Key Takeaways:
- “Body corporate” and “owners corporation” refer to the same thing.
- The terms used vary by state.
- Understanding the terminology helps property owners navigate roles, responsibilities and industry jargon more confidently.
Functionally, the terms are interchangeable – rather like AFL, footy and Aussie Rules. Legally, it depends on where you live.
Body corporate and owners corporation are terms you will often encounter when dealing with apartment buildings and shared property in Victoria.
For a concise explanation of whether strata and body corporate mean the same thing, see our FAQ guide.
What is the difference between a body corporate and an owners corporation in Victoria?
There is no difference between a body corporate and an owners corporation. They are simply two different names for the same thing. The term “body corporate” is more commonly used in Queensland and Victoria, while the term “owners corporation” is more commonly used in New South Wales.
What is a body corporate?
The terms are used to describe the collective of owners in an apartment building. This means that the owners of the individual units in a strata scheme collectively own the common property of the building, such as the stairwells, elevators, roof, and gardens.
What does a body corporate cover?
A body corporate is responsible for managing and maintaining the common property within a strata-titled building. Its purpose is to make sure that shared areas are functional and well maintained for the benefit of all owners and residents.
In practice, a body corporate typically covers:
- Maintenance and upkeep of shared spaces such as gardens, hallways, lifts, roofs and driveways.
- Insurance for the building and common property.
- Financial management including preparing annual budgets, collecting levies and maintaining transparent financial records.
- Repairs and improvements to common property and shared facilities.
- By-law enforcement to help owners and residents follow community rules.
- Safety and compliance so the property meets all relevant building and fire regulations.
In many cases, an owners corporation will engage a professional OC manager to assist with these responsibilities and keep the property managed efficiently in line with legal requirements.
When you have the right strata manager, things should run more smoothly and not create additional issues or confusion.
That’s why it’s important to speak with a strata specialist who can help ensure your owners corporation is matched with a vetted, compatible manager who truly fits the needs of the building.
How ownership and management terms vary across Australian states
We hope the above sheds some light on the matter.The terminology used across the industry can be technical and difficult to interpret. Here’s a helpful table to help you understand the different terms and avoid confusion:
| Collective of owners’ in an apartment building | Paid professional engaged to manage building | Company that manages the building | |
| Victoria (since 2006) | Owners’ Corporation | Owners’ Corporation Manager | Owners’ Corporation Management Company |
| Victoria (pre 2006) | Body Corporate | Body Corporate Manager | Body Corporate Management Company |
| Queensland | Body Corporate | Body Corporate Manager | Body Corporate Management Company |
| New South Wales | Owners’ Corporation / Strata Scheme | Strata Manager | Strata Management Company |
