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First sanction: WA short-term rental provider fined $2k after registration failure
Western Australia’s consumer affairs watchdog has issued its first fine under the state’s short-term rental laws after a provider allegedly failed to display a registration number on their ad.
A short-stay accommodation (STRA) provider has been fined $2,000 for failing to display a mandatory registration number on their advertisement for their Perth property.
It marked the first enforcement action under Western Australia’s short-term rental accommodation (STRA) laws, which made the registration of STRA premises mandatory from January 2025.
The infringement, issued by WA Consumer Protection, was given after allegedly advertising in breach of the requirements introduced under the STRA reforms, as the advertisement did not display the STRA registration number.
Under the legislation, STRA providers must register their properties with Consumer Protection and display the registration number in all advertisements.
The registration number enables prospective guests and the wider community to verify that a property is lawfully registered.
Advertising publications and booking platform providers are also prohibited from publishing STRA advertisements for unregistered properties, or those that fail to display, or falsely display, a registration number.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Trish Blake, said the registration system was designed to improve transparency and accountability across WA’s short-term rental accommodation sector.
“Displaying a registration number is not optional – it allows consumers to confirm a residential property is registered and helps create a level playing field for operators who are doing the right thing.”
Blake also said that Consumer Protection would continue monitoring compliance and take enforcement action where appropriate.
“This first infringement demonstrates that Consumer Protection is actively enforcing legislation and will take action where operators fail to meet their obligations.”
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