Sunshine Coast Short-Term Rental Rules Reshape Housing Supply in Maroochydore

The Short-Term Rental Regulation Bill, passed in the Queensland Parliament in June 2026, caps the number of nights a property can be let on platforms such as Airbnb in designated zones. The measure applies directly to residents in Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and parts of Caloundra where holiday letting has grown in recent years.

Why the timing matters for local voters

Queensland state seats on the Sunshine Coast go to the polls later this year. Candidates from both major parties have listed housing supply as a key local issue during community forums held at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital precinct. The bill comes into force on 1 January 2027 and requires operators to register with local councils, a step that policy analysts say will reduce the pool of properties previously used for short stays.

Long-term renters in the region currently compete with visitors for housing stock near the coast. Local advocates note that families seeking three-bedroom homes within ten kilometres of schools in Buderim or Mountain Creek may see more listings move back to the permanent rental market once the nightly cap applies. The legislation states that properties must not exceed 60 nights of short-term use per calendar year without council approval.

Budget figures and expected supply shift

The 2025-26 Queensland Budget papers allocate $4.8 million over two years for compliance monitoring by local government authorities, including Sunshine Coast Council. The government says the policy will return an estimated 1,200 dwellings to long-term rental across coastal Queensland electorates, though the precise figure for the Sunshine Coast remains subject to registration data collected after the start date.

Residents employed at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital or the airport precinct stand to benefit if vacancy rates rise and weekly rents ease. Conversely, owners who rely on holiday income will need to adjust their financial planning before the new rules begin. What happens next is a six-month registration window that opens on 1 July 2026, followed by enforcement checks conducted by council officers.