Is virtual staging legal in Australia?

Yes. The Australian Consumer Law bans misleading or deceptive conduct, so staged photos must not misrepresent the property. State regulators such as NSW Fair Trading also say agents must not digitally add or remove features.

Rules last checked October 23, 2026.

Virtual staging in Australia

Stage empty rooms for realestate.com.au and Domain in seconds. Below is what the portals, the Australian Consumer Law and state regulators say about virtually staged and AI-edited photos, checked against the original source.

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What Australian agents need to do

realestate.com.au allows AI-generated or AI-edited images only if they are not likely to mislead and the AI use is clearly disclosed in a prominent location on or next to the image. Breaches can lead to the listing or subscription being suspended.
Domain requires listing images to be current and unembellished. It does not say whether virtual staging counts as embellished, so label staged photos and keep a current photograph as the main image.
NSW Fair Trading says agents must not digitally add or remove features, and Consumer Affairs Victoria says photos must not be enhanced to hide undesirable features. Add furniture only.
NSW rentals: a new law, announced to start in early 2027, will require rental ads to state that images are digitally generated or altered where they could mislead.

This is a summary for agents, not legal advice.

Rules for virtually staged photos in Australia

Each rule was read in its original source. Quotes are verbatim; summaries are ours.

realestate.com.au Acceptable Use Policy: undisclosed and misleading use of AI

Covers edited or staged images

Australia · Portal rule · In force · realestate.com.au Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) - Residential, cl. 4.1.40; see also cl. 4.1.27 (misleading or deceptive conduct) and cl. 5.2 (breach)

REA does not allow photos, video or other listing content generated or edited with AI tools unless two conditions are met. The content must not be likely to mislead buyers or renters about the property's nature, condition or features or the surrounding area. The AI use must also be clearly disclosed in a prominent place on or next to the content.

Disclosure: AI use must be clearly disclosed in a prominent location on or adjacent to the relevant content.
Original photo: Not specified
Penalty: Breach may lead to suspension or deletion of a listing, refusal to upload, reduced visibility of agent or agency profiles, or suspension or termination of the subscription (cl. 5.2).
Effective: Not stated
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“generated or edited using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, except where: (a) the content is not likely to mislead ... and (b) the AI usage is clearly disclosed in a prominent location on or adjacent to the relevant content.”

Source: Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) - Residential - About realestate.com.au

The clause covers content made with AI tools. Virtual staging done manually without AI is covered only by the general ban on misleading or deceptive conduct in cl. 4.1.27. The policy does not use the term 'virtual staging' and gives no date for the clause.

NSW Fair Trading advertising guidelines for property agents: photographs

Covers edited or staged images

New South Wales · Regulator guidance · Guidance · NSW Government (Fair Trading), 'Advertising guidelines for property agents in NSW', section 'False, misleading or deceptive advertising'

Agents must not modify photos, or allow them to be modified, so that they no longer truthfully and fairly represent the property. They must not change a property's appearance by digitally removing or adding features, though adjusting lighting only to compensate for poor lighting may be acceptable. Photos touched up to hide undesirable characteristics or enhance other features could mislead.

Disclosure: Not specified for edited photos. Photos not taken on the property should be labelled 'location shot'.
Original photo: Not specified
Penalty: The page states the maximum penalty for breaching ACL s 30 as $220,000 for a person and $1.1 million for a company. It also notes that damages can be claimed under s 53 of the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002.
Effective: Not stated
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“change the appearance of a property by digitally removing or adding features (adjusting the lighting effects only to compensate for poor lighting may be acceptable)”

Source: Advertising guidelines for property agents in NSW | NSW Government

The guidelines do not say whether movable furniture counts as a 'feature' of the property, so how they apply to virtual staging is unclear. The penalty figures quoted on the page may be outdated compared with current ACL maximums, which we did not verify. The page also cites the repealed Trade Practices Act 1974 through an old ACCC guide.

NSW Residential Tenancies Act s 22B(2): disclosure of digitally generated or altered images in rental ads

Covers edited or staged images

New South Wales · Law · Announced · Residential Tenancies Amendment (Protection of Personal Information) Bill 2025 (NSW), Sch 1[3], proposed s 22B(2) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010

For residential rental ads only, a landlord or agent must not include digitally generated or altered images that would be reasonably likely to mislead or deceive unless the ad states that the images are digitally generated or altered, plus any information the regulations prescribe. The Secretary may issue guidelines on when such images are likely to mislead. The NSW Government says the Bill passed Parliament and the laws are expected to start in early 2027.

