In response to the 2019 Parliamentary inquiry Levelling the Playing Field: Managing the impact of the rapid increase of short-term rentals in Western Australia, the State Government has introduced initiatives to deliver better regulation of the short-term rental accommodation sector, including the:
- release of a planning position statement for tourism and short term rental accommodation; and
- launch of a registration scheme for short-term rental accommodation providers.
The position statement and registration scheme will provide for improved regulation, support residents living in tourist communities, and help create greater uniformity in how the short-term rental accommodation sector is managed throughout Western Australia.
Following consultation in 2021 and 2022, the Western Australian Planning Commission has now released its final Position Statement: Planning for Tourism and Short-Term Rental Accommodation (the Position Statement), which includes recommendations to better regulate short-term rental accommodation as a land use in the state planning system. The Position Statement is complemented by Planning for Tourism and Short-Term Rental Accommodation Guidelines.
LPS Regulations Amendments
To support implementation of the Position Statement, amendments to the Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015 were introduced in September 2024 including the following changes:
- New and revised definitions to ensure short-term rental accommodation is considered a dedicated land use class in planning schemes;
- A state-wide exemption for ‘hosted’ short-term rental accommodation; and
- A 90-night (cumulative) exemption for ‘un-hosted’ short-term rental accommodation within the Perth metropolitan area.
Relevant documents
Short Term Rental Accommodation Website
For further information on the short-term rental accommodation regulation and initiatives, including the Registration Scheme and government incentive scheme, please visit the State Government’s dedicated website, which includes additional resources explaining the planning regulation changes along with next steps.
Visit the Short Term Rental Accommodation website
For any questions related to the Position Statement or changes to the planning system, please email tourism@dplh.wa.gov.au.
Queries about the STRA Register or the incentive scheme should be directed to Consumer Protection at stra.enquiries@dmirs.wa.gov.au.
Contact
For further information on the following matters, please contact the relevant agency as per below:
STRA Register and Incentive Scheme:
DMIRS (Consumer Protection)
- stra.enquiries@dmirs.wa.gov.au
- 1300 304 054
Tourism and STRA Position Statement & Guidelines:
DPLH - Tourism Policy Team
- tourism@dplh.wa.gov.au
- 6551 8002
Local Planning Strategies, Schemes and Policies:
DPLH - Land Use Planning Team
- info@dplh.wa.gov.au
- 6551 8002
