The state of Australia's short-term rental market: Trends and opportunities in 2025

Key highlights

• Travel demand is still climbing. Domestic holidays remain strong and international arrivals are closing in on 2019 levels.
• Competition is fiercer than ever. Listings grew about 11 % last year, so average properties now fight on price alone.
• Rules are tightening. From 1 January 2025 new levies, night-caps and compulsory registers arrive in Victoria, WA and parts of NSW.
• Longer stays pay. Trips of 28+ nights are Airbnb’s fastest-growing category—perfect for remote workers and VFR (visiting friends & relatives).

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2024 in one minute

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Take-away: demand is healthy, but only well-staged, smart-priced homes captured revenue growth.

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New rules for 2025

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Miss a deadline and your listing could be fined or de-listed—plan now.

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Market pulse by region

• Sydney & NSW Coast – Biggest demand, toughest competition. Premium harbour-view or design-led homes still earn standout ADRs.
• Melbourne & Victoria – Event calendar (Aus Open, F1, concerts) underpins occupancy; factor the new levy into 2025 budgets.
• Queensland – Gold & Sunshine Coasts lead the nation’s RevPAR; Brisbane’s profile rises with the Lions Tour and Olympic build-up.
• Perth & WA South-West – Undersupplied market + blockbuster concerts keep occupancy high; registration deadline looms.
• Tasmania & other regional escapes – Seasonal but strong; holiday towns cracked 90 % occupancy over summer. New Hobart flight connections suggest further growth.

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Five winning plays for hosts in 2025

1. Lock in compliance early. Registration IDs, night-cap tracking and levy accounting should be embedded in your workflow before New Year’s Day.
2. Optimise for 28-night-plus bookings. Provide fast Wi-Fi, work-friendly desks and monthly discounts to capture remote workers.
3. Use dynamic pricing daily. Fewer than one-third of Aussie hosts do—those that do outperform on both occupancy and ADR.
4. Own the events calendar. Lions rugby tour, Aus Open, F1, Vivid, regional festivals—open calendars 12–18 months out and set event-specific rates.
5. Differentiate beyond price. Hotel-grade cleaning, thoughtful amenities, eco-touches and “Instagram-worthy” styling convert browsers into bookings.

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Where MadeComfy keeps you ahead

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Ready for 2025?

Exploring your options? Book a free revenue forecast to see how MadeComfy can unlock your property’s full earning potential—minus the regulatory headaches.

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