STRA registration in WA: a practical guide for property owners

What is STRA registration, and who needs it?

STRA means short-term rental accommodation. Before preparing an Airbnb listing, check whether the accommodation falls within the WA registration scheme. The State Government’s examples include commercially offered houses, townhouses and apartments, as well as rooms in a home and granny flats. Some other accommodation arrangements are excluded, so use the official eligibility guidance for your property type.

Since 1 January 2025, STRA premises must be registered before they are advertised or bookings are taken. The correct registration number must be clearly visible in the advertisement. Registration is not the same as permission to operate under local planning rules.

Official source: WA Government: what needs to be registered ↗WA Government: STRA Register frequently asked questions ↗

Registration and planning approval are different checks

State registration records the premises in the STRA Register. Planning approval concerns the use of the property and, where required, is handled by the relevant local government. Obtaining a registration number does not remove an obligation to obtain planning approval.

Ask the council about your address and intended operation before committing to a launch date.

Official source: WA Government: STRA Register frequently asked questions ↗

Hosted or unhosted: establish the arrangement first

Hosted STRA involves a host living on the site. The WA planning guidance exempts hosted STRA from planning approval, but registration is still required. Unhosted STRA gives guests use of the whole dwelling. The planning requirements depend on its location and proposed use.

Official source: WA planning department: hosted, unhosted and metropolitan exemptions ↗

How the Perth 90-night exemption works

For unhosted STRA in the defined Perth metropolitan area, a planning-approval exemption applies to up to 90 non-consecutive nights within the relevant 12-month period tied to registration. Registration remains necessary.

This is an exemption from planning approval, not a universal cap on hosting. If you plan to exceed the exemption, confirm the planning approval pathway with your council before operating. Check the department’s list of metropolitan local governments and confirm the requirements with your council.

Official source: WA planning department: hosted, unhosted and metropolitan exemptions ↗

What about Kalgoorlie and other regional properties?

Outside the defined Perth metropolitan area, councils set planning requirements for unhosted STRA. For Kalgoorlie, check the address with the council rather than applying Perth’s exemption.

Official source: WA planning department: hosted, unhosted and metropolitan exemptions ↗

Registration fees, access and renewal

As checked on 6 November 2026, the published initial registration fee is A$250 and the annual renewal fee is A$100. These are government registration charges, not Sparkling Stays management or setup fees. Check the official fees page again before paying.

The official access page links to the register and explains the individual and business account pathways through My Account. Use the pathway that matches your ownership or management arrangement. Put renewal in your operating calendar rather than treating registration as a one-off setup task.

Official source: WA Government: registration, fees and register access ↗

Can a property manager help with registration?

The official FAQ says the owner or tenant must begin registration and nominate the management business before the manager can continue. Agree who will handle the remaining steps and keep the records.

For strata properties, check that the by-laws do not prohibit STRA. For independently managed bookings, confirm reporting obligations using the official FAQ.

Official source: WA Government: STRA Register frequently asked questions ↗

A practical checklist before your first guest

Bring the registration and planning checks into the same preparation plan as access, furniture, linen and guest information. A completed room setup should not be mistaken for confirmation that the property’s approvals are in place.

• Identify the accommodation type and the council responsible for the address.
• Confirm the registration and planning steps, then record who handles each one.
• Keep the registration number, approval documents and relevant correspondence together.
• Check the listing, booking-reporting process and renewal reminder before launch.
• Discuss property setup and the management scope separately from government fees.

Talk through the practical handover

Sparkling Stays can discuss management, co-hosting and preparing your property for guests. Share the address, existing listing and the stage you have reached with the registration and council checks. That helps us understand what is already in place and what needs to happen next.

The management contract sets out the agreed commercial scope. Registration decisions and planning approvals remain with the relevant authorities. Use the official links below to check current requirements for your circumstances.