Airbnb could soon be legalised across NSW if a yet-to-be-released official report is adopted by the Baird Government.
The report, to be tabled in parliament on Wednesday, comes after an 18-month-long NSW parliamentary inquiry into the short-term rental accommodation market that's dominated by Airbnb, according to Fairfax Media.
If it's adopted by the government, the report would result in statewide oversight of home sharing for the first time, replacing the current approach by individual councils.
At the moment, home owners risk big fines hiring out spare rooms on Airbnb and other internet-based "sharing economy" platforms.
Airbnb Australia Country Manager Sam McDonagh said the company hoped the report would be taken up by the government.
"This is great news for the thousands of everyday people making a little extra income opening their homes to travelers across New South Wales," he said.
"For a lot of Australian families, the opportunity to list their home on Airbnb makes a real difference to paying off the mortgage, electricity bills and other daily expenses. It's a modest but welcome boost to the hip pocket for many."