Disclosure: The advertisement or offer must state that the images are digitally generated or altered, plus any other information prescribed by regulations. The Bill does not specify placement.
Original photo: Not specified
Penalty: Maximum 50 penalty units for an individual or 200 penalty units otherwise (Bill as introduced). The NSW Government's June 2025 release gave these as $5,500 and $22,000.
Effective: Not stated
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“must not include in an advertisement or other offer relating to residential premises offered for rent digitally generated or altered images that would be reasonably likely to mislead or deceive a person unless the following is stated”

Source: Residential Tenancies Amendment (Protection of Personal Information) Bill 2025, First print (Wayback Machine capture of NSW Parliament PDF)

Medium confidence: see the note below.

We read the first-print Bill, not the Act as assented. The NSW Parliament and NSW legislation sites returned HTTP 403. The NSW ministerial release of 25 Sep 2026 (https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/renters-get-landmark-protections-against-privacy-breaches-and-misleading-rental-ads) confirms passage and says commencement is 'expected' in early 2027 by proclamation. Amendments during passage, section numbering and the commencement date are unverified. The rule covers rentals only, not sales, and applies only to images 'reasonably likely to mislead or deceive'.

Consumer Affairs Victoria: estate agent advertising and representations

Covers edited or staged images

Victoria · Regulator guidance · Guidance · Consumer Affairs Victoria, 'Advertising and representations' (estate agents: running your business)

Victorian estate agents should not use photographs that give the wrong impression of a property. This includes photos digitally or otherwise enhanced to hide undesirable features or promote other features. The guidance does not mention virtual staging or AI, and it does not set a labelling requirement.

Disclosure: Not specified
Original photo: Not specified
Effective: Not stated
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“You should not use photographs that give the wrong impression of a property. These include photographs that are: ... digitally or otherwise enhanced to hide undesirable features or promote other features.”

Source: Advertising and representations – estate agent obligations - Consumer Affairs Victoria

The page was last updated 9 September 2026. It is guidance on how the misleading-conduct laws apply, not a standalone rule.

Queensland Office of Fair Trading: photo editing and marketing responsibilities

Covers edited or staged images

Queensland · Regulator guidance · Guidance · Article by Craig Turner, Acting Executive Director, Office of Fair Trading, published by REIQ, 22 Nov 2019 (refers to ACL and Property Occupations Act 2014)

The OFT says retouching that materially changes an image, or the impression it gives, could be misleading. Its examples include artificially lightening wall colour, making rooms or outdoor areas look bigger, and editing out power lines, trees or neighbouring objects. Cleaning and adding lighting before the shoot is not misleading. Virtual staging and adding furniture are not addressed.

Disclosure: Not specified
Original photo: Not specified
Effective: November 22, 2019
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“Any re-touching undertaken that materially changes the image, or the perception the image gives, could be considered misleading.”

Source: Photo editing and marketing responsibilities - REIQ

Medium confidence: see the note below.

A regulator official wrote this article, but it is hosted on the industry body's site (REIQ), not qld.gov.au, and it dates from 2019. The current qld.gov.au 'Property advertising' page (last updated 1 July 2026) does not discuss photos.

Domain Group General Terms and Conditions: requirements for imagery

Listing photos must be accurate

Australia · Portal rule · In force · Domain Group General Terms and Conditions (last updated 6 May 2026), cl. 2.3.10 'Requirements for Imagery and Videography'; 'Your Content' warranties

Listing images must be current and unembellished representations of the property: photographs, floor plans or clearly labelled 'lifestyle' images of the location. The main image must be a current photograph of the property. Advertisers also warrant that their content is not misleading or deceptive. The terms do not mention virtual staging, AI or digital alteration.

Disclosure: Not specified for edited photos. 'Lifestyle' images must be clearly marked as such with clear text.
Original photo: Not specified. The main image must be a current photograph of the property.
Effective: July 1, 2026
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“images submitted for inclusion in a Listing are current and unembellished representations of the Opportunity, being either: photographs; floor plans; or ‘lifestyle’ images of the location.”

