LawfulStay
← Back to Database

Mornington Peninsula

Victoria · Australia
Restricted
Last updated: 2026-08-03  ·  Last verified: 2026-08-03  ·  Region: International

At a Glance — Mornington Peninsula Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusRestricted — rules apply
Permit / License RequiredYes – Victoria introduced the Short Stay Levy Act 2025 and associated registration requirements effective 1 January 2025. All short-stay accommodation
Tax Rate7.5% Victorian Short Stay Levy on gross short-stay revenue (effective 1 January 2025). GST 10% if applicable. Land tax varies (0.2%–2.55% of property
Night / Day CapNo hard statutory day cap statewide. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's planning scheme has been updated to treat frequent short-stay use o
Minimum StayNo state-mandated minimum stay. Council planning permit conditions may impose minimums in sensitive areas.
Permit FeeVictorian registration fee: AUD 375 per property per year (as of 2025 commencement). Planning permit fees under Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's f
PenaltiesOperating without Victorian registration: fines up to AUD 9,913 (60 penalty units, 2025 rate). Non-payment of levy: interest and ATO-style enforcement
Primary Residence RequiredNot a blanket requirement, but Victoria's Short Stay Levy exempts principal place of residence for up to 180 days per year without levy obligation (co
Occupancy LimitSet by planning permit conditions and the Building Code of Australia. Mornington Peninsula Shire has specific conditions limiting guests per property
Browse all 17 STR regulations in Australia →

Mornington Peninsula Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Mornington Peninsula Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rentals in Mornington Peninsula, Victoria are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes – Victoria introduced the Short Stay Levy Act 2025 and associated registration requirements effective 1 January 2025. All short-stay accommodation providers (rentals under 28 days) must register w. The associated permit fees are Victorian registration fee: AUD 375 per property per year (as of 2025 commencement). Planning permit.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Mornington Peninsula

Short-term rental operators in Mornington Peninsula should be aware of these tax obligations: 7.5% Victorian Short Stay Levy on gross short-stay revenue (effective 1 January 2025). GST 10% if applicable. Land tax varies (0.2%–2.55% of property value above threshold).. Yes – Victorian Short Stay Levy: a 7.5% levy on short-stay accommodation revenue applies from 1 January 2025. Also ATO GST if turnover exceeds AUD 75,.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Mornington Peninsula

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Mornington Peninsula include: Primary residence requirement: Not a blanket requirement, but Victoria's Short Stay Levy exempts principal place of residence for up to 180 days per ye. Rental day cap: No hard statutory day cap statewide. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's planning scheme has been updated to t. Occupancy limit: Set by planning permit conditions and the Building Code of Australia. Mornington Peninsula Shire has specific conditions. Minimum stay: No state-mandated minimum stay. Council planning permit conditions may impose minimums in sensitive areas..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Mornington Peninsula

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Mornington Peninsula: Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme: residential zones (GRZ, NRZ, LDRZ) require planning permits for short-term rental accommodation. Rural and green wedge zones have additional restrictions. The Pen. Density rules: Mornington Peninsula Shire has discussed density caps in high-impact areas (e.g., Sorrento, Portsea, Rye, Rosebud) but no confirmed hard neighbourhood. Insurance: Not legally mandated, but Victorian Registration requires properties to meet safety standards. Publi.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Mornington Peninsula

Hosts who fail to comply with Mornington Peninsula's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating without Victorian registration: fines up to AUD 9,913 (60 penalty units, 2025 rate). Non-payment of levy: interest and ATO-style enforcement by SRO Victoria. Planning permit breaches: Mornin.

