Western Australia introduced a new statewide framework for short-term rental accommodation in 2024. If you're an Airbnb owner in WA, here's what you need to know and what happens if you don't act.
The reforms are not just for new Airbnb listings. Every existing short-term rental in WA is subject to these requirements — including properties that have been operating for years without any formal approval. The state register gives councils a clear view of who is operating and at what volume.
The register already has around 11,600 properties listed, giving councils and the community a clear picture of the short-term rental market for the first time. Local governments can check the register directly — making it straightforward for a council to see which properties in their area are operating, how many nights they're booking, and whether they hold the required development approval.
The register tracks bookings and notifies owners at 80 and 90 nights as a reminder they are approaching or have reached the threshold requiring development approval.
The consequences differ depending on which requirement you've failed to meet.
Operating a short-term rental without registration on the state register is an offence under the Planning and Development Act 2005. Penalties can be significant. From 1 January 2026, unregistered properties will also be blocked from advertising or taking bookings on platforms like Airbnb and Stayz.
If you're operating an unhosted property in the Perth metropolitan area for more than 90 nights per year without development approval from your local council, you're in breach of the Planning and Development Act. The council can issue a compliance notice requiring you to cease operating, and may commence enforcement action. The register gives councils the data to identify exactly who this applies to.
If you're found to be operating without the required development approval, the council can refer your property for de-registration from the state register. De-registration means Airbnb and other platforms cannot legally list your property.
Several councils — including the City of Busselton — apply a higher council application fee for retrospective applications where a property has been operating without approval. Applying before you operate is always cheaper than applying after the fact.
Registration is mandatory for all WA short-term rentals since 1 January 2025. Register at straregister.demirs.wa.gov.au — $250 initial fee, $100 annual renewal.
If your property is unhosted and you rent it for more than 90 nights per year in the Perth metropolitan area, you need development approval from your local council. Outside the metro area, check with your council directly — some (including Busselton and Augusta Margaret River) require approval regardless of night count.
If you need a development application, lodge it as soon as possible. Assessment typically takes 60–90 days. If you're not lodged well before January 2026, you risk not having approval in place by the time the advertising and booking restrictions come into force.
The WA Government is offering a $10,000 payment to owners who convert their short-term rental into a long-term lease. If you were already considering leaving the short-term market, this may be worth looking into before the scheme closes.
If your property is outside the Perth metropolitan area — for example in Busselton, Margaret River, Esperance, or Albany — the 90-night exemption may not apply. Some councils in regional WA have their own approval requirements that apply regardless of how many nights per year you operate. Check with your local council or browse our council guides to see what applies to you.
Next step
Urban Approval Group handles the whole process — management plan, application lodgement with your council, and follow-up through to approval. We know what each council needs and we do this so you don't have to.
$300 flat fee + council application fee. Check your council's requirements on our council pages.
Information on this page is based on the WA State Government's published STRA reform materials and is updated as policy changes. Always confirm current requirements directly with the short-term rental register and your local council. View the WA Government's official short-term rental reforms page →
Urban Approval Group