New planning reforms across WA this year will mean all Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) such as an Airbnb or a ‘Stayz’ will need to be registered on the the STRA Register.

Registration opens mid-2024. All STRA properties will have until 1 January 2025 to be registered. Fines may apply after this date.

You must register your STRA property regardless of whether:

• guests stay in your property with you (hosted) or stay by themselves (un-hosted)
• the property requires development approval
• the property is currently exempt from planning approval (via a development application).

Existing planning approvals for STRA will remain valid. However, If you operate an un-hosted STRA and do not have planning approval, you need to let the Town know as soon as possible. A property can be operated as a short-term rental year-round, provided it has obtained the required planning approvals and is registered.

These new regulations are all part of the WA Government’s new Short Term Rental Accommodation Bill 2024, which aims to better manage the land use impacts of tourism and STRA activities — particularly in residential areas.

Questions? Click here or call the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage on 6551 8002 or email tourism@dplh.wa.gov.au