Tasmanians reminded hosting still open once compliant with local laws
While the initial deadline has passed for Tasmanian home sharing hosts to demonstrate they’re compliant with regulation, residents can still obtain a permit or claim an exemption and ensure their listing is compliant with local laws.
With the December 4 deadline having passed, existing hosts who failed to seek exemptions or obtain a permit will not be able to accept new bookings until they have successfully completed this process.
Airbnb recently held a regulatory compliance workshop to help hosts understand their hosting responsibilities to be compliant with the rules, and to encourage hosts to urgently finalise their permits or how to claim an exemption, where appropriate.
Held in Hobart, the workshop provided practical advice to assist hosts in meeting their obligations by the deadline, ensuring they could continue to host on the platform.
“Tasmania is at the top of must-see lists for both domestic and international travellers thanks to its natural beauty and world-renowned food and beverage and cultural scene,” Derek Nolan, Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Australia and New Zealand, said.
“As we get into summer and the festive season, Tasmania is set to experience a surge in tourists excited to explore a host of incredible attractions and inject money into small businesses across the state, which in turn supports local jobs.
“That’s particularly true in regional Tasmania where Airbnb hosts are encouraging tourists to step off the beaten path and spend their time beyond the usual tourism hotspots. Indeed, two-thirds of all Airbnb listings in Tasmania are outside inner-city Hobart and Launceston.”
Mr Nolan strongly encouraged hosts who failed to meet the deadline to finalise obtaining a permit if required, or claiming an exemption where appropriate, to ensure they could recommence hosting. Tasmanians who haven’t hosted before can also undertake this process to begin sharing their homes on the platform.
“Airbnb hosts continue to play an important role in supporting small businesses and helping Tasmania to grow local jobs,” he said.
“We are proud to work with the Tasmanian Government to support fair and sensible regulations which strike the right balance that allows people to share their home, while requiring permits for secondary properties. These laws are helping Tasmania to grow tourism and more local jobs.
“I want to thank the Airbnb host community for making such a strong effort to positively engage with this process.
“But let there be no doubt – hosts who do not comply with the new laws will not be able to accept bookings on Airbnb. That is our commitment to the Tasmanian Government.”
Mr Nolan encouraged anyone who needed assistance with compliance-related issues to get in touch with the Airbnb team.
A 2017 Deloitte Access Economics report found that Airbnb guests spent almost $60 million in Tasmania in 2015-16 alone.
Airbnb hosts can find more information about their hosting responsibilities by visiting Airbnb’s dedicated responsible hosting page for Tasmania.