 agent over a 2-year period:
What states in Australia do you cover?
Strata Pathways Academy offers training for NSW only.
Do you also offer CPD training?
Yes, we do! Strata Pathways Academy is powered by Bannermans Lawyers. Click here for more information.
How do I enrol?
Please click here to complete your enrolment form and start your strata journey today!
What are my entry requirements for the Assistant Strata Manager course?
To be eligible to enrol, you need to:
What are my entry requirements for CPP40521 Certificate IV in Strata Community Management?
Strata Pathways Academy do require learners to meet the following local entry requirements:
Our other training package entry requirements for our Certificate IV in Strata Community Management course is that you must have completed your Assistant Strata Management Course and then hold a certificate of registration with a minimum of 12 months experience and gain experience under the supervision of a licensee.
My login won’t work. What should I do?
If you are having trouble logging in, please try resetting your password using the ‘Forgot your password?’ link on the login page. If you are still having issues, please email our enrolment manager Fiona Nicholas at fiona@stratapathways.com.au and we will aim to respond to you as quickly as possible.
For any further questions feel free to call us on (02) 8552 1377 or email enquiries@stratapathways.com.au
Email us using the form below.