Platform Obligations in Mornington Peninsula

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Mornington Peninsula: Under the Short Stay Levy Act 2025, booking platforms (Airbnb, Stayz etc.) operating in Victoria have data-sharing and levy-collection obligations. Platforms may be required to collect and remit the 7.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Restricted
License / Registration
Yes – Victoria introduced the Short Stay Levy Act 2025 and associated registration requirements effective 1 January 2025. All short-stay accommodation providers (rentals under 28 days) must register with the Victorian Government's short-stay accommodation register administered by Consumer Affairs Victoria / Rental Accommodation Register. Additionally, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council requires compliance with its Planning Scheme; some properties require a planning permit for 'short-term rental accommodation' use depending on zone and frequency.
Tax Registration
Yes – Victorian Short Stay Levy: a 7.5% levy on short-stay accommodation revenue applies from 1 January 2025. Also ATO GST if turnover exceeds AUD 75,000. State Revenue Office (SRO) Victoria land tax applies to investment properties.
Permit Fee
Victorian registration fee: AUD 375 per property per year (as of 2025 commencement). Planning permit fees under Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's fees schedule vary (AUD 1,300–3,000+ for straightforward applications).
Primary Residence Rule
Not a blanket requirement, but Victoria's Short Stay Levy exempts principal place of residence for up to 180 days per year without levy obligation (conditions apply). Non-principal-residence properties face full levy.
Night / Day Cap
No hard statutory day cap statewide. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's planning scheme has been updated to treat frequent short-stay use of dwellings as a 'short-term rental accommodation' use requiring a planning permit in residential zones, effectively creating a permitting threshold. Council has proposed but not yet enacted hard caps as of August 2026.
Occupancy Limit
Set by planning permit conditions and the Building Code of Australia. Mornington Peninsula Shire has specific conditions limiting guests per property in residential areas.
Tax Rate
7.5% Victorian Short Stay Levy on gross short-stay revenue (effective 1 January 2025). GST 10% if applicable. Land tax varies (0.2%–2.55% of property value above threshold).
Zoning Restrictions
Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme: residential zones (GRZ, NRZ, LDRZ) require planning permits for short-term rental accommodation. Rural and green wedge zones have additional restrictions. The Peninsula is subject to Vegetation Protection Overlays and Environmental Significance Overlays that can affect permit outcomes.
Minimum Stay
No state-mandated minimum stay. Council planning permit conditions may impose minimums in sensitive areas.
Density Rules
Mornington Peninsula Shire has discussed density caps in high-impact areas (e.g., Sorrento, Portsea, Rye, Rosebud) but no confirmed hard neighbourhood quota rules enacted as of August 2026.
Insurance Required
Not legally mandated, but Victorian Registration requires properties to meet safety standards. Public liability insurance strongly recommended. Owners corporations (strata) may mandate insurance.
Platform Obligations
Under the Short Stay Levy Act 2025, booking platforms (Airbnb, Stayz etc.) operating in Victoria have data-sharing and levy-collection obligations. Platforms may be required to collect and remit the 7.5% levy on behalf of hosts.
Compliance Notes
Victoria's Short Stay Levy Act 2025 is a landmark reform making Victoria the first Australian state with a purpose-built short-stay levy. Mornington Peninsula Shire is one of the most impacted regions given high holiday demand and resident complaints. Council has concurrent planning enforcement powers.
Effective Date
Victorian Short Stay Levy Act 2025: 1 January 2025. Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme amendments: various, most recent significant STRA amendment 2023–2024.
Key Notes
The 7.5% levy revenue is partially directed to social and affordable housing. Hosts operating without registration face significant penalties. The Mornington Peninsula market is highly active (Portsea, Sorrento, Rye, Blairgowrie, Rosebud) and under close regulatory scrutiny. Some owners corporations in holiday apartment complexes have passed by-laws restricting or banning STRA.
Penalties
Operating without Victorian registration: fines up to AUD 9,913 (60 penalty units, 2025 rate). Non-payment of levy: interest and ATO-style enforcement by SRO Victoria. Planning permit breaches: Mornington Peninsula Shire can issue enforcement notices, fines up to AUD 99,132 (600 penalty units) under Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic).
Additional Context
Mornington Peninsula is designated as a 'significant impact area' by the Victorian Government due to housing affordability concerns. Council has actively advocated for further restrictions. The Victorian Government's review of the levy's impact is scheduled for 2027.
Sources
Short Stay Levy Act 2025 (Vic) (legislation.vic.gov.au)
Consumer Affairs Victoria (consumer.vic.gov.au/short-stay)
Mornington Peninsula Shire Planning Scheme (mpsc.vic.gov.au)
State Revenue Office Victoria (sro.vic.gov.au)
Victorian Department of Transport and Planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Mornington Peninsula?

Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Mornington Peninsula but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Victoria's Short Stay Levy Act 2025 is a landmark reform making Victoria the first Australian state with a purpose-built short-stay levy. Mornington Peninsula Shire is one of the most impacted regions

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Mornington Peninsula?

Yes. Mornington Peninsula requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes – Victoria introduced the Short Stay Levy Act 2025 and associated registration requirements effective 1 January 2025. All short-stay accommodation providers (rentals under 28 days) must register with the Victorian Government's short-stay accommodation register administered by Consumer Affairs Vi.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Mornington Peninsula?

Short-term rental hosts in Mornington Peninsula are subject to the following tax obligations: 7.5% Victorian Short Stay Levy on gross short-stay revenue (effective 1 January 2025). GST 10% if applicable. Land tax varies (0.2%–2.55% of property value above threshold)..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Mornington Peninsula?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Mornington Peninsula may face enforcement. Operating without Victorian registration: fines up to AUD 9,913 (60 penalty units, 2025 rate). Non-payment of levy: interest and ATO-style enforcement by SRO Victoria. Planning permit breaches: Mornington Peninsula Shire can issue enforcement notices.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Mornington Peninsula?

The 7.5% levy revenue is partially directed to social and affordable housing. Hosts operating without registration face significant penalties. The Mornington Peninsula market is highly active (Portsea, Sorrento, Rye, Blairgowrie, Rosebud) and under close regulatory scrutiny. Some owners corporations in holiday apartment complexes have passed by-laws restricting or banning STRA.

Search 1,026+ STR Jurisdictions

LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.

View in Full Database →