- Incentive grants extended for converting short-stay and vacant homes to rentals
- More than 700 new rental homes created under Short-Term Rental Accommodation and Vacant Property Rental grants
- Owners gain more time to transition properties into the long-term rental market
As part of its housing reforms, the Cook Labor Government has extended two successful incentive schemes that have already delivered hundreds of long-term rental properties.
The Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) and Vacant Property Rental (VPR) incentive schemes provide cash incentives for owners who switch their short-stay or empty properties to the long-term rental market. A key requirement is providing a minimum 12-month lease to new tenants.
Since opening in November 2023, the $10,000 STRA Incentive Scheme has added 457 new rental properties, while the $5,000 VPR Incentive Scheme, which launched in May 2024, has converted an additional 249 properties.
Applications for both schemes had been due to close on 30 June 2025, but will now be extended a further six months to 31 December 2025, or until the funds are exhausted.
Learn more about the STRA Incentive Scheme at: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-mines-industry-regulation-and-safety/short-term-rental-accommodation-incentive-scheme and the Vacant Property Rental Incentive Scheme at: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-mines-industry-regulation-and-safety/vacant-property-rental-incentive-scheme
As stated by Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The STRA and VPR incentive schemes are directly unlocking more homes for Western Australian renters.
"By extending these two key schemes, we're confident we can keep providing more housing options across the State."
As stated by Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"These are innovative policies that have delivered a big boost to the long-term rental stock.
"Adding more than 700 homes is a fantastic outcome and extending the schemes will provide more opportunity for people to access the incentives and get their homes back onto the long-term rental market.
"Ensuring all Western Australians can access a secure housing is a priority for our government and these initiatives will provide even more housing opportunities for people to find a home."
As stated by Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"Our government is investing a record $5.8 billion in housing and homelessness measures, including in these incentives that have boosted supply in the rental market.
"Through our Short-Term Rental Accommodation and Vacant Property Rental incentives alone, more than 700 properties have returned to the long-term rental market."
