ASTRA welcomes Brisbane’s move away from short-stay permits

The Australian Short Term Rental Accommodation Association (ASTRA) has welcomed Brisbane City Council’s decision not to proceed “at this time” with a proposed short-stay accommodation permit scheme, describing the outcome as a sensible recognition of the role short-term rentals play in Brisbane’s accommodation mix.

The decision follows consultation and discussion through Council’s Short Stay Accommodation Taskforce, established in 2023 to examine potential regulation of the sector amid ongoing housing affordability concerns and community debate surrounding short-term rentals.

ASTRA Chair Yoav Tourel said short-term accommodation forms an important part of Brisbane’s broader accommodation landscape and serves a wide range of uses beyond tourism.

“Short-term rentals are not one thing,” Mr Tourel said.

“They include people sharing their primary residence, families using their homes flexibly to help manage cost-of-living pressures, and properties that support essential temporary accommodation needs, including visiting health and infrastructure workers, medical stays, insurance displacement, domestic violence support and people relocating.”

ASTRA said the sector also supports a large network of local businesses and service providers, including cleaners, property managers, tradespeople, cafés, restaurants and tour operators, contributing to employment and economic activity throughout Brisbane.

The association also pointed to the role short-stay accommodation could play ahead of the 2032 Summer Olympics, arguing that flexible accommodation options would help increase visitor capacity while allowing local households and small businesses to share in the economic opportunities generated by the Games.

READ: ASTRA joins debate over short stays and housing supply

Brisbane City Council’s proposed permit scheme had been scheduled to commence from July 1, 2026, but Council confirmed this week it would not proceed with the proposal at this stage.

While welcoming the decision, ASTRA acknowledged that housing affordability and housing supply remain significant challenges across Australia and said it supports practical measures aimed at increasing housing availability.

The association also reiterated its support for regulation targeting operators or guests who repeatedly create nuisance or disruption within communities.

“Where guests or operators repeatedly cause genuine nuisance, councils should have the tools to respond,” Mr Tourel said.

ASTRA said it would continue working with Brisbane City Council, hosts and industry stakeholders on responsible short-stay accommodation practices and practical compliance outcomes.

The organisation also acknowledged the work undertaken by Brisbane City Council’s taskforce since 2023 and thanked members of its Advocacy and Policy Committee for their contribution to the debate and ongoing advocacy efforts.

The latest print edition of AccomNews is out now. Read it HERE