WA paceman Lance Morris claimed three wickets as Queensland were bowled out for 153 in their second innings on day three at The Gabba on Thursday.
Morris tore through Queensland's tail and was on a hat-trick after dismissing Xavier Bartlett (one) and bowling Mark Steketee for a golden duck.
The right-arm quick sprayed his hat-trick attempt, sending a delivery to Mitch Swepson wildly down the legside to miss the milestone.
The Bulls made 147 in their first innings when offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli took a career-best 7-52.
WA, with Sam Fanning (95) falling just shy of his maiden first-class century, replied with 312 to take a stranglehold on the fixture.
Queensland's batsmen struggled again in their second innings with Ben McDermott and Lachlan Hearne top-scoring - both made 33.
Angus Lovell (26), his opening partner Matthew Renshaw (10) and Michael Neser (12) were the only other batsmen to reach double-figures.
WA's Morris collected 3-35 from 13 overs - he also removed McDermott with a brute of a short ball which reared at the batsman, who edged to wicketeeper Joel Curtis.
Rocchiccioli (2-27) finished with his best first-class match figures of 9-79 while paceman Joel Paris (2-36) and Cameron Gannon (2-25) also took multiple second-innings wickets.
WA, the reigning champions who have won the shield in the past three summers, entered the fixture at the foot of the ladder but could rise as high as third, pending other results.
Queensland, who had held third spot, will likely slide to fifth.
Both states have two games remaining before the final, with WA to host NSW from March 6 and Victoria from March 15 at the WACA Ground in Perth.
Queensland will be on the road for their remaining fixtures, against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval and South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval on the same dates.
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