Low-rise annual
$3,000–$5,000
Mid-rise annual
$5,000–$8,000
High-rise annual
$8,000–$12,000+
% of property value
0.3%–1.2%
Average strata fees in Sydney — at a glance
Typical strata fees in Sydney depend heavily on the size and type of building.
| Building Type | Annual Strata Fees | Quarterly Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Small low-rise building | $3,000 – $5,000 | $750 – $1,250 |
| Mid-rise apartment building | $5,000 – $8,000 | $1,250 – $2,000 |
| High-rise apartment building | $8,000 – $12,000+ | $2,000 – $3,000+ |
These levies typically fund:
- Building insurance
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Strata management
- Electricity for common areas
- Long-term repair funds (capital works)
Strata fees in Sydney by suburb
Strata fees vary significantly across Sydney depending on the age of buildings, number of high-rise developments, and available amenities.
Inner-city suburbs with large apartment towers often have higher strata costs due to lifts, concierge services, and complex infrastructure. Suburban areas with smaller apartment blocks generally have lower levies.
Below are typical annual strata fee ranges across popular Sydney apartment suburbs.
Typical annual strata fees by suburb
| Region | Suburb | Typical Annual Strata Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Inner City | Sydney CBD | $7,000 – $12,000 |
| Inner City | Zetland / Green Square | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Inner City | Waterloo | $6,000 – $9,500 |
| Inner City | Mascot | $5,500 – $9,000 |
| Eastern Suburbs | Bondi | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| North Shore | Chatswood | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| Inner West | Burwood | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| Inner West | Ryde | $4,500 – $7,500 |
| South Sydney | Hurstville | $4,500 – $7,500 |
| South-West Sydney | Bankstown | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Western Sydney | Parramatta | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| Western Sydney | Liverpool | $4,000 – $6,500 |
| Western Sydney | Blacktown | $3,500 – $6,000 |
Ranges represent typical fees across all building types in each suburb. High-rise buildings with premium amenities can significantly exceed the upper end.
Newer apartment towers — particularly in Zetland, Green Square, Mascot, and Parramatta — often sit at the upper end of these ranges due to modern facilities such as gyms, rooftop gardens, and shared recreation areas.
Older low-rise apartment buildings in suburbs such as Bankstown or Blacktown may have lower strata levies because they typically have fewer shared facilities.
Average strata fees by building type in Sydney
The type and height of the building plays the biggest role in determining strata costs in Sydney.
Low-rise apartment buildings
Low-rise buildings usually have 1–3 floors and limited shared facilities. They are common in Sydney's middle-ring and outer suburbs.
For a small building with 10–20 apartments, typical annual costs often result in $3,000–$5,000 per year per apartment.
Typical annual building costs — low-rise
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Cleaning and maintenance | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Insurance | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Utilities | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Strata management | $3,000 – $6,000 |
Mid-rise apartment buildings
Mid-rise buildings with 4–9 floors often include lifts and shared parking areas. They are the most common building type in Sydney's inner and middle suburbs.
Owners in these buildings typically pay $5,000–$8,000 per year in strata levies.
Typical annual building costs — mid-rise
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Cleaning and maintenance | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Insurance | $30,000 – $90,000 |
| Utilities | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Strata management | $6,000 – $12,000 |
High-rise apartment buildings
Sydney has a large number of high-rise residential towers, particularly in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, and Olympic Park. These buildings require lifts, mechanical systems, fire safety equipment, and shared facilities.
Because of these costs, strata fees in high-rise buildings commonly reach $8,000–$12,000+ per year.
Typical annual building costs — high-rise
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Insurance | $80,000 – $250,000+ |
| Lift maintenance | $30,000 – $100,000 |
| Cleaning / concierge | $80,000 – $200,000 |
| Utilities | $40,000 – $120,000 |
Indicative totals for a large high-rise building with 100+ lots and full amenities.
Why strata fees are high in Sydney
Insurance costs
Insurance premiums for apartment buildings in Sydney are significantly higher than other Australian cities due to elevated property values and stricter replacement value requirements. Large buildings may pay $100,000 or more per year in building insurance alone — a cost that flows directly through to strata levies.
High-rise apartment developments
Sydney has more high-rise residential buildings than most Australian cities, particularly in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, North Sydney, and Olympic Park. These buildings require lifts, complex mechanical systems, and extensive maintenance — all of which add to operating costs.
Amenities and shared facilities
Many newer Sydney apartment developments include swimming pools, gyms, rooftop gardens, and concierge services. Each shared facility adds ongoing operational and maintenance costs that increase strata levies for all owners.
Building age and maintenance
Older apartment buildings may require higher contributions to the capital works fund to cover future repairs such as waterproofing, roof replacement, or façade maintenance. This increases the capital works component of strata levies for owners in those buildings.
Strata fees as a percentage of Sydney property values
Across Sydney, strata fees typically represent about 0.3% to 1.2% of a property's value per year. This rule of thumb helps buyers estimate the total cost of apartment ownership when comparing properties.
Typical fees by property value
| Property Value | Typical Annual Strata Fees |
|---|---|
| $700,000 apartment | $2,100 – $8,400 |
| $900,000 apartment | $2,700 – $10,800 |
| $1,200,000 apartment | $3,600 – $14,400 |
Ranges are approximate. Actual fees depend on building type, location, and the individual strata scheme's budget.
On top of ongoing strata levies, buyers should budget for stamp duty — one of the largest upfront costs. Sydney property attracts some of the highest transfer duty in Australia. Use the NSW stamp duty calculator to estimate what you'd pay at your purchase price.
Special levies in Sydney apartment buildings
Even well-managed buildings may occasionally issue special levies — one-off payments required when existing strata funds are not enough to cover a major repair or unexpected expense.
Common examples in Sydney include building defect repairs, waterproofing issues, façade repairs, and structural remediation.
Typical special levy costs per apartment
| Project | Typical Cost per Apartment |
|---|---|
| Waterproofing repairs | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Façade repairs | $10,000 – $40,000 |
| Cladding remediation | $20,000 – $100,000+ |
Cladding remediation costs
Review strata reports before purchasing
Because of this risk, apartment buyers in Sydney should always review the strata report and capital works plan before purchasing.
Want to estimate strata fees for a Sydney apartment?
Strata levies vary widely between buildings depending on location, size, and amenities. Our calculator estimates typical strata costs based on property type, building age, and shared facilities.
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A breakdown of what your strata levies pay for — admin fund, capital works fund, common area maintenance, insurance, and more.
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