The Western Australian Government has introduced significant new regulations for the Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) sector, but the immediate impact on regional agritourism operators will differ substantially from those in metropolitan Perth. While city-based properties face a strict deadline for new planning approvals, the government has explicitly granted regional local governments greater autonomy, recognising the vital role these accommodations play in local tourism economies.
Metropolitan Perth Faces Hard Deadline, Regions Granted Flexibility
A recent announcement from the Cook Government has mandated that all unhosted STRA properties within the Perth metropolitan area operating for more than 90 nights per year must have a development application lodged by 1 January 2026. This is a direct response to housing supply pressures in the city.
However, for WAAA members operating farm stays and other on-farm accommodation, the key detail is that this hard deadline does not apply. A government statement confirmed that “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.” This policy acknowledges that the dynamics of tourism and housing in agricultural regions are fundamentally different from the urban environment.
The Imperative of Local Government Engagement
This flexibility places the responsibility for regulation squarely with individual shires and regional councils. It is therefore critical that agritourism operators actively engage with their local government to understand any forthcoming changes to local planning schemes. The rules for operating a farm stay in the Margaret River region may differ from those in the Gascoyne or the Great Southern. Operators should proactively monitor council meetings and public consultation periods to ensure their interests are represented and that they remain compliant with local frameworks as they are developed or amended.
State-Wide STRA Register and Its Implications
Alongside the planning reforms, a mandatory state-wide STRA Register is now in effect for all operators, both metropolitan and regional. According to the government, approximately 11,600 properties are now registered. This register provides, for the first time, a clear picture of the sector’s scale across Western Australia.
Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti noted, “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.” For WAAA members, this means local councils now have a direct dashboard to verify the compliance of all registered STRA properties within their jurisdiction.
The government’s stated aim is to balance competing demands. “Our reforms strike a balance between demand for long-term rentals and tourism accommodation,” said Planning and Lands Minister John Carey. While the focus of this balance is currently on the metropolitan area, regional operators must remain aware that the regulatory environment is evolving across the state.
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