Ordinary vs Special Resolution in Strata — What is the Difference?

An ordinary resolution is the most common type used in strata meetings. In simple terms, it passes if more votes are cast in favour than against.

No supermajority. No special conditions. Just a straightforward majority of votes counted.

Typical examples include:

Under the NSW legislation, an ordinary resolution is defined as a motion passed by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting. You can see the formal definition in the NSW Government legislation here:

https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050#sec.5

Most other states follow a similar approach, even if the wording differs slightly.

Simple. But not always low-risk — particularly when large expenditures are involved.

Special resolution — when the stakes are higher

A special resolution raises the bar.

In most cases, it requires at least 75% of the votes (by value or entitlement, depending on the state) to be in favour. In New South Wales, the test is slightly different: a motion passes if no more than 25% of the unit entitlements voting are cast against it.

That distinction matters. It’s not just about reaching 75% “for” — it’s about limiting opposition.

Special resolutions are typically required for decisions that materially affect owners’ rights or the scheme itself, such as:

You can review the NSW definition and thresholds here:

https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050#sec.5

These are not decisions you want to get wrong. If the threshold isn’t met exactly, the motion fails — even if a clear majority supported it.

Resolution without dissent — zero opposition allowed

This is where things tighten further.

A resolution without dissent means exactly that: no votes against the motion. Not one.

Abstentions don’t count as dissent, but any vote against will defeat the motion.

This type of resolution is usually reserved for situations where unanimity (in practice) is considered necessary, such as:

The strict nature of this threshold makes meeting management critical. Even a single misplaced vote — or an incorrectly recorded proxy — can invalidate the outcome.

Unanimous resolution — the highest threshold

Unanimous resolutions are rare, but they do come up.

Unlike a resolution without dissent, a unanimous resolution typically requires every eligible voter to vote in favour, not just an absence of opposition.

That means:

These are usually required for fundamental changes, such as:

Because the bar is so high, these resolutions often involve detailed preparation well before the meeting.

State-by-state differences matter more than people think

While the broad concepts are consistent across Australia, the detail varies — sometimes in ways that catch people off guard.

For example:

If you’re managing schemes across multiple states — or even just advising owners — it’s worth checking the exact legislative test each time.

Same terminology. Different mechanics.

Where things commonly go wrong

Most issues I see aren’t about misunderstanding the concept — they’re about execution.

A few recurring problems:

These aren’t minor technicalities. They can invalidate resolutions, delay projects, and in some cases lead to disputes or tribunal action.

How Vero Voting helps keep this clean

This is exactly where structured voting processes make a difference.

At Vero Voting, the focus isn’t just on collecting votes — it’s on ensuring the correct resolution type is applied and calculated properly.

That includes:

It removes a lot of the manual risk. And in strata, that risk is real.

Final word

Resolution types aren’t just technical labels — they define whether a decision stands up or falls over.

If you’re unsure which threshold applies, or you want confidence that your next meeting will run cleanly, it’s worth getting proper support in place.

Feel free to get in touch with Vero Voting if you’d like a hand navigating it.