Rental Owners Urged: Secure Approval Before Time Runs Out
Short-term rental owners have been warned that time is running out to apply for their planning approval to continue operating.
The Cook Labor Government has mandated that all metropolitan councils require unhosted STRA operating more than 90 nights per year to have lodged a development application from 1 January 2026.
The Planning and Lands Minister previously wrote to all metropolitan local governments in September 2024, requiring them to update their planning schemes accordingly.
The vast majority of metropolitan councils have either completed or are progressing these amendments.
Regional local governments have been given greater flexibility to determine when planning approval is required for short-stay accommodation, in recognition of the importance of STRA in different regional economies.
The Cook Government’s reforms balance the need for long-term housing supply and tourism accommodation.
These planning changes are part of a suite of measures introduced by the Cook Government to regulate STRA and deliver more homes to the long-term rental market.
The government has also introduced a State-wide mandatory STRA Register.
This means for the first time it is clear how many STRA properties exist across the State, with about 11,600 registered.
Local governments can check and verify the compliance of all new STRA registrations within their jurisdictions through the register’s local government dashboard.
The State budget also extended the successful STRA Incentive Scheme, which offers $10,000 to property owners to convert short-stay properties to long-term rentals.
As stated by Planning and Lands Minister John Carey:
“From today, there are just over three months left for metropolitan short-stay owners to lodge a development application, if their property is unhosted and operates more than 90 nights.
“Failure to do so by 1 January will mean the STRA property can no longer operate.
“These amendments, along with the introduction of the STRA Register, support the Cook Government’s broader commitment to ensuring fair and consistent regulation of the STRA sector in Western Australia.
“Our reforms strike a balance between demand for long-term rentals and tourism accommodation.”
As stated by Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“The registration of Short-Term Rental Accommodation brings much-needed certainty for residents who can now easily see the presence and density of such properties in their neighbourhood, fostering transparency and accountability.
“With about 11,600 STRA registered across WA, local communities and authorities have a clearer insight into the sector.
“The Cook Government’s STRA reforms are delivering on the commitment to supporting a short-term rental industry that benefit communities and tourism across the State.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Short-term-rental-owners-warned-time-to-get-planning-approval-running-out-20250824