The future of flexible living is at your fingertips thanks to Airbnb’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Inspired by the growing blur between living, working and travel, Airbnb has announced the launch of Live Anywhere on Airbnb – a program for 12 individuals* to live exclusively in Airbnb listings for approximately one year for free**.

Whether it’s hosting Zoom meetings by the beach, taking the family on the ultimate road trip or getting your hands dirty in the outback, participants can make anywhere their home for a year.

The only catch? You have to share your experiences with Airbnb to help inform future product upgrades and innovations on the platform to better accommodate nomadic living.

Airbnb will cover the cost of accommodations and provide an allowance for transportation throughout the duration of the program.

According to the Airbnb Report on Travel & Living, the share of long-term stays (28 days or longer) on Airbnb increased by 10 per cent when comparing 2019 to Q1 2021. And 11 per cent of their long-term stayers in 2021 reported living a nomadic lifestyle, with 74 per cent of consumers surveyed across five countries (including Australia) expressing interest in living someplace other than where their employer is based after the pandemic is over.

The report also found that the percentage of rural nights booked in Australia jumped from 18 per cent for winter 2019 to 42 per cent in 2021, fueling demand for rural listings and unique homes like farm stays. Interestingly, families are leading the redistribution of travel using homes for longer stays to live anywhere, together. Almost half of Australians (47 per cent) say who they’re with and what they do together is the most important factor when planning travel this year.

Through this program participants will provide real-world insights on features,  services and the experience of living nomadically that could help shape the future of long-term living on Airbnb, including:

• Product changes and resources that could help improve the long-term living experience
• Ideal types of accommodations for solo travellers or groups like families
• Connections to local community members and businesses
• A better understanding of the financial benefits of hosting while travelling

From young families to remote workers, creatives, empty nesters and more; Airbnb is seeking a diverse set of 12 individuals from across the globe who can be part of the program for 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022. Airbnb will assist with listing suggestions, local experiences and more.

“This is a unique opportunity for Aussies to be selected for a once-in-a-lifetime year-long trip,” says Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s country manager for Australia and New Zealand.

“Whether you’re a family who’s always dreamed about taking the kids on a farm stay adventure across rural Australia or a sun-seeking beach-lover who wants to spend the next year waking up in beautiful tropical north Queensland, this program aims to give 12 lucky people (and their companions) ultimate flexibility when it comes to blurring the lines between living, working and travelling.”

Participants who also choose to host their primary residence on Airbnb during the program will be able to test the experience and opportunity of hosting while living nomadically, by potentially earning extra money while they travel. It’s possible for anyone who wants to host and take advantage of the coming travel surge. For new listings that were activated and booked in Q1 2021, 50 per cent received a reservation request within four days of activation.

Those interested in embarking on their own nomadic adventure can submit their applications via Airbnb’s website before Wednesday 30 June 2021. The 12 participants will be curated by a panel of interviewers in July and, once selected, will begin travelling from September 2021.

Participants will gain experience on how to live on Airbnb from Airbnb product and research team members and Live Anywhere experts, including experienced digital nomads like travelling journalist Imani Bashir. For more information, see the selection terms.

*Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Each participant will be allowed to bring up to three companions to be part of the program.

**The program is 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022, 10 of which will include travelling to and living in listings on Airbnb.

Love remote travelling? Then you’ll love Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Here are 6 reasons why you must travel to Ningaloo Reef in 2021. And if you seek a winter wonderland, the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales is your best bet. Here’s our ultimate travel guide for the Snowy Mountains, Australia.