Canberra

As of May 2026, Canberra has 1,391 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 2% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Canberra generates A$44K per year. High-performing properties earn A$63K/year, while low-performing properties earn A$16K/year. The substantial revenue gap suggests that market returns are highly sensitive to property positioning, as the supply contraction has not prevented a decline in overall market earnings.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Canberra. Average annual revenue is A$44K with 51% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to A$63K/year. The 51% occupancy rate indicates a moderate utilization environment where top performers capture a disproportionate share of available demand despite the slight reduction in aggregate market supply.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Canberra is 51%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of A$219, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of A$84 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Canberra, with annual revenue of A$77K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Canberra market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Canberra area. Canberra: Lenient. No specific short-term rental permits or registration required. Must comply with standard lease agreements and body corporate rules if applicable. No owner-occupancy requirements or rental caps. Minimal enforcement - operates under general tenancy and planning laws. Hosts largely self-regulate through platforms. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Canberra Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 2% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 7%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The concurrent drop in both inventory and revenue suggests that demand is softening at a rate that offsets the reduction in available listings.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak winter season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -36% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (August-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Canberra listings include: Kitchen (98%), Tv (97%), Washing Machine (96%), Air Conditioning (96%), Heating (80%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Air Conditioning, Heating, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 26% more (A$48K/year vs A$38K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Canberra over the last 12 months: May: A$2K, June: A$2K, July: A$3K, August: A$2K, September: A$3K, October: A$3K, November: A$3K, December: A$3K, January: A$3K, February: A$2K, March: A$3K, April: A$3K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Canberra is A$219, up 11% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average A$169/night, 2-bedroom properties average A$230/night, 3-bedroom properties average A$286/night, 4+ bedroom properties average A$387/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Canberra book an average of 30 days in advance, down 9% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 32 days, 3-bedroom: 29 days, 4+ bedroom: 30 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Canberra Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 2%, revenue per listing decreased 7%, occupancy fell 9%, average nightly rates increased 11%, and lead time decreased 9%. These metrics highlight a trend of aggressive pricing strategies amidst shrinking occupancy, signaling that hosts are attempting to defend margins against lower booking volume.

In Canberra, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 14% higher occupancy than weekdays.