A Form 6 is the appointment document you sign to authorise a real estate agent to act for you in Queensland. It is required under the Property Occupations Act 2014, and no agent can lawfully market or sell your property without one.
What is a Form 6 in Queensland real estate?
The PO Form 6 (short for Property Occupations Form 6) is the prescribed appointment form issued by the Office of Fair Trading. It records who the client is, who the agent is, the service being provided (sale, auction, or letting), the property, the term of the appointment, commission, marketing costs, and any other authorised expenses.
Where to get the official Form 6
The Form 6 is a Queensland Government prescribed form under the Property Occupations Act 2014. The current residential version took effect on 1 May 2024. Your agent provides it for you to sign before they start any work, including advertising. You can read a copy of the official form on the Queensland Government publications website, so you know what to expect before an agent brings one to your kitchen table.
What does the Form 6 authorise?
Depending on how it is completed, the Form 6 authorises the agent to market and sell (or lease) your property, sign certain documents on your behalf, receive the deposit into a trust account, and incur agreed marketing costs. It also sets whether the appointment is sole, exclusive, or open, which affects who is entitled to commission if the property sells.
How is commission set?
Commission in Queensland is fully negotiable. The Form 6 must state the commission clearly, either as a percentage of the sale price, a fixed amount, or a scale (for example, a base rate plus a share above a target). Any performance bonuses must also be spelled out.
What about marketing costs?
The Form 6 must itemise or cap marketing costs. You should see the total budget, what it covers (photography, floor plan, portal listings, signboard, social media, print if any), and whether it is payable upfront, at settlement, or on invoice. A vague "marketing to be agreed" section is not good enough.
How long is the appointment for?
For a sale, the appointment can be sole or exclusive for a fixed period (commonly 60 to 90 days) and then continue as an open listing until terminated. The termination period is stated in the form. For auctions, the sole or exclusive period usually runs to the auction date plus a short post-auction window.
Why the Form 6 protects sellers
Because it forces every material term to be in writing before the property is marketed. You know exactly what you will pay, to whom, and when. If a term is not on the Form 6, the agent cannot lawfully charge it.
What sellers should check before signing
Every dollar. Read the commission clause, the marketing schedule, the term, the termination notice period, and any bonus or referral fees. If anything is unclear, ask for it to be reworded in plain English. A good agent will welcome the questions.
How a Form 6 appointment ends
A Form 6 ends when its term runs out, or earlier if you and the agent agree in writing. Part 5 of the form sets out the termination rules for your type of appointment, including any written notice period and minimum term. Read that part before you sign, and again before you try to end it.
If you are thinking about changing agents, check three things first: the end date of the sole or exclusive period, the notice period in Part 5, and whether commission could still be payable to the first agent if a buyer they introduced goes on to buy.
That last point catches sellers out, so speak with a solicitor or conveyancer before signing with a new agent.
If your campaign isn't working and you want a second opinion on your options, I'm happy to talk it through. Call me on 0410 218 499.
Important note
This article is general information only, not legal advice. Queensland property law changes and every situation is different. Before you act, speak with a qualified solicitor or licensed conveyancer, and verify current requirements with the relevant Queensland Government source (Queensland Government, Queensland Law Society, Office of Fair Trading, or the QBCC where applicable).
Where to from here
Selling and want it handled properly? Book a free appraisal and I will walk you through your obligations end to end. If you just want a fast market read on your home first, Jai can give you an instant estimate.
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Written by
Junaid Ally
Ray White Rochedale agent. I've been selling homes across Brisbane's south side for 18+ years. I write about what I see on the ground each week: auctions, results, seller questions and the small things that make a real difference to a sale.
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