Can an absent owner be elected to the committee?

QLD

Committee & Governance

This article discusses whether you can elect an absent owner to committee under the Standard Module rules.

Can an owner not present at the meeting be elected as an ordinary member?

When there are not enough nominations for the ordinary committee at the AGM and the chair calls for nomination from the floor, can an owner who does not attend the meeting be elected as an ordinary member?

If someone isn’t at the meeting, they cannot be elected from the floor of the meeting.

Section 38(2) of the Standard Module (equivalent provisions of other Regulation Modules) provides that the person chairing the meeting ‘…must invite nominations at the meeting’. Therefore, it seems clear that if someone isn’t at the meeting, they cannot be elected from the floor of the meeting.

Updated Answer: Since the original post, we have reflected on our response – and had some feedback from a reader – and would like to clarify that section 38(4) of the Standard Module (equivalent provisions of other Regulation Modules) might also come into play here, to allow for those not physically present to also be nominated.

As always, each individual case will be dependent on its facts and this is not intended to be legal advice.

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Published: 7 Apr 2026

Last Updated: 7 Jul 2026

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Answer by

Chris Irons

Strata Solve

Chris is a strata unicorn: he is not a strata lawyer, manager or caretaker. He was Queensland’s Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management for over 5 years. That is the only role of its type in the world. Chris is also an owner in one strata scheme, and a tenant in another.

As Director of Strata Solve, Chris focuses on communications and strategic advice, rather than legal action, to solving strata problems. Strata Solve works with owners, committees, strata managers and caretakers to tailor practical solutions to stressful strata situations. Chris holds an Honours degree in Communications and is a nationally accredited mediator.

Chris is a regular contributor to LookUpStrata.