Queensland Short-Term Rental Regulation Bill Sets 2027 Rollout for Sunshine Coast Hosts

The Queensland Short-Term Rental Regulation Bill, passed in the state legislature on 30 June 2026, requires all short-term rental operators on the Sunshine Coast to register with the Queensland Revenue Office and limits each property to 90 days of letting per year once the rules commence.

State records show the bill responds to sustained pressure on housing supply in coastal electorates where visitor numbers have grown each summer since 2022. The legislation states that local councils will enforce the caps through existing planning schemes rather than new state staff.

Effects on daily costs and availability

Residents in Maroochydore and Alexandra Headland who list entire homes on booking platforms will need to track letting days from 1 July 2027 or risk fines starting at $5,000. Families seeking short-term stays near Sunshine Coast University Hospital may find fewer whole-home options and more room-only listings as operators adjust to the cap.

Local advocates note that the 90-day limit will first affect properties within 500 metres of the beach, where data from the 2025-26 Queensland Budget papers recorded an average of 142 letting days last financial year. Workers in tourism jobs tied to those properties could see roster changes once hosts reduce availability.

Next steps for compliance

The government says the policy will open a six-month registration window from January 2027, with councils publishing approved properties on public registers by April. Policy analysts say residents should check their council planning website for updates on how the cap interacts with existing development approvals for coastal land.

Further amendments to the bill are scheduled for debate in November 2026 after the Productivity Commission releases its review of similar rules in other states. Sunshine Coast ratepayers can submit comments through the Department of Housing online portal until 15 August.