How will Airbnb’s team-up with local councils affect Aussie investors?

In September last year, Byron Shire Council cut their STRA cap to just 60 days per year on the grounds that Airbnbs were taking homes away from local renters.

Victoria also placed a 7.5 per cent levy on STRA owners, while Western Australia introduced a bill to tighten regulations for unhosted properties.

Airbnb’s contentious relationships with government bodies, however, may be at an end. In a bold new move, Airbnb stated this week they will work with local governments by offering councils a new information resource.

Since 2020, Airbnb has operated the ‘City Portal’ in several overseas cities, predominantly in the U.S. This resource allows local governments to access data on the number of listings in their area, number of guests, average guest spending, among other statistics.

Now, Airbnb is preparing to launch the City Portal in Australia.

Susan Wheeldon, the Sydney-based country director for Airbnb Australia and New Zealand, stated that the company is bringing this tool to Australia “to help local councils better understand the role Airbnb plays in their community, so they have the data they need to make evidence-based decisions.”

“We know in areas with significant tourism and seasonal economies Airbnb is a key economic driver, but what we’ve heard from local mayors is they want to find the right balance,” Wheeldon said. “Better data is the starting point.”

All councils in Australia will have access to the City Portal on an opt-in basis, and will gain access to accurate data about local listing numbers and economic impacts.

Each council will also have the option to request a webpage on Airbnb which lists local and state regulatory and tax requirements, making this information easier for hosts to access.

Airbnb noted that the expansion of the City Portal to Australia is part of their “ongoing efforts to work collaboratively with all levels of government to balance the benefits of home sharing with the needs of communities.”

“Airbnb welcomes regulation, and we’ve collaborated with governments around the world and in Australia on clear, fair rules for short-term rentals to ensure hosting on Airbnb and the economic activity it creates makes communities stronger,” Wheeldon said.