Every Owners Corporation (OC) holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) once a year. For many owners, it’s easy to let the invitation sit unopened, thinking that the meeting doesn’t directly involve you.
But it does. Here’s what the AGM does, and why showing up (or providing a proxy) is one of the most useful things you can do as an owner.
It’s where your levies get approved.
What’s happening: The AGM is where the annual budget is presented and approved. The budget determines your levy contributions for the coming year.
What it means for you: This is the best time to see, in detail, where your money is going – maintenance, insurance, administration costs, and any planned works. If levies are increasing, this is where you’ll hear why.
Why it’s worth attending: Once the budget is passed, it’s locked in for the year. If you have questions about costs or want to understand a levy increase, the AGM is your window to ask before it’s finalised, not after your fee notice arrives.
Take action:
When you receive the AGM Pack (at least 14 days before the meeting), read through the financials and note any questions you have. It’s best to send these to your OC Manager by email ahead of time, so you can get a full answer before the meeting. If you raise a question on the day, we may defer it or answer it in the minutes, to keep the meeting on track.
RELATED – OC Fees Frequently Asked Questions >
It’s where Committee members are elected.
What’s happening: Committee positions are voted on annually at the AGM.
What it means for you: The Committee makes the day-to-day decisions on your behalf — everything from building works and resident complaints to OC financials, insurance and operations, including instructing your OC Manager and Building Manager. Who sits on it directly shapes how your building is run.
Why it’s worth attending: Your vote here matters. If you want a say in who represents your interests for the next 12 months, the AGM is where that happens.
Take action:
If you want to be more directly involved, you can Nominate to be on your Committee ahead of your meeting. Our online form is simple to use, or a nomination form will be included in your AGM pack for you to send in.
RELATED – Understanding Committee Responsibility >
It’s where major works and building issues get raised.
What’s happening: Any planned maintenance, upcoming major works, or unresolved building issues are typically discussed and put to a vote.
What it means for you: These are often the decisions with the biggest financial impact (think facade repairs, lift upgrades, or building compliance works). They also tend to be the source of levy increases in future years.
Why it’s worth attending: If a major works project is coming up, this is your chance to ask questions, understand the timeline, and vote on how it proceeds – before costs are locked in and works begin.
RELATED – A simple guide to OC Resolutions >
You’ll get the full picture on important matters.
What’s happening: Your Committee, your OC Manager, and your Building Manager (if you have one) will typically be in attendance, each providing an update on their key activities. It’s often the only time owners can be in a room (or online) with all parties present at once.
What it means for you: Outside the AGM, most communication with your Owners Corporation happens through your OC Manager. The AGM gives you direct access to updates and answers from everyone involved, rather than relayed or summarised information.
Why it’s worth attending: A written notice can only tell you the outcome, not the discussion behind it. Attending the AGM means you get the full picture in real time and can clarify anything on the spot. That makes future updates on the same matter far easier to follow.
Take action:
If you have a specific question on an agenda item it’s best to send it by email in advance where possible. This lets your Committee, OC Manager and Building Manager give a full, considered answer, rather than an on-the-spot one, and helps keep the meeting on track. Questions raised without notice on the day may be deferred for this reason.
Your vote counts, even if you can’t attend in person.
What’s happening: Owners who can’t attend can vote by proxy, giving someone else the authority to vote on their behalf.
What it means for you: Decisions at the AGM are made by the owners who show up or vote. If you don’t attend and don’t lodge a proxy, decisions about your levies, your Committee, and your building get made without your input.
Why it’s worth attending (or voting): Even if you can’t make the meeting, submitting a proxy takes a few minutes and ensures your voice is still counted.
Take action:
Submit a proxy ahead of the AGM using our simple online form. You can appoint someone for the year, just for the meeting, or even instruct them how to vote on a particular matter.
Read your AGM pack before the meeting.
What’s happening: Ahead of the AGM, you’ll receive a notice by email or post. This includes the date of the meeting, the agenda, and a set of supporting documents — things like the proposed budget, reports from the Committee, OC Manager and Building Manager, and any major works proposals.
What it means for you: Everything you’ll be asked to discuss or vote on is set out in these documents before the meeting starts. This is your chance to raise questions ahead of time. If a question is relevant to all owners, we can address it at the meeting so everyone benefits. If it needs a more specific answer, we can give you that directly — so you can vote with confidence.
Why it’s worth doing: Arriving with a sense of what’s being proposed means you can be actively involved in decisions affecting your community, rather than trying to process new information on the spot. It’s the difference between voting with confidence and voting on the fly.
Take action:
In the My Property portal, you can change your contact preferences, so you always receive the AGM pack in your preferred format. If you’ve misplaced your copy, you can also find the AGM pack in the portal at any time.
In summary: the AGM is where your levies, your building’s future, and your building’s leadership are decided for the year ahead. Attending (or voting by proxy) is the simplest way to make sure those decisions reflect your interests too.