Source: Domain Group General Terms and Conditions - Domain (Wayback Machine capture of 11 May 2026)

Medium confidence: see the note below.

The live page returned HTTP 403, so the text comes from an archived copy dated 11 May 2026. The terms applied to new customers from 6 May 2026 and to all customers from 1 July 2026. Domain does not say whether virtual staging counts as 'embellished'. We have not inferred that it is banned.

Australian Consumer Law s 18: misleading or deceptive conduct

General advertising law

Australia · Law · In force · Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law), s 18

A general ban on conduct in trade or commerce that is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive. The section does not mention photographs. State regulators apply it to edited property photos (see the NSW and Victoria guidance).

Disclosure: Not specified
Original photo: Not specified
Effective: Not stated
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“A person must not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive.”

Source: Competition and Consumer Act 2010, compilation in force 16 September 2026, Volume 4 (Schedule 2), Federal Register of Legislation

Remedies such as injunctions, damages and compensation are in Part 5-2. We did not verify whether a pecuniary penalty applies to s 18 itself, so penalty is left null.

Australian Consumer Law s 30: false or misleading representations about sale of land

General advertising law

Australia · Law · In force · Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law), s 30(1)(e) (offence equivalent: s 152)

In connection with selling or promoting an interest in land, a person must not make false or misleading representations about matters including the land's characteristics, location, price or associated facilities. The section does not mention photographs.

Disclosure: Not specified
Original photo: Not specified
Penalty: A note to s 30 states that a pecuniary penalty may be imposed. Section 152 makes the equivalent conduct a criminal offence. Penalty amounts were not reviewed.
Effective: Not stated
Last verified: October 23, 2026

“in connection with the promotion by any means of the sale or grant of an interest in land: ... (e) make a false or misleading representation concerning the characteristics of the land;”

Source: Competition and Consumer Act 2010, compilation in force 16 September 2026, Volume 4 (Schedule 2), Federal Register of Legislation

Section 30 covers the sale or grant of an interest in land. Its application to rental advertising was not analysed. Section 29 (goods and services) is the provision usually cited for general advertising.

What we could not verify

We list these so you know to check them yourself. We do not publish a rule we could not read in its source.

NSW Residential Tenancies Amendment (Protection of Personal Information) Act as assented (reported as 2026 No 38) and its commencement proclamation: legislation.nsw.gov.au and parliament.nsw.gov.au returned HTTP 403 (bot protection). Assent date and Act number come only from search-result summaries. The final s 22B text and start date are unconfirmed.
Domain help centre article 'Breach listings, images and URLs': help.domain.com.au returned HTTP 403 and no archived copy exists. Search snippets suggest it covers collages and neighbourhood images but could not be checked.
Queensland OFT targeted compliance checks (from Aug 2026) on AI and digitally enhanced property ads: Mentioned only in a search summary of secondary coverage. No OFT or Queensland Government statement was found.
ACCC guidance specific to real estate photographs: No current ACCC real-estate photo guidance was found. One old ACCC speech to REIV mentions 'alteration of photographs' as a concern, but no resulting guideline was located. The general ACCC Advertising and selling guide was not reviewed.
REINSW / REIV guidance on virtual staging: No primary REINSW or REIV document on virtual staging or edited photos was located. These are industry bodies whose guidance has no legal force.
Current ACL maximum penalties (s 224): Secondary sources and CAV cite a company maximum of $50 million, but the s 224 text was not extracted and checked, so no penalty amount is published for the ACL rules.

How RoomStage helps you stay within the rules

RoomStage only adds furniture and decor: walls, windows, floors and views stay as photographed.
Each staged image can carry a label, and the original stays in your project so you can publish both.
Prices are in AUD and you can cancel any time.

What it costs

RoomStage Pro is A$90 a month for 30 images, about A$3 each. Starter is A$30 a month for 10 images, and you can try a photo free first.

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Questions about virtual staging in Australia

Can I use virtually staged photos on realestate.com.au?: Yes, if they are not likely to mislead and the AI use is clearly disclosed in a prominent location on or adjacent to the image, as realestate.com.au's Acceptable Use Policy requires.
Is virtual staging legal in Australia?: Yes. The Australian Consumer Law bans misleading or deceptive conduct, so staged photos must not misrepresent the property. State regulators such as NSW Fair Trading also say agents must not digitally add or remove features.