Queensland's property market is on the brink of its most significant transformation in 50 years. On 1 August 2025, the new statutory seller disclosure regime—introduced through the Property Law Act 2023—comes into force, replacing the long-standing Property Law Act 1974. This sweeping reform is designed to bring greater transparency, standardise disclosure requirements, and rebalance due diligence responsibilities between buyers and sellers. For real estate agents, property lawyers, and sellers, understanding and adapting to these changes is essential—and that’s where SearchX is changing the game by making compliance faster, easier, and risk-free.
Why Queensland Needed Reform
Unlike other states like New South Wales and Victoria, Queensland has long operated without a formal statutory seller disclosure framework, following instead a "buyer beware" system. Under this model, buyers have carried the burden of conducting their own due diligence—a process prone to inconsistency, disputes, and confusion. The lack of standardised disclosure practices has led to an uneven playing field, leaving buyers exposed and sellers vulnerable to legal complications.
The new regime directly addresses these issues by introducing clear, mandatory disclosure requirements that streamline transactions and provide buyers with reliable, upfront property information.
The New Seller Disclosure Regime: What’s Required
From 1 August 2025, the Property Law Act 2023 will establish mandatory disclosure obligations for nearly all freehold property sales across Queensland, including residential, commercial, auction, and mortgagee sales. Off-the-plan sales will remain covered under separate legislation.
Mandatory Disclosure Documents
Sellers will now be required to provide:
A Seller Disclosure Statement completed using Form 2, containing detailed information about the property.
Prescribed Certificates such as title searches, land plans, and relevant council notices.
With SearchX, agents and sellers can obtain both the completed Form 2 and supporting certificates in a single, streamlined process—faster and more accurately than traditional methods.
What Must Be Disclosed
The disclosure statement must include:
Title and ownership details;
Unregistered encumbrances;
Zoning and planning restrictions;
Environmental notices or contamination;
Pool safety certificates (where relevant);
Legal disputes or notices;
Rates and water charges; and
Rental history (for recently tenanted properties).
By automating the collection and legal review of this data, SearchX ensures every disclosure is complete, compliant, and delivered at record speed—removing the risk of human error or missing documents.
Timing, Delivery, and the Critical Role of SearchX
Under the new law, sellers must provide all disclosure documents before buyers sign a contract. This includes auction scenarios and option agreements. Failure to do so, or providing incorrect or incomplete information, gives buyers the right to terminate at any time before settlement—potentially costing the agent their commission and the seller their sale.
SearchX has built proprietary systems and exclusive partnerships with key information providers, enabling us to produce verified, legally compliant reports faster than any competitor. Our platform not only generates the Form 2 disclosure statement but also compiles all required certificates in one go—ensuring agents can present a fully compliant disclosure pack before any contract is signed.
Exemptions and Legal Risks
While some exemptions apply (e.g. sales between related parties, government transactions, and high-value deals over $10 million), most property sales will fall under the new regime. Importantly, these requirements cannot generally be waived or contracted out of—making accurate and timely disclosure essential.
If a seller fails to comply:
Buyers can terminate at any time pre-settlement if a material error or omission is discovered.
Sellers must refund deposits, risking financial loss.
Agent’s risk losing their commission and reputation if deals fall apart at the last minute.
In addition, if an agent prepares the Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement, they may expose themselves to significant legal and financial risk. By completing this legal document, the agent could be deemed to have provided legal services—making them potentially liable for costs incurred by both the seller and the buyer if errors are found. Any mistake or omission in the disclosure may also be considered misleading and deceptive conduct under Australian consumer law, further increasing the risk of claims against the agent.
SearchX eliminates this risk by delivering legally reviewed, error-free reports that protect agents’ commissions and sellers’ contracts.
Impact on the Property Market—and How to Prepare
For Sellers
Sellers face new responsibilities and potential costs in preparing disclosure packs. With SearchX, these obligations are handled quickly and accurately, removing the need for expensive legal work and saving valuable time.
For Buyers
Buyers will benefit from greater transparency and standardised property information, helping them make informed decisions. However, they must still conduct due diligence on matters not covered in the disclosure, such as flooding history.
For Real Estate Professionals
Agents, lawyers, and conveyancers must adapt to the new regime by ensuring every sale complies. Using SearchX helps professionals stay compliant effortlessly, avoid legal pitfalls, and maintain smooth transaction pipelines.
Preparing for 1 August 2025: Key Steps
For Sellers and Agents:
Get familiar with the Form 2 requirements.
Use SearchX to streamline certificate collection and disclosure preparation.
Budget for disclosure compliance costs—but save on legal fees with SearchX.
Avoid delays and errors by using our automated, legally verified reports.
For Buyers:
Know your rights and what to expect in disclosure statements.
Recognise disclosure limits and plan additional due diligence where needed.
Understand the process for terminating contracts if disclosures are invalid.
Conclusion: Queensland's Property Market Is Evolving—SearchX Is Here to Make It Effortless
The introduction of Queensland’s seller disclosure regime marks a new era for property transactions—ushering in consistency, fairness, and transparency. As of August 2025, compliance will no longer be optional. With SearchX, agents and sellers can embrace this change with confidence, knowing their reports are faster, compliant, and risk-free—protecting deals, commissions, and reputations.
This reform aligns Queensland with other leading states and promises a more balanced property market. Thanks to technology partners like SearchX, meeting these new obligations has never been easier.