The term used in Australian regulation to describe residential properties rented to guests for short stays, typically under 28 to 90 days depending on the state, through platforms like Airbnb, Stayz, and Booking.com. STRA can be hosted, where the owner lives on the property during the guest's stay, or unhosted, where the guest has exclusive use of the entire dwelling. Regulation varies significantly by state: NSW operates a mandatory STRA register with night caps for unhosted properties, WA made state-wide registration mandatory from January 2025 under the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act 2024, Victoria introduced a 7.5% short-stay levy in January 2025, and the ACT applies a 5% levy on stays under 28 nights.
The short-term rental industry in Australia continues to grow, creating new opportunities for property owners and managers. Whether you are just starting out or looking to optimise your existing setup, understanding STRA (Short-Term Rental Accommodation) is an important step.
Key points
- Subject to state and council regulations across Australia
- Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com facilitate bookings
- Dynamic pricing tools maximise revenue
- Professional management can scale operations
Why it matters for your business
In today's evolving Australian business landscape, staying informed about concepts like STRA (Short-Term Rental Accommodation) gives you a competitive edge. From sole traders and freelancers to growing companies, these fundamentals apply across all business types and sizes.
How Space Penguin can help
Space Penguin provides flexible workspace solutions, virtual addresses, and business support services across Australia. Whether you need a professional registered address, a coworking desk, or a private office, we have options to suit every stage of your business journey.
Explore our full glossary for more essential Short-term rental terms and definitions.
Related guides: Short-term rental (STR) · Booking platform · Occupancy rate