ASTRA supports clear, consistent, and evidence-based regulation that targets genuine impacts without undermining the vital economic and social contribution of STRA. We advocate for policy that addresses community concerns by driving professional standards, responsible hosting, and industry education.
ASTRA's advocacy team actively monitors key regulatory and policy developments across priority jurisdictions and engages with all levels of government on areas that impact the short term rental industry.
ASTRA actively advocates for regulation that provides certainty for home owners, businesses and communities.
Consistency and clarity:
Regulatory frameworks that provide certainty for operators, owners and regulators while reducing unnecessary complexity and compliance costs.
Proportionality and evidence:
Policy informed by data and research, proportionate to identified problems.
Behavioural accountability:
Targeting poor conduct and amenity impacts, not penalising compliant operators.
Constructive engagement:
Direct and collaborative relationships with government and policymakers.
Member-centred advocacy:
Our positions are informed by the voices, experience and concerns of our members.
ASTRA's advocacy team actively monitors key regulatory and policy developments across priority jurisdictions and engages with all levels of government on areas that impact the short term rental industry.
Centralised, state-wide registration systems with mandatory platform data sharing to enable evidence-based policy decisions.
Codes of Conduct with clear rules and graduated enforcement, applied to all industry participants
Modest, well-designed visitor levies that directly fund housing initiatives and infrastructure
Periodic, transparent review of policy interventions including levies and planning settings, based on real data
ASTRA's advocacy team actively monitors key regulatory and policy developments across priority jurisdictions and engages with all levels of government on areas that impact the short term rental industry.
A patchwork of conflicting council-by-council rules: Inconsistent local restrictions, caps, and differential rates that create an unworkable maze across municipal borders and undermine regional economies.
Duplicative local regulatory schemes: Local permits, restrictions and differential rates layered on top of state settings, adding unnecessary complexity and cost for homeowners
Blanket strata-level prohibitions: Restricting the lawful use of properties based on building type, rather than targeting demonstrated amenity or behavioural impacts.
ASTRA actively engages with state, local and national governments on STRA reforms spanning
State and local planning controls
Local government rating measures
Australian state government and New Zealand national levy proposals
Council local laws
Federal and national taxation settings
Jurisdiction
Item
Proposed Policy
ASTRA Action
Last Updated
Next Step
City of Sydney, NSW
City of Sydney non-primary residence STRA restrictions
Council's CEO has been instructed to provide advice on the feasibility of banning non-primary residence STRA via planning rules. Awaiting report to Council.
ASTRA wrote to the City of Sydney, as well as the State governments. ASTRA recently met with Council staff to advocate for the industry and is engaging with businesses in Sydney to continue educating on the role of STRA in Sydney's visitor economy, supporting local jobs and flexible accommodation infrastructure.
5 August 2026
City of Sydney: Council's CEO has been instructed to provide advice on the feasibility of banning non-primary residence STRA via planning rules. Awaiting report to Council.
Victoria
Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) options paper
Draft planning options giving councils the power to regulate STRA in specified locations
In June 2026, ASTRA met with DTP and lodged a written submission opposing the proposal at this time. Recommended a statewide registration scheme with data sharing as the priority first step, and raised concerns about layering new controls on top of the existing 7.5% short stay levy before the impacts of the levy have been formally evaluated.
5 August 2026
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Tasmania
Proposed Short Stay Levy
Tasmania: Proposed short stay levy is progressing through the upper house.
ASTRA advocated for a moderated 2–3% rate, exemption for primary residences, delayed implementation and a formal review. Secured a primary residence exemption, delayed commencement and platform-only application in the final Bill.
5 August 2026
Tasmania: Proposed short stay levy is progressing through the upper house
Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart: Proposed Hobart Visitor Accommodation Specific Area Plan
Hobart: It's a ''proposed Hobart Visitor Accommodation Specific Area Plan
ASTRA prepared a representation opposing broad restrictions that are inconsistent with the statewide planning settings; requesting stronger evidence; targeted compliance measures; and recognition of STRA's role in the broader visitor economy.
5 August 2026
Hobart: ''Awaiting outcome of HCC formal referral to the Tasmanian Planning Commission''
In May 2026, Council withdrew its proposed Local Law and permit scheme.
After consultation the Tasmanian Government introduced a primary residence exemption and a delayed implementation timeline, with advocacy ongoing.
