2026 compliance guide for real estate professionals • Reviewed September 10, 2026
Queensland has specific penalties under the Property Occupations Act 2014. The Office of Fair Trading enforces requirements for accurate property representations.
Property Occupations Act section 212 sets a maximum of 540 penalty units for an individual's false or misleading property representation. At A$172.70 per unit from July 1, 2026, that is A$93,258. Section 181B of the Penalties and Sentences Act allows a corporate maximum of five times the individual amount (A$466,290). Applicable ACL remedies may also apply; these are maximums, not automatic fines for every edited image.
No Queensland regulator rule prescribing both an image watermark and listing statement was located. Using both is prudent, but the controlling requirement is that the representation must not be false or misleading under §212 and the ACL.
Under the Property Occupations Act, any representation that could mislead a buyer about the property's true condition is prohibited. This means no removing walls, adding extensions, changing flooring, or altering gardens. Limit staging to moveable items only.
Use photographs that reflect the property's actual current condition. No fixed three-month photograph-age rule was identified in the reviewed sources. If seasonal changes significantly alter the property's appearance, consider updating both staged and unstaged photos.
Queensland properties often sell on lifestyle features like pools, patios, and gardens. Any proposed outdoor furniture staging must remain accurate in scale and presentation. Do not add landscaping, remove neighboring properties from views, or alter the pool's appearance. A label cannot correct a false impression of the outdoor space.
Section 212 uses 540 penalty units rather than a fixed dollar amount. Quote the units and current official value so the page does not become stale when Queensland indexes penalty units.
Describe the edits accurately and replace every bracketed placeholder. Check the required wording, image placement, MLS fields, and original-photo access described above. Use custom image labels only where permitted. A template does not authorise an otherwise prohibited or misleading alteration.
“The identified images have been digitally altered with virtual furniture and décor. These items are not physically present. View the corresponding original, unaltered photographs at: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“Digitally altered / virtually staged image. The furniture and décor shown were digitally added and are not physically present. View the original, unaltered image: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“This photograph has been digitally altered with virtual furniture and décor. These items are not physically present. Compare the clearly identified original, unaltered image shown alongside it or at: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“DIGITALLY ALTERED / VIRTUALLY STAGED – Original image: [PUBLIC URL OR QR CODE]”
Guide reviewed September 10, 2026. Links below include legislation, regulator guidance, and board or MLS materials. Their scope differs: a board rule is not statewide law, and a regulator homepage is not proof that no other rules exist. This guide does not verify every local MLS policy. Confirm the current requirements before publishing.
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