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Account recoveryGeneral information · Not legal advice
Australia has no single sex work law. Each state and territory sets its own rules, and they range from full decriminalisation to wide criminalisation. Here is a plain-language overview, with links to the official sources.
In short: Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory have decriminalised sex work. The ACT and Tasmania regulate it. Western Australia and South Australia still criminalise many related activities. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sex work was decriminalised on 2 August 2024, when the Criminal Code (Decriminalising Sex Work) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 commenced. Sex work businesses now follow the same regulatory requirements as other Queensland businesses (Queensland Government (opens in a new tab)).
Decriminalisation happened in two stages under the Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2022: the first on 10 May 2022 and the second on 1 December 2023. Licensing and registration were abolished, and the industry is regulated like any other, by agencies such as WorkSafe Victoria and the Department of Health (Consumer Affairs Victoria (opens in a new tab)).
Sex work has been decriminalised in New South Wales since 1995. Private work is legal, local councils regulate where sex services premises can operate, and street-based work is restricted near dwellings, schools, churches and hospitals.
The Sex Industry Act 2019 decriminalised sex work. Up to two sex workers may work from a residence, subject to planning rules, and operators of businesses with three or more sex workers need a suitability certificate. Existing advertising restrictions continue to apply (NT Attorney-General’s Department (opens in a new tab)).
Sex work is legal in the ACT. Commercial brothels and commercial escort agencies must register with Access Canberra, and brothels may operate only in Mitchell and Fyshwick. Sole operators do not need to register (Access Canberra (opens in a new tab)).
Under the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005, a self-employed sex worker may work alone, or with one other sex worker where neither manages the other. Operating a commercial sexual services business is an offence (Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 (opens in a new tab)).
Private sex work itself is not an offence, but many related activities are, brothels are not permitted, and street-based work is largely criminalised (Prostitution Act 2000 (opens in a new tab)).
Sex work is largely criminalised. Brothel offences can apply to premises used for sex work, and street-based work is criminalised. Reform bills have been debated but, as at the review date, the law has not been decriminalised.
BelleTime enables its directory and booking features state by state, only where they are permitted, so the options you see depend on where a provider works. Read how BelleTime works.
For advice about your own situation, speak to a lawyer or your state’s sex-worker organisation. Laws change; this page shows the date it was last reviewed.
It depends on the state or territory. Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory have decriminalised sex work; the ACT and Tasmania regulate it; Western Australia and South Australia still criminalise many related activities.
Decriminalisation took effect on 2 August 2024. Sex work businesses in Queensland now follow the same regulatory requirements as other businesses.
Not in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales or the Northern Territory. In the ACT, sole operators do not need to register, but commercial brothels and escort agencies must. Rules differ in other states, so check the official source for where you work.
No. This page is general information only. Laws change, and your situation may differ. For advice, speak to a lawyer or your state’s sex-worker organisation.
Guidance reviewed 10 November 2026.
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