ASTRA provided evidence that contributed to a report delivering positive outcomes for the sector (August 2025)
Presented independent JWS Research report findings (Member and community response to the Byron Shire short term rental caps) on the impacts of short term rental caps in Byron Shire directly to NSW Ministers and MPs (March 2025)
ASTRA works actively and constructively with policy makers at every level of government across Australia and New Zealand, from local councils through to state departments, parliamentary committees and ministers. As the peak body for the short term rental accommodation industry, we bring evidence, member data and practical operational insight to the table so that regulation is proportionate, workable and grounded in fact.
Our submissions consistently advocate for state-led registration, enforceable codes of conduct and clear planning definitions, while opposing blanket caps and fragmented local requirements that fall hardest on the mum-and-dad owners who make up the majority of our membership. The register below sets out the formal submissions and public positions ASTRA has prepared to date.
State
Proposed Policy / Regulation
Date Prepared
ASTRA Position Summary
ASTRA Submission
TAS
Modernising the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (June 2026)
June 2026
Supports stronger tenant protections while maintaining a clear legislative distinction between long-term tenancies and short-stay or temporary accommodation, noting Tasmania already has the Short Stay Accommodation Act 2019. Cautions that reforms should not erode owner confidence or rental supply.
Wellington City Council rating proposal: differential rating of short-term rental accommodation (2026)
May 2026
ASTRA disputes that STRA is a primary driver of Wellington's housing affordability challenges, citing Infometrics analysis attributing price pressures to supply, population growth and interest rates. Supports the continued permitted activity status of residential visitor accommodation under the Wellington District Plan, and argues differential rating is a fiscal tool rather than a housing solution.
Supports a national STRA registration scheme and a national visitor levy.
Short Stay Levy Bill 2025, Department of Treasury and Finance (February 2026)
25 February 2026
ASTRA recommended a moderated levy rate of 2 to 3 per cent rather than the proposed 5 per cent, noting the effective burden is higher once GST and platform commissions are compounded. Seeks exclusion of hosted accommodation and principal places of residence; carve-outs for workforce, medical, relocation and emergency stays; legislative clarity on booking platforms; a delayed implementation date; and a formal post-implementation review within 18 to 24 months.
Brisbane City Council Short Stay Accommodation Local Law 2025 and Short Stay Accommodation Rule (February 2026)
16 February 2026
Supports the 2024 Taskforce recommendations for a statewide framework, state-based registration, platform data sharing and an enforceable code of conduct. Objects to the scale of proposed penalties as disproportionate for administrative breaches, questions the 60-minute complaint acknowledgement window and three-strike revocation threshold. Warns against duplicative regulation, opposing the interaction with Brisbane City Plan Development Approval requirements and zoning triggers that create a two-tier system for residential properties.
Select Committee on the Short Stay Accommodation Sector (May 2025)
May 2025
Rejects STRA as a material driver of housing shortage, at approximately 1 per cent of housing stock. Supports a statewide regulatory tripod of planning laws, property registration and an enforceable code of conduct, plus a modest levy of 2 to 3 per cent. Opposes day caps as inefficient and difficult to enforce.
Opposes the 60-day night cap and zone-based restrictions. Recommends licence limits as a percentage of dwelling stock, preservation of existing use rights, improved operator governance, alignment to a state register, and replacement of double rates with a 2 per cent statewide visitor accommodation levy.
Residential Short Stay Accommodation Discussion Paper (March 2024)
March 2024
Rejects targeted STRA levies in favour of an all-provider accommodation measure hypothecated to tourism and social housing. Proposes capping new investment-only listings as a percentage of total housing stock with existing operators grandfathered, establishing a Ministerial Advisory Council and operator licensing scheme, and reviewing the IPC report due to concerns regarding data misinterpretation.
Short-Term Rental Accommodation Bill 2023 Consultation Draft and proposed planning reforms, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (December 2023)
December 2023
Objects to STRA being characterised and regulated as commercial property and to the imposition of a development approval process, seeking the exemption threshold lifted from 90 to 270 nights if a process proceeds. Supports a code of conduct introduced alongside mandatory registration, opposes a publicly available heat map on privacy and safety grounds, seeks exemption categories for emergency and crisis accommodation, and calls for lower, proportionate penalties.
Strongly objects to the proposed 7.5 per cent levy as disproportionate and likely to be passed on to guests. Supports compulsory statewide registration and a formal code of conduct, exclusion of cleaning and card fees, annual lodgement, and exemptions for disaster and domestic violence accommodation.
