Finding a rental in Western Australia hasn't been easy, but two State Government incentive schemes are helping turn the tide by bringing more homes onto the long-term rental market.
Finding a rental in Western Australia hasn't been easy, but two State Government incentive schemes are helping turn the tide by bringing more homes onto the long-term rental market.
The good news is there's still time for more property owners to get involved. Stage three of the Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Incentive Scheme and the Vacant Property Rental (VPR) Incentive Scheme is underway, with applications closing on 31 December 2025.
Since the schemes first began, more than 750 properties have been turned from short-term stays or sitting empty into long-term rental homes. That means more families, couples, retirees and regional workers now have a roof over their heads.
Both programs offer cash grants to property owners who make the switch. STRA owners can receive $10,000, while eligible vacant property owners can receive $5,000. In return, owners agree to rent their property for a minimum of 12 months to new tenants who are not the landlord's family.
Eligibility has been expanded, so even if you bought a property for short-stay after the scheme first launched, or if your home has only recently become vacant, you may now qualify. Houses, units, villas, apartments and even granny flats could all be eligible depending on the scheme.
It's also worth thinking about what's coming down the track. New planning rules may soon mean that running a short-term rental requires a development application. For some owners, that's a good reason to consider making the move to the long-term rental market now.
Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions but you will need an Australian bank account so Consumer Protection's Grants team can pay you.
If you've been thinking about making the switch, now's the time. Stage three of the STRA and VPR incentive schemes is your opportunity to help ease WA's rental shortage while receiving financial support to do it. You have until 31 December 2025 to apply.
Head to wa.gov.au and search which scheme you are interested in to check your eligibility.
