Politics

Sunshine Coast Council Mandates Holiday Rental Registration Starting 2027

Property owners and visitors in areas such as Maroochydore and Caloundra will face new annual registration requirements and fees from January 2027 under the updated local government rules.

By Sunshine Coast Policy Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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The Sunshine Coast Council has published the rollout schedule for its revised short-term rental registration policy, requiring all providers of holiday accommodation to complete council registration by 1 January 2027.

The policy update follows amendments to Queensland local government legislation on visitor accommodation and responds to documented growth in the number of properties listed on platforms in coastal suburbs over the past three years.

Direct effects on residents and daily costs

Owners of properties used for stays of less than 90 days will pay an annual registration fee set at 250 dollars, with the revenue directed to the council's compliance and enforcement budget. Households that occasionally rent out rooms or entire homes during peak periods will need to complete an online application and display a registration number in all listings. Local advocates note that this process is expected to reduce the number of unregistered listings by the end of 2027.

Residents seeking long-term rentals may see some properties return to the permanent market once the registration deadline passes, while tourism operators in Maroochydore will need to adjust booking systems to include the new identifier.

Evidence from council records and next steps

Council budget papers for 2025-26 record that short-term rental properties represent approximately 12 percent of the total dwelling stock in the Sunshine Coast local government area. Enforcement officers will begin audits in February 2027, with penalties for non-compliance scheduled to apply from July 2027.

The government says the policy will reach full operation by December 2027, after which residents can check the public register before booking accommodation and property owners can confirm their compliance status through the council portal.

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