Is Airbnb Legal in Perth? (STRA Rules Explained)
Is Airbnb Legal in Perth?
Yes — Airbnb is legal in Perth, but it must comply with Western Australia’s Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) regulations.
Over the past few years, the WA Government has introduced clearer rules around short-stay accommodation to balance tourism with residential housing concerns. If you plan to rent your home on Airbnb or another short-stay platform, there are registration and approval requirements you must meet.
This guide explains how Airbnb works legally in Perth and what property owners need to know before hosting.
What is STRA?
STRA stands for Short-Term Rental Accommodation, which refers to renting a property to guests for less than three months at a time.
Common STRA platforms include:
Airbnb
Stayz
VRBO
In Western Australia, these properties must be registered under the state STRA register.
STRA Registration in Western Australia
Since 2024, most short-stay properties in WA must be registered with the state STRA register.
Registration ensures the government can monitor short-stay accommodation across the state.
Hosts must provide:
Property address
Ownership details
Whether the property is hosted or unhosted
Maximum guest capacity
Once approved, hosts receive a STRA registration number, which must be displayed on listing platforms such as Airbnb.
Hosted vs Unhosted STRA
There are two types of short-stay accommodation in Perth.
Hosted STRA
Hosted accommodation means the host lives at the property while guests stay there.
For example:
Renting a spare bedroom
Renting a granny flat while living on site
These properties generally face fewer restrictions.
Unhosted STRA
Unhosted accommodation refers to entire homes rented to guests when the owner is not present.
Examples include:
Investment properties
Holiday homes
Entire homes listed on Airbnb
Unhosted STRA may require local council planning approval, often called Change of Use or Development Approval (DA).
Local Council Rules in Perth
Each Perth council may have slightly different requirements for STRA properties.
Common requirements include:
Development approval for unhosted STRA
Parking requirements
Guest number limits
Noise management expectations
For example, councils such as City of Cockburn, City of Stirling, and City of Perth all have different planning approaches.
Because of this, many hosts seek professional assistance to navigate approvals and compliance.
Do You Need Council Approval for Airbnb?
It depends on the property type.
You may need approval if:
The property is unhosted
It operates full-time as short-stay accommodation
The council zoning requires approval
If approval is required, the process usually involves:
Submitting a development application
Providing site plans and operational details
Waiting for council assessment
Approval timelines can range from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the council.
Other Requirements for Airbnb in Perth
Aside from STRA registration and council approvals, hosts should also ensure the property meets basic guest safety standards.
Typical expectations include:
Smoke alarms
Clear emergency exits
Safe electrical appliances
Clean and well-maintained property condition
Professional property management services often help hosts ensure their properties meet these expectations before launching.
Should You Self-Manage or Use a Co-Host?
While many hosts start by managing their Airbnb themselves, it can quickly become time-consuming.
Tasks include:
Guest messaging
Cleaning coordination
Pricing optimisation
Maintenance management
Review management
This is why many Perth hosts choose to work with a local Airbnb co-host or management service.
Final Thoughts
Airbnb is legal in Perth, but hosts must ensure their property complies with:
WA STRA registration
Local council planning requirements
Guest safety and operational standards
When done correctly, short-stay accommodation can be a high-performing property strategy for Perth homeowners.
If you’re considering turning your property into a short-stay rental, understanding the rules is the first step toward launching successfully.
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