Hey I'm Twinkle,

As an ambulatory walker and wheelchair user, I understand first-hand how difficult it can be to find genuinely accessible housing. I have personally spent more than 150 NDIS hours attending property inspections that turned out to be completely unsuitable for my physical needs, simply because the images used in listings were misleading.

Real estate platforms such as Domain and realestate.com.au frequently use AI-generated or heavily edited images that do not accurately represent a property's true condition. This practice is more than just frustrating — it can be dangerous and a significant waste of time and resources, especially for people living with disabilities.

Imagine arriving at a property that appeared perfect in the photos, only to discover multiple steps at the entrance or narrow hallways that a wheelchair cannot pass through. For people with mobility challenges, elderly individuals and those recovering from injuries, these are not small inconveniences — they are serious barriers to independent living. Misleading property photos add unnecessary obstacles and can be the difference between successfully finding a home or continuing an exhausting search.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 4.4 million Australians live with a disability. Many of these individuals have mobility impairments and still need to relocate for work, family, or personal reasons. Accurate and honest property listings benefit not only people with disabilities, but also families, carers, and support workers, saving time, energy, and reducing the risk of harm.

Currently, there are no clear regulations governing the use of edited or AI-generated images in property listings, allowing platforms to present properties in ways that do not reflect reality. This lack of transparency places vulnerable groups at a disadvantage.

For this reason, I am calling on Domain and realestate.com.au to introduce policies that ban misleading AI-edited images and require genuine, unaltered photographs of properties.

In addition, all real estate listing platforms should be required to include clear images of property entry points and access areas, such as driveways, pathways, entrances, and steps, so prospective renters and buyers can properly assess whether a property is physically accessible before attending inspections.

Providing accurate visual representations will help create a more inclusive housing market, empower renters and buyers to make informed decisions, and build greater trust between real estate platforms and the communities they serve.

Together, we can push for change. Please join me in calling on these platforms to adopt policies that ensure honest, transparent, and accessibility-aware property listings for everyone.

Sign this petition to help make the search for housing safer, fairer, and more accessible for all Australians.