Short-Term Renting Your Home (FIFO) — Simple CGT Guide

🏡 Short-Term Renting Your Home (FIFO) — Simple CGT Guide
💡 Core Idea

If you work FIFO and rent out your home while you’re away, you can usually keep it CGT-free under the 6-year absence rule —
as long as:
✅ You lived in it first as your main home, and
✅ You don’t claim any other property as your main residence during that time.

🏠 When It Stays Fully CGT-Free

You can keep the full exemption if:

You lived there first before renting it out.

You rent the whole home only when you’re away.

You don’t nominate another home as your main residence.

You’re away for up to 6 years per absence (each time you move back in, the 6-year clock resets).

💰 When It Becomes Partly Taxable (Partial CGT)

CGT may apply if:

You rent out part of it while still living there (e.g. Airbnb a room).

You claim another property as your main residence at the same time.

You stay away longer than 6 years without moving back in.

✈️ FIFO Quick Examples

🟢 Example 1:
You live in your house between swings and rent it only when away →
✅ Full CGT exemption under 6-year rule.

🔵 Example 2:
You live there but rent a spare room on Airbnb →
⚠️ Partial CGT applies on sale.

🧾 Practical Tips

Record move-in and move-out dates carefully.

Keep all rental income and expense records (interest, rates, cleaning, fees, etc.).

Remember: you can only have one main residence at a time — choose wisely.

💬 One-Line Takeaway

👉 Rent your whole home only while you’re away and don’t claim another property as your main residence —
you can usually stay CGT-free for up to 6 years.