This December, the Victorian Government is changing land use regulations to treat sex work businesses like any other business.
In February 2022, Parliament passed the Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2022 and it has become law. This reform aims to improve the safety of sex workers by decriminalising sex work in Victoria in 2 stages. The first stage, which came into effect in May 2022, included the decriminalisation of street-based sex work in most locations.
Changes coming this December
The second stage is expected to come into effect this December and includes the following changes:
- The Victorian Government will update the Boroondara Planning Scheme to remove ‘sensitive land use’ distance buffers from sex work businesses. This means sex work businesses will be treated the same as any other business and can operate from homes and near places such as healthcare centres, places of worship and schools.
- Sex workers will be able to set up a business from their home just like any other home-based business. Anyone living at the property will be able to work there, as well as 2 extra staff members who do not live at the property.
- Council will have limited ability to moderate the running of sex work businesses. We will not be able to restrict hours of operation, content of business signs (which can be 0.2 sqm in area without a permit) or prevent lawful parking in the street.
- Responsibilities will transfer from state to local government. Council will be required to take over Victoria Police’s current role in managing community concerns. We will need to reallocate resources to cover this cost-shifting.
We’re sharing this information to ensure the Boroondara community is aware of the Victorian Government law reforms.