🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane Draws the Line: New Limits on Short-Stays

Brisbane is tightening the reins on short-term rentals, and if you operate an Airbnb-style property in a suburban neighborhood, there’s a big set of changes headed your way. The Brisbane City Council has rolled out a major reform package that aims to shift hundreds of short-stay homes back into the long-term rental market, all while keeping neighborhood peace front and center.

Under these reforms, nearly 500 suburban homes currently used for short-stay accommodation will be instructed to stop operating—or secure the required approvals—by June 30, 2026. The new rules specifically target properties in low-density and low-medium density zones, which have traditionally been intended for locals rather than revolving door guest stays.

At the core of the changes is a brand-new permit system designed to bring more order to the STR landscape. Every short-stay operator will now need to apply for a council permit and meet a pretty clear checklist of responsibilities. That includes nominating a 24/7 contact person who can address complaints within an hour, providing guests with written house rules, maintaining public liability insurance, displaying your permit number in all listings, and securing any additional required approvals before your permit is even considered.

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A standout feature of the reform is the new “three-strikes” rule: if a property racks up three warnings within three years, its permit is automatically rejected. On top of that, anyone caught operating without a permit could be hit with fines exceeding $140,000, a figure that’s sure to grab the attention of even the most casual hosts.

The council says the goal isn’t to squeeze out tourism, but to move short-stay activity back toward the inner city and established visitor hubs—places already equipped to handle higher guest turnover and noise concerns. Meanwhile, everyday suburban streets—where residents expect quiet evenings and stable neighbors—get some breathing room again.

There’s also talk of changes to state body corporate legislation that would give apartment owners more say in whether STRs can operate in their building, potentially resetting the balance of decision-making power in multi-unit complexes.

If you want to have your say, Brisbane residents will get their chance soon. Public feedback opens December 12, 2025, and will run through February 16, 2026, giving locals two months to weigh in before the reforms are evaluated by the state government and eventually brought back to council for final adoption.

In short, Brisbane is reshaping where and how short-term rentals fit into the city’s future. Tourism still matters—but, as the mayor put it, not at the cost of suburban amenity.

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