How to Set Up an Airbnb in Australia - Complete Beginner’s Guide (with downloadable checklist)

Before we dive in, download your free Airbnb Roadmap here - a simple checklist that walks you through all the stages of the airbnb journey, from purchasing your property all the way to launching your listing and managing reviews. It’s the exact framework we use with our clients, and it’s a great way to get your head around everything that’s involved with starting your own airbnb.

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Starting an Airbnb in Australia can feel exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. When you are new to hosting it is hard to know where to begin. You want to create a beautiful space that guests love but you also want to set things up properly from the start so your property performs well and runs smoothly behind the scenes. Over the years we have learned that great hosting is a blend of thoughtful design, reliable systems and a genuine love of creating a warm experience for guests.

This beginner’s guide is designed to give you a clear understanding of what is involved and to help you start your hosting journey with confidence. Every home is different and every host has their own goals so treat this as a helpful overview rather than a rigid checklist. If you prefer support tailored to your specific situation we offer different packages and types of support depending on your needs, but this guide will give you a solid foundation to educate yourself to start.

Choosing the Right Property

Not every home makes a great Airbnb and that is completely okay. The layout matters, the flow matters, and the location matters more than most people realise. Look for a property that makes sense for short-stay guests. Easy access. Good parking. Not too much maintenance. Close to something people actually travel for. In Australia you also need to be aware of local council regulations so make sure you check your area early on. Think about what type of guests you might attract and what your neighbour situation looks like. Safety and building compliance is another important aspect (and often a necessary requirement to meet in some states of Australia before you can even list), so keep this in mind as well when you’re assessing a property you’re thinking about listing.

If you already own a place you are thinking of airbnb-ing, make sure you go over these details. If you’re on the hunt and analyising potential properties specificially to airbnb that is probably an even more ideal scinareo as you have the vision set from the start. This is the stage where many of our clients reach out for help because choosing the wrong property can be expensive. It is worth getting this part right.

Preparing the Home

Once you have the right property the next step is preparing it for guests. Think of this as creating a fresh foundation. A deep clean is essential. Repair anything loose, tired or unsafe. Test your hot water capacity and even electrical capacity. Set up reliable wifi. Install a smart TV or streaming device. Make sure everything works before you start styling. A home that feels well cared for and is reliable creates trust and a basis for good reviews long before a guest arrives.

Styling and Furnishing Your Space

Styling plays a huge role in how well your Airbnb performs. Guests book based on how a space feels in photos and review based on how comfortable it is once they arrive. You do not need to spend a fortune but you do need to be intentional. Choose a theme - this could be anything from rustic farmhouse, modern coastal to psychadellic 70s - it’s totally up to you! Try and think about what experience you want your guests to have, and in the same token, do you think there will be enough guests who would book this? You may be a full on barbie fanatic and neiche down to a fully pink dollhouse airbnb, but how many people do you think might realistically book this? It’s all a balance.

If you’re wanting a safe bet, opt for a calm colour palette. Mix texture. Use lighting to soften each room. Invest in quality beds and linen because sleep is one of the biggest contributors to reviews. Think in zones. For example - a living area that invites people to sink in and get cozy. A dining area that seats the maximum number of guests comfortably. Bedrooms that feel soft and restful. Styling is something we love and it is where our setup and styling service becomes very specific to you. But even at a good basic start level, a good goal is to create a space that feels warm, honest and uncluttered.

Stocking Your Airbnb Essentials

This part is often underestimated. Guests expect a home that is fully equipped and the quickest way to receive negative feedback is to overlook the simple essentials. We break this stage into two clear categories because each one plays a different role in your hosting journey.

The first is your setup purchases which are ideally once off items that form the foundation of your home. Think quality cookware, a full dinner set, decent knives, extra bedding, spare sets of towels and the appliances that make day to day living feel seamless. Signage for your spaces, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, bins, highchairs, port-cots, lamps, toasters, baking trays, a coffee machine… the list goes on. These are the things you buy once and then ideally maintain over time.

The second category is your ongoing consumables which you will be replacing regularly based on how often you host. This includes everything from toilet paper and shampoo to coffee, tea, laundry supplies, cleaning products, spare light bulbs, batteries and all the little items that keep the home running smoothly. You can get creative and have these items go with your story/theme or just keep it standard. Completely up to you. These products seem small but they shape the guest experience more than most people realise.

If you want the complete list we have created a free downloadable checklist specfically for set up items that breaks down both categories room by room, you can download it here.

Creating Your Listing

Once your home is ready it is time to create a listing that feels clear and inviting. Professional photos are worth every cent. They do more for your bookings than almost anything else. Write a description that is warm and honest. Highlight the unique features. Share the story of the space. Make sure your amenities list is accurate and comprehensive.

This is also where you set your house rules. Keep them firm but fair. Setting these expectations early solves a lot of issues later.

This might be also where you consider listing on multiple platforms (such as booking.com, VRBO and airbnb as three good starter platforms) and using something called a ‘channel manager’ to make sure you don’t run into trouble of double bookings and maintaining consistancy with each of the listings.

Pricing Your Property

Pricing is one of the most powerful levers in your hosting business. It affects your bookings your revenue and your occupancy. In Australia pricing can shift with the seasons, public holidays and local events. Research similar listings and note their nightly rates, cleaning fees and calendars. Look at what they charge midweek compared to weekends. You can use strategies within the pricing system itself, for example when will you start offering last minute discounts? Do you charge a flat rate for the entire property nomatter what or have a more ‘per person per night’ structure? Do you display your cleaning fee or integrate it in to your overall pricing? Just some things to consider.

Also it’s importnat to think about your goals, as well as your own personal financial position with your property. Do you own the property outright or have a mortgage on it? Are you cleaning yourself or outsourcing this? It’s essential to run the numbers to see where the price is right for you. It is normal to adjust pricing often especially in your first few months.

Setting Up Your Systems

This is the part most new hosts do not realise they need until they are in the thick of it. Hosting requires reliable systems for messaging, check in, check out, cleaning, scheduling maintenance and troubleshooting. The more you automate the smoother everything becomes. Set up saved automatic messages and templates. Create a clear cleaning schedule. Have spare keys and a secure lockbox. Build a little guidebook for your guests with instructions and local recommendations and FAQs. We have learned that the right systems and good communication successfully sets expectations, and can turn hosting from stressful to streamlined and simple.

Launch Day

Before you hit publish on your listing do one last run through. Test every light. Check the wifi. Stand in each room and ask yourself how a guest would feel stepping into this space. Re-read your check in instructions to make sure they make sense. And then celebrate the moment because pressing publish is a big milestone! Now all you need is that first booking!

Ongoing Hosting and Management

Once you are live on Airbnb the real hosting work begins. Cleaning and linen turnover between guests. Responding to messages quickly. Restocking consumables. Adjusting prices for seasonal changes. Handling repairs. Managing reviews (and compliants/feedback which is inevitable no matter how amazing your listing or hosting is). Maintaining the standard you set from the beginning. Whether you are DIY hosting or considering management, the most important thing is consistency. Guests book based on trust, and trust is built through a home that feels cared for every single stay.

Final Thoughts

Hosting an Airbnb in Australia can be incredibly rewarding when it is done thoughtfully. You learn so much along the way nomatter how much research or planing you do, and every host’s journey looks a little different. We created this guide to help you start with clarity but if you ever want support with setup, styling or ongoing management, reach out too us.