Why Choose Heartful Over Airbnb Australia?

When travelling in Australia, you deserve a platform whose values better align with your own, all the while offering greater value for money.

Here's a few reasons why we believe Heartful is fast becoming the booking platform of choice for ethically-minded domestic and international travellers in Australia:

Dramatically Lower Commission Rates

• Heartful: Currently just 7% commission on all bookings (increasing to 10% in early October 2025 with no plans to further increase this EVER)
• Airbnb: 14-16% single fee structure or 3% host + 14.2% guest fees
• Your Savings: Hosts save up to 9% per booking, guests avoid inflated prices and profits stay in Australia

Values-Driven Search Algorithm

Unlike Airbnb's review-heavy algorithm, Heartful prioritises the below features in its search results, incentivising hosts to continually improve the quality of their offerings over time:

• Sustainability features (solar power, composting, EV charging, no single-use plastics etc)
• Important, nuanced accessibility information (wheelchair access, sensory-friendly spaces, stays and experiences at a variety of price points, reasonable cancellation policies )
• Local community impact, partnerships and cultural diversity
• Environmental certifications and eco-friendly practices

100% Australian Owned 

While Airbnb Australia sends profits to its parent company in the US, Heartful keeps investment local:

• Female-founded - Victorian entrepreneur Jen Clark started the company in 2023
• All profits are reinvested straight back into Australian communities
• Deep understanding of key accessibility and sustainability needs informed directly by lived experience

Inclusion Is In Our Brand DNA

Heartful was built from the ground up for travellers with diverse need and features:

• Comprehensive accessibility filters unavailable on Airbnb
• An LGBTQIA+ friendly verification system affiliated with Welcome With Pride
• Properties accommodating diverse body types, life stages and group sizes
• Sensory-friendly accommodation options for neurodivergent guests

Supporting Local Communities

Every Heartful booking directly benefits Australian communities through our focus on locally-owned, authentic short stays and high quality, carefully curated tourism experiences that celebrate cultural diversity, respect our heritage and support regional economies.

Next time you travel, choose Heartful instead of Airbnb to help build an Australian tourism sector that better serves and reflects your values while keeping more money in your pocket and helping ensure our regional communities continue to thrive.