Heard about OccuMax® pricing?
You can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
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FIND OUT MOREYou can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
No single national definition. NSW regulates “short-term rental accommodation” for visitors; Victoria defines “short stay” for levy purposes as less than 28 consecutive nights; WA distinguishes hosted vs unhosted STRA. Other jurisdictions define visitor/short-term accommodation within their planning schemes.
Short-term letting is legal across Australia, but rules are set by each state and territory. There is no national register or night cap. NSW runs a mandatory STRA Register with a 180-night cap for unhosted stays in Greater Sydney and a special 60-day cap in Byron Shire. Victoria applies a 7.5% Short Stay Levy on stays under 28 nights from 1 January 2025. Western Australia requires all STRA to be on a state register and uses a 90-night “no-DA” allowance for unhosted stays in the Perth metro before development approval is needed. The ACT applies a 5% STRA levy. Other jurisdictions rely mainly on local planning rules. Keep smoke alarms compliant to the National Construction Code, follow your local fire-service guidance, and declare income to the ATO; most residential short-stays are input-taxed for GST unless you operate “commercial residential” premises.
State/council based definitions. Example: NSW STRA allows non-hosted entire homes with caps in some areas; other states differ. Check local planning rules.
Short-term letting is legal across Australia, but rules are set by each state and territory. There is no national register or night cap. NSW runs a mandatory STRA Register with a 180-night cap for unhosted stays in Greater Sydney and a special 60-day cap in Byron Shire. Victoria applies a 7.5% Short Stay Levy on stays under 28 nights from 1 January 2025. Western Australia requires all STRA to be on a state register and uses a 90-night “no-DA” allowance for unhosted stays in the Perth metro before development approval is needed. The ACT applies a 5% STRA levy. Other jurisdictions rely mainly on local planning rules. Keep smoke alarms compliant to the National Construction Code, follow your local fire-service guidance, and declare income to the ATO; most residential short-stays are input-taxed for GST unless you operate “commercial residential” premises.
Registration / Permit
No national STR register. NSW: mandatory STRA Register with fire-safety standards and Code of Conduct. WA: state-wide STRA registration from 1 Jan 2025; extra approval may be needed beyond 90 unhosted nights in Perth metro. Victoria: no state register but a Short Stay Levy applies; building strata rules may restrict use. ACT, QLD, SA, TAS, NT: no state register; requirements are through local planning schemes and bylaws.
Max Nights
None nationally. NSW sets 180 nights per year for unhosted STRA in Greater Sydney (hosted is year-round) and Byron Shire has a 60-day non-hosted cap. WA’s 90-night setting in Perth is an approval threshold, not a cap.
Planning / Zoning
State registrations (where required) are typically processed online within days; planning permits/consents vary by council and can take weeks to months depending on complexity and referrals.
Safety & Insurance
Install and maintain smoke alarms to the National Construction Code (AS 3786) locations and interconnection requirements; keep escape paths clear, provide basic emergency information and retain maintenance/testing records. Follow any stricter state rules (for example Queensland’s 2027 deadline for interconnected photoelectric alarms in all homes).
Tax
Declare profits to ATO. GST generally doesn’t apply to residential rent (unless commercial-residential). No statewide tourist levy as of now; local council rates/charges apply.
Declare profits to ATO. GST generally doesn’t apply to residential rent (unless commercial-residential). No statewide tourist levy as of now; local council rates/charges apply.
Install and maintain smoke alarms to the National Construction Code (AS 3786) locations and interconnection requirements; keep escape paths clear, provide basic emergency information and retain maintenance/testing records. Follow any stricter state rules (for example Queensland’s 2027 deadline for interconnected photoelectric alarms in all homes).
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NSW: all STRA must be on the state Register; unhosted stays are capped at 180 nights in Greater Sydney and 60 days in most of Byron Shire. Victoria: 7.5% Short Stay Levy on stays under 28 nights from 1 January 2025; strata/owners corporations can restrict short-stays in buildings. WA: mandatory state register and a 90-night Perth metro allowance before development approval is required for unhosted stays. ACT: 5% STRA levy applies to stays up to 28 nights. Other jurisdictions (QLD, SA, TAS, NT) rely mainly on local planning schemes and strata/estate rules.
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WA is continuing the STRA reform rollout with registration and associated planning controls. NSW periodically updates STRA guidance and Byron Shire maps. Victoria and the ACT may refine levy guidance after initial implementation. Councils across Australia continue to review plan rules for visitor accommodation.
State/council based definitions. Example: NSW STRA allows non-hosted entire homes with caps in some areas; other states differ. Check local planning rules.
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with
State planning/tourism departments and local councils; NSW Department of Planning (STRA); WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage; State Revenue Office Victoria; ACT Revenue Office; ATO (tax); state/territory fire services.
your local authority.
