Standing together with Victoria
Navigating Victoria’s short-stay accommodation laws
What’s happened
From 1 January 2025, the Victorian Government’s new Short Stay Levy Act will introduce a 7.5% state tax, an additional GST tax, and updated local government regulations impacting short-term rental hosts across Victoria.
7.5% levy on short-stay accommodation
A 7.5% levy will apply to all short-stay bookings in Victoria, except for principal residences, commercial residential premises and certain specialist accommodation.
Owners corporation gaining new powers
Owners corporation gaining new powers
Owners corporations will now have the power to ban a listing in a strata scheme with a three-quarter majority vote, except for principal residences.
Local government regulations
Local governments may introduce separate regulations, permits, and restrictions on short-stay rentals, potentially creating up to 79 different local rules.
For hosts
If your listing (s) qualify for an exemption, please declare by submitting the form below.
If your listing (s) qualify for an exemption, please declare by submitting the form below.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my listing qualifies for an exemption?
If your listing is not a 'short-stay accommodation' (as defined in the Short Stay Levy Act 2024), you may be eligible for an exemption. These include:
- A “principal place of residence”, whether you own or rent the property.
- “Commercial residential premises”, such as a hotel, motel, hostel or similar accommodation.
- Certain specialist accommodation, such as rooming houses, retirement villages and student accommodation provided in connection with an educational institution.
How do I apply for an exemption?
The Victorian State Revenue Office (SRO) has its own declaration process for exemptions. However, for an exemption to apply to your Airbnb listing, you will need to complete a specific declaration process through our platform.If your listing/s on Airbnb should be excluded from the short stay levy, please declare by submitting this declaration form as soon as possible.There is no need to fill out the SRO version of the form. We have designed this streamlined process to make it easier for you to manage your listing on Airbnb and comply with the new rules.
How will the levy appear to guests?
Guests will see a separate line item labelled “Taxes” when reserving your Airbnb listing. This line item will include the flat rate of 7.5%, which is calculated on top of the listing price, including any cleaning fees and guest fees, plus any applicable GST on the levy.
How will the levy be collected?
Airbnb will collect the levy from guests for any bookings made on or after 1 January 2025. Any changes or cancellations to a booking will result in an adjustment to the amount of the levy charged.For more information please visit the SRO’s website and our Help Centre for more FAQs.
Hosting is a lifeline for many
Hosting is a lifeline for many
For many Victorians, hosting provides a critical source of income that supports families, sustains local businesses, and strengthens communities. With these new taxes, this important source of support could face challenges, potentially affecting access to affordable accommodation. Here are some stories of those who rely on hosting to make ends meet.
“After battling cancer, I needed a fresh start. Hosting on Airbnb gave me the flexibility to focus on my health and children, and offered a lifeline that allowed me to rebuild and invest in my family’s future.”
— Kylie, Ballarat, VIC
“Hosting on Airbnb became my lifeline after I lost my job. The income helps pay off the mortgage on what will be my retirement home. It’s long-term investment in my security and wellbeing.”
— Geoff, Hepburn Springs, VIC
“Hosting a room on top of my garage allowed me to work part time and be home more with my daughter when she was born. It helped us stay on top of our mortgage.”
— Belinda, Preston, VIC
Victorian hosting by the numbers
The Victorian hosting community plays a vital role in supporting the local economy, tourism, and small businesses. A recent independent report by Oxford Economics (based on the 12 months to March 2023) found that Airbnb guest spending across Victoria contributed $3.1 billion and supported 26,000 jobs.However, new regulations and levies will have a significant impact on hosts — affecting not only their livelihoods but also the broader economy.
76%
of Victorian hosts say hosting helps them meet the rising cost of living
73%
of Victorian hosts say hosting is not their primary occupation
65%
of Victorian hosts identify as women
of Victorian hosts identify as women
For local governments
State by state
Airbnb supports regulation of the short-stay accommodation sector, but the Victorian Government's approach will create the most confusing and over-taxed system in the country.Compare how other Australian jurisdictions have approached the regulation of short-term accommodation:
New South Wales | Tasmania | Queensland | Victoria | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Statewide rules | ||||
Registration scheme or data sharing | Recommendation from Government's review into STRA | |||
Code of conduct | ||||
Tourism levy |
Supporting local authorities with the City Portal
Supporting local authorities with the City Portal
Airbnb’s City Portal provides government officials and tourism agencies with the resources they need—data insights, policy tools, and hands-on support—to create a well-regulated, community-friendly short-term rental environment.
Discover the City PortalHelping communities thrive with the Policy Toolkit
Helping communities thrive with the Policy Toolkit
Airbnb’s Short-Term Rental Regulation Toolkit is designed to help local governments across Australia leverage opportunities and address key regulatory levers for the short-term rental industry. We hope the toolkit will be a valuable resource that helps create fair regulations that balance the benefits of home sharing with the needs of communities.
Explore the Policy ToolkitRelated links
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