Is Airbnb legal in Perth?

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Yes — if you follow WA’s STRA rules. WA formally defines hosted (you live on-site) and unhosted (entire home) STRA, with planning settings and a state register that applies to both.

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Local terminology to mirror

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• STRA = Short-Term Rental Accommodation (WA)
• Hosted vs Unhosted STRA
• DA = Development Approval (planning consent)

What changed in 2024/2025?

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• State STRA Register opened 1 Jul 2024; mandatory from 1 Jan 2025. Initial fee $250; annual renewal $100. You must be registered before advertising or taking bookings.
• Perth Metro “90-night” DA trigger for unhosted STRA. Unhosted STRA is DA-exempt up to 90 non-consecutive nights in any 12 months starting from your registration date; >90 needs DA. Hosted STRA is DA-exempt statewide.
• Display your registration number on ads. From 1 Jan 2025, the STRA number must be conspicuously displayed in all advertisements/listings.
• Bookings data reporting. Bookings via major platforms are uploaded automatically; direct bookings (incl. changes/cancellations) must be entered by the 5th of the following month.
• Local schemes aligning by 1 Jan 2026. LGAs are updating schemes/policies through 2025 so they can issue approvals by 1 Jan 2026. Check your LGA’s page (e.g., City of Perth engagement).

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Legal note: The STRA Act 2024 (WA) makes it an offence to enter into, or seek to enter into, STRA arrangements without registration.

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Do you need Development Approval (DA)?

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Hosted STRA (you live on-site)

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DA-exempt statewide. You still must register and meet safety rules, but hosted STRA doesn’t need planning approval under the state reforms.

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Unhosted STRA – Perth Metropolitan area

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• ≤90 nights (non-consecutive) in 12 months from registration date: No DA.
• >90 nights: DA required from your local government before exceeding the threshold.

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Regional WA (incl. Peel)

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Outside the Perth Metro, local governments set unhosted STRA planning controls. Many LGAs are updating schemes now to meet the 1 Jan 2026 deadline — check your council.

Costs & taxes

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• STRA registration fees: $250 initial; $100 annual renewal.
• DA fees: set by each local government (vary by LGA and proposal). Check your council’s schedule; some (e.g., City of Perth) are finalising local policy alignment.
• Tourism/bed levy: No WA state short-stay levy at this time — the reforms target registration + planning rather than a levy. (If this changes, it will appear on wa.gov.au or your council site.)
• Income tax (ATO): STRA income is assessable. Under the Sharing Economy Reporting Regime (SERR), platforms report host transactions twice yearly (periods Jul–Dec and Jan–Jun; reports due 31 Jan and 31 Jul). Keep clean records and expect ATO data-matching.

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Safety & building rules (WA)

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• Smoke alarms: Before rent/hire/STRA, dwellings must have mains-powered alarms, <10 years old, compliant with WA building laws, installed on every level; landlords must maintain them. DFES reiterates mains power and <10-year requirement.
• RCDs (safety switches): WA requires at least two RCDs protecting power & lighting circuits; more may be needed depending on circuits.
• Pools/spas: Any private pool/spa/portable pool with >30 cm water depth must have a compliant safety barrier.
• Strata & leases: Even when registered (and DA-exempt), your strata by-laws or lease may restrict STRA; confirm permissions in writing (Landgate guidance).

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Always check your local council for site-specific conditions (parking, occupancy, management plans).

How to stay compliant (step-by-step)

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1. Check strata/lease rules — verify your scheme or lease permits STRA. Keep written approval if required.
2. Register your property — create an account on the WA STRA Register; pay $250 (then $100 yearly).
3. Display your STRA number — add it conspicuously to every ad/listing (Airbnb, Stayz, Booking, website).
4. Plan your nights (Perth Metro, unhosted) — decide if you’ll operate ≤90 nights (no DA) or apply for DA to go >90 in any 12 months from registration. Hosted STRA is DA-exempt.
5. Meet WA safety rules — fit mains-powered smoke alarms (<10 yrs) and two RCDs; ensure any pool/spa has a compliant barrier. Keep maintenance records.
6. Report direct bookings monthly — enter non-platform bookings (plus changes/cancellations) by the 5th of the following month.
7. Monitor council alignment — LGAs are updating schemes through 2025 for 1 Jan 2026. Track your LGA or the City of Perth engagement page.‍
8. Stay tax-compliant — declare income; expect SERR data-matching (biannual platform reports).

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Need a done-for-you route? Our local team can handle set-up, compliance and guest ops: Airbnb Management in Perth — and bookmark the live Airbnb-Rules — Perth page.

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FAQs

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1) Is there a citywide 90-night “cap” in Perth?
Not a cap — a DA trigger in the Perth Metropolitan area for unhosted STRA. ≤90 nights in a 12-month period (from registration date) is DA-exempt; >90 requires DA. Hosted STRA is DA-exempt statewide.

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2) Do I have to show my reg number on Airbnb?
Yes. From 1 Jan 2025, your STRA registration number must be conspicuously displayed on all ads/listings.

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3) Do I need to upload bookings?
Platform bookings are uploaded automatically; direct bookings must be entered by the 5th of the following month.

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4) Do I need DA if I’m hosting a spare room?
No — Hosted STRA is DA-exempt statewide (registration still required).

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5) Is there a WA tourist/bed tax?
No state levy at this time; the reforms focus on registration + planning. Check your LGA for any local rating policies.

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6) What safety items are mandatory?
Mains-powered smoke alarms (working, <10 years) and at least two RCDs; plus compliant pool/spa barriers (>30 cm water depth).

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7) Are councils finished updating their schemes?
Updates are underway through 2025 so LGAs can issue approvals by 1 Jan 2026. Check your council’s STRA page (e.g., City of Perth engagement).‍

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Not Advice: This guide highlights key points for short-term letting and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change — always check the relevant authority’s website for your property and seek professional advice if unsure.