Overview
MRI Strata Master is enterprise strata management with merlo ai automation. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Sydney, NSW (MRI Software APAC), it serves Australian businesses with local data hosting and AU-based support.
Enterprise strata management with Merlo AI automation
AU Compliance Scores
BAS Lodgement3/5
STP Phase 20/5
Payday Super0/5
Modern Awards0/5
GST Handling4/5
Bank Feeds0/5
Modern Awards NoteNot applicable — Strata Master does not handle employee payroll or Modern Award interpretation.
Pricing (AUD inc. GST)
All prices below are in Australian dollars and include GST. Pricing verified as of 2026-03-20.
Custom Quote
Free
AUD inc GST
MRI Strata Master does not publish pricing. Access requires a direct sales enquiry (1300 657 700) for a customised quote based on portfolio size and modules required. Industry sources indicate a per-scheme pricing model. Expect a structured implementation project with onboarding, data migration, and training. UNVERIFIED: Exact pricing figures are not publicly available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- One of Australia's longest-established strata platforms — Rockend heritage since 1979, managing ~750,000 lots across AU and NZ
- Merlo AI integration automates up to 70% of routine admin including inbox management, AGM scheduling, and insurance renewals
- Robust trust accounting engine with decades of refinement for Australian strata regulations, including automated levy billing and staged debt recovery
- Strata Connect owner portal (v14) enables maintenance requests, levy viewing, document access, and direct messaging with strata managers
- StrataVote two-way integration for online meeting hosting, electronic voting, custom templates, and support for AGMs, CGMs, and secret ballots
- Smart Invoice extraction eliminates manual data entry with custom approval rules per building
- AU-based support team with extended chat hours (6:30am-8:30pm AEDT) and phone support from Sydney and Brisbane offices
- Backed by MRI Software's global PropTech investment — continuous development and cloud transition underway
Cons
- No public pricing — requires direct sales enquiry for a customised per-scheme quote, making cost comparison impossible
- Traditional desktop/server-based architecture still transitioning to cloud-first — not yet a fully cloud-native SaaS platform
- Data hosting location not publicly disclosed — no confirmed Australian data sovereignty guarantees
- Steep learning curve reported by users, particularly for new strata managers unfamiliar with the platform
- No longer an independent Australian company — acquired by US-based MRI Software in 2019, which may concern agencies preferring local ownership
- No verified Xero or MYOB integrations — agencies wanting to use external accounting tools have limited options
- No free trial available — requires structured implementation project with sales engagement before evaluating the software
Who Is MRI Strata Master Best For?
- Large Strata Agency
- Established Body Corporate Manager
- Agencies Wanting Ai Automation
- Multi State Strata Manager
MRI Strata Master may not be the best fit for:
- Small Strata Agency
- Startup Strata Manager
- Budget Conscious Agency
- Agencies Wanting Cloud Native Saas
MRI Strata Master Alternatives
If MRI Strata Master doesn’t quite fit your needs, consider these alternatives for Australian businesses:
- StrataMax — Australia's market-leading strata management software. Free plan available.
- Intellistrata — AI-enhanced cloud strata management with ISO 27001:2022 certification. Free plan available.
- Urbanise Strata — Cloud-based strata platform managing 600,000+ lots across 18 countries. Free plan available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does MRI Strata Master cost in Australia?
MRI Strata Master does not publish pricing online. You need to contact MRI Software's sales team (1300 657 700) for a customised quote based on your portfolio size and required modules. Industry sources indicate a per-scheme pricing model. Implementation typically involves a structured onboarding project with data migration and training. Training courses are available separately at $50 + GST per one-hour session via the Skilljar portal.
Is MRI Strata Master Australian-made?
The software was originally developed by Rockend, an Australian company founded in Sydney in 1979 by Tony Maple-Brown. In August 2019, US-based MRI Software acquired Rockend. While the product originated in Australia and retains its AU strata expertise, it is now owned and developed under the MRI Software global umbrella with APAC offices in Sydney and Brisbane.
Does Strata Master handle trust accounting?
Yes. Trust accounting is a core capability with decades of refinement for Australian strata regulations. Features include automated levy billing, staged debt recovery, quick journaling, bank reconciliations, full audit trails, and comprehensive financial reporting by scheme, owner, supplier, or agent.
What is Merlo AI and how does it work with Strata Master?
Merlo AI is an AI assistant fully integrated with Strata Master and Microsoft 365 that automates up to 70% of routine strata administration. It handles email triage and auto-responses, AGM scheduling and meeting creation, insurance renewal processing (90% of workflow automated), work order management, and data updates across owner, tenant, and lot records.
Where is MRI Strata Master data hosted?
Strata Master can be deployed on-premise on a Windows server or hosted in the cloud via providers such as Microsoft Azure. MRI Software is transitioning the platform to cloud-first architecture. However, the exact Australian data centre location is not publicly disclosed. Contact MRI Software directly (1300 657 700) for specific data residency and sovereignty requirements.
Does Strata Master integrate with Xero or MYOB?
Strata Master does not have verified direct integrations with Xero or MYOB. It uses its own trust accounting engine for strata financial management. The platform integrates with Merlo AI, StrataVote, fileSMART for document management, Bulk BPAY (Bankwest, CommBiz, NAB Connect), and Macquarie Direct Debit.