UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

October 17, 2014

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or

Form 40-F:    x  Form 20-F    ¨  Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:    ¨  Yes    x  No

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): n/a

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NEWS RELEASE

STANDARD LISTING IN LONDON FOR PROPOSED NEW COMPANY

BHP Billiton today confirmed that it will pursue a Standard listing on the UK Listing Authority’s Official List and admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange for the new company it plans to create via demerger. This is in addition to the proposed primary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange and secondary inward listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

As previously announced, BHP Billiton plans to create an independent global metals and mining company based on a selection of its high-quality aluminium, coal, manganese, nickel and silver assets. Separating these businesses has the potential to unlock shareholder value by significantly simplifying the BHP Billiton Group and creating two portfolios of complementary assets.

BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Mackenzie, said: “We are pleased to offer an additional listing in London in response to the interest investors have shown in the new company. We continue to work towards completion of the demerger in the first half of the 2015 calendar year, subject to receipt of the necessary approvals.”

A final Board decision on the demerger will only be made once the necessary Government, taxation, regulatory and other third party approvals are secured on satisfactory terms.

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com.

Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia