If you own a short-term rental in Brisbane or are thinking about joining the booming market for holiday stays, you’ve likely heard the buzz around proposed changes to how short-stay properties are regulated across the city.
As trusted partners to property owners nationwide, and providers of premium Airbnb management in Brisbane and throughout Australia, Oasis Stay is here to break down what these reforms could mean for you.
Working with an experienced property management company like us can help you confidently navigate these changes, as we offer a multitude of different services that cater to your specific needs.
So, let’s dive into what’s actually going on, why short-stay changes are being proposed, and how to prepare for these upcoming changes.
What’s Changing for Short-Stay Rentals in Brisbane?
Late in 2025, the Brisbane City Council proposed a new Short Stay Accommodation Local Law 2025 designed to introduce clearer rules and oversight for short-stay rentals, particularly those in residential neighbourhoods. The goal is to strike a better balance between tourism, neighbourhood amenity, and housing supply.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of the proposal:
New Permit System
Under the draft law, most short-stay rental properties, including Airbnbs, will need a permit to continue operating. These are expected to be required from 1st July 2026.
The owner, tenant or property manager can be the permit holder, and they need to follow certain rules and requirements which if breached, can result in immediate fines from anywhere between 5 to 850 penalty units. Permits can be revoked after three breaches over a three year period.
This represents a significant change, basically turning almost every short-stay operation into a regulated activity that needs formal approval.
Who Needs a Permit?
Most rental homes and apartments offered for stays of less than 90 days will need a permit. Hotels, resorts, serviced apartments with 24/7 on-site management, and home-hosted stays where the owner lives on site are generally exempt.
This means many owner-occupied or professionally managed short-stay properties currently on Airbnb might fall under the new regime.
New Operational Conditions
Permit holders will also be required to:
- Provide house rules to guests, covering noise and neighbourhood expectations.
- Display their permit number in advertisements.
- Nominate a 24/7 contact person who can respond to complaints within 60 minutes and report actions taken within 24 hours.
- Hold public liability insurance throughout each booking.
This adds a layer of accountability that’s designed to make short stays more safe, reliable and responsive to local concerns.
Development Approval Requirements
Some properties may also need development approval before a short-stay permit can be issued, particularly in low or low-medium density zoned areas. This means owners in outer suburbs or quieter residential neighbourhoods might need to engage more deeply with council planning processes to keep using their homes as short-term rentals.
Why Is Council Introducing These Changes?
Brisbane isn’t alone in looking closely at short-stay rentals. Across Australia, councils and state governments are grappling with how to balance the benefits of tourism with housing affordability and community amenity.
Key reasons for Brisbane’s proposals include:
- Reducing unregulated party houses and nuisance complaints. Unsupervised short-stay properties sometimes generate neighbour issues that are hard to resolve quickly.
- Protecting the community. Local residents have been vocal about wanting safe, quiet, stable neighbourhoods.
- Encouraging more homes to return to the long-term rental market. With rental shortages biting across South-East Queensland, regulating short-stay stock is seen as one way to free up homes.
How Do These Changes Compare to Other States?
It’s worth noting that Queensland isn’t the only jurisdiction considering changes.
Victoria has already introduced a 7.5% levy on short-stay bookings (often referred to as an Airbnb tax), aimed at generating revenue and giving councils greater power to regulate short-term rentals.
Sydney has been debating reducing its 180-day annual cap on short-term rentals to just 60 days in certain areas to bolster long-term housing supply.
Meanwhile, councils in tourist regions such as Bass Coast, Mornington Peninsula and other local government areas already charge registration fees for short-stay hosts.
All of this points to a broader national trend of greater regulation, permitting, and taxation of short-stay accommodations.
What This Means for Airbnb Management in Brisbane
If you’re a property owner who rents out your home or investment property on Airbnb or similar platforms, the proposed changes could significantly impact how you operate.
That’s where an Airbnb management company in Brisbane (where these new reforms are happening) can help you navigate through these new legal changes.
Thankfully, at Oasis Stay, we provide Airbnb management services for Newstead, Airbnb management services for Kangaroo Point, Airbnb management services for Spring Hill, and many other locations within Brisbane and throughout Australia. These are a few examples of exactly how we could help:
Regulatory Navigation
New permit and development approval requirements can be complex and time-consuming. Our team knows the process and can help ensure your property is compliant in every aspect from documentation to application.
24/7 Guest and Neighbour Support
Since the proposed law requires a 24/7 contact person, our professional managers who operate that service day and night can take that burden off your plate.
Paperwork, Insurance and House Rules
We’ll make sure your Brisbane Airbnb management services include everything from clear house rules to the right insurance coverage; all tailored to satisfy council expectations and protect your investment.
Planning and Strategy
Every property is different. We can help assess whether development approval is needed, and guide you through the planning and council consultation process if necessary.
Preparing for the Proposed Changes
Change can be unsettling, but you don’t have to go through it alone and it doesn’t have to disrupt your financial situation either; especially with the right partner by your side.
If you’re committed to providing high-quality stays and want to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, teaming up with an experienced Airbnb management company in Brisbane (and other areas throughout Australia), like Oasis Stay, could be one of the smartest moves you make.
Working with our experts across Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Queensland, and Brisbane for Airbnb management services gives you clarity and peace of mind, no matter how regulations evolve.
Want to Simplify Your Short-Stay Hosting?
Whether you’re already hosting or thinking about listing your property, our team at Oasis Stay is here to help you overcome necessary changes, maximise bookings and protect your investment.
Contact us today to learn more about how our specialised property management services can support you, and your property, best.
