250
properties under management across Victoria
75%
average occupancy across the portfolio
25%
more income than the same home let long-term
4.7
average guest rating

Victoria is a state with something for everyone. From the cosy relaxation of the Mornington Peninsula to the bustling streets of Melbourne brimming with cafes, art and culture, there are so many reasons for people to visit. So, if you’re thinking about getting into Melbourne’s Airbnb short-stay rental market, it’s important that you do what you can to stand out, which is where OptiNest comes in.
At OptiNest, our goal is to maximise your Airbnb short-stay rental income through comprehensive Airbnb rental management in Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula & regional Victoria.
Say goodbye to the hassle of preparing, maintaining and cleaning your Airbnb rental for each new guest, and let OptiNest handle it for you. Our experienced team of cleaners, management specialists and more has the skills and knowledge necessary to optimise your entire rental income strategy from start to finish, all whilst providing you with some much-needed peace of mind.
As a trusted, reliable Airbnb management service in Melbourne, we take into consideration a wide array of factors, such as your property type, location, and individual situation. Once we are confident in our understanding of your property, we create a bespoke, fully-optimised rental model for you.
This means you enjoy more money with less work; it’s a win-win situation.











Yes, we manage Airbnb properties all around Victoria including greater Melbourne, Mornington Peninsular, Geelong, Ballarat and more than that. Please call us on 1800 550 888 for more information.
It depends on suburbs, property types and seasonality. A short answer according to a research in 2021 by AirDNA, it is averagely 72%. Airbnb averaged $151 per night throughout the Melbourne area, with an occupancy rate of 72%.
Though best known for its coffee, food and cultural scene, Melbourne also has its fair share of charming beaches. When it comes to Melbourne beaches, most people think of St. Kilda. It's true, St. Kilda beach screams seaside vibes and long summer days on the ocean. But Melbourne isn't a one beach city. For those of you who love spending your holidays on the beach, Melbourne doesn't disappoint. Below are some of the most popular and famous suburbs for beaches:
Immigrants from all over the world, particularly China and the Americas, helped influence Melbourne's culture during the 1850s Victorian gold rush and the decades that followed. Melbourne has given rise to a multitude of distinct cultural qualities and institutions over time, and it is now one of the world's most multicultural cities. It's a melting pot of creativity expressed in its arts, design, fashion, and events, and it's a city that inspires. Victoria celebrates a strong artistic culture that is ready to be explored, from theatre shows and live music to comedy clubs and fashion shows.
Yes, Airbnb is legal in Melbourne. As long as you have the rights to lease your space. Any accommodation advertised must not violate the lease or rental agreements and must comply with all applicable zoning laws - according to Airbnb terms and conditions.
So as long as you own the house/apartment or have permission from the property owner and align with the zoning restrictions, you are free to list your Airbnb properties to earn short rental income.
When we say that our success hinges on your success, we mean it. Aside from a one-off listing fee, the price of which will depend on the readiness of your property, our only charge is a 18% ongoing fee plus GST. The listing fee includes all the work that needs to be done to get your property ready for listing, including cleaning, linens, professional photography and more. No hidden fees, just great service at a reasonable price.




Melbourne is our largest market. We manage 250 short-stay properties across the city and the rest of Victoria, which is enough of a sample to know what a given apartment in Southbank or a house in Brighton actually does over a year rather than what a yield calculator says it should.
The city is unusual among Australian short-stay markets because its demand is not seasonal in one direction. Summer brings the tennis and the festival run, winter brings football and conferences, and the CBD and inner north keep a weekday corporate base that coastal markets do not have. A property priced the same in February and July leaves money on the table twice.
We cover the CBD and the inner ring, the bayside, the inner north and east, and down the Mornington Peninsula. We have dedicated pages for Southbank, Docklands, South Yarra, St Kilda, Brighton, Richmond, Collingwood, Fitzroy and Frankston. If your suburb is not listed, ask: the team covers more than the pages do.
Since 1 January 2025 Victoria has charged a 7.5% short stay levy on the total booking fee for stays of less than 28 consecutive days. Booking platforms collect it on platform bookings and the owner or manager remits it on direct bookings. A principal place of residence is exempt. This is the single biggest thing that changed about running a Melbourne short stay in the last two years, and it is why a forecast built on pre-2025 numbers will be wrong. We account for the levy before your payout rather than leaving you to reconcile it.
A levy is a cost you can model. A body corporate that prohibits short stays is a problem you cannot. Melbourne has a lot of apartment stock where the owners corporation restricts or bans short-term letting, and the rules differ building to building. We check your building’s position before we list anything, because finding out afterwards is expensive.
The service is the same as everywhere else we operate: multi-platform listing and channel management, dynamic pricing, 24-hour guest communication, guest vetting, an exit check after every stay, cleaning and hotel-grade linen, maintenance, insurance-backed claims handling, and a Melbourne-based team with a named account manager. Full detail is on property management, and the fee is 18% of rental income plus GST with a one-off $880 to get listed.
If your Melbourne property is currently leased long term and you want to compare both models before committing, start with the switch.
Victoria charges a short stay levy of 7.5% on the total booking fee for stays of less than 28 consecutive days. It started on 1 January 2025 and is collected by the booking platform, or remitted by the owner or manager on direct bookings. A principal place of residence is exempt. We account for the levy as part of managing your property, so it is handled before your payout rather than turning up as a surprise. The current rules are published by the Victorian State Revenue Office.
A professional shoot before the listing goes live.
A full fit-out, with finance available over up to 12 months.
Short stay, long lease, or both across the same year.
Listing, pricing, guests, cleaning and maintenance under one fee.
Peak summer demand, and owners who use the house themselves.
Harbour-view apartments, and demand that moves with Marvel Stadium.
Smith Street terraces and weekend visitors, minutes from the CBD.
18% of rental income plus GST, and a one-off $880.