Under the Sex Work Decriminalisation Act (2022), consensual sex work is now legal in most locations across Victoria. These new laws have been in place since May 2022 (first stage) and December 2023 (second stage) to decriminalise sex work in Victoria.
Sex work is regulated like any other service business by agencies including WorkSafe Victoria and the Department of Health.
A sex services business can operate anywhere a shop can, while certain conditions must be met for sex services as a home-based business.
It is an offence for street-based sex work to be carried out near schools, education and care service premises, children’s service premises and places of worship between 6 am and 7 pm.
Sex workers have the same legal protections and recognition as any other worker in Victoria.
The Equal Opportunity Act now protects sex workers from discrimination in a range of areas of public life including:
- employment
- education
- provision of goods and services
- sporting clubs
- accommodation services.
Only sex work between consenting adults over the age of 18 has been decriminalised.
Criminal offences to protect children and workers from coercion and address other forms of non-consensual sex work continue to be enforced.
Who to contact if you have concerns
Concerns about illegal activity (such as sex trafficking or coercion) and community safety should be referred to the police.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For non-urgent crimes and events, call 131 444.
Support and wellbeing services
The organisations below provide information and services to support sex worker health, safety and wellbeing.
| Organisation name | Services offered | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| RheD (Resourcing Health and Education) | RhED is a program of Star Health that provides a range of health, safety and legal information for sex workers in Victoria. | 1800 458 752 | RheD website |
| Project Respect | Project Respect is a specialised support and referral service for women and gender diverse people with experience in the sex industry, and for women and gender diverse people with experiences of sexual exploitation (including trafficking). | (03) 9416 3401 |
|
| Melbourne Sexual Health Centre | MSHC provides services to all Victorians and welcomes sex workers who would like to attend for sexual health screening. | (03) 9341 6200 | MSCH website |
| Vixen | Vixen is Victoria’s peer sex worker organisation. Their outreach program focuses on health promotion, harm reduction, workplace rights and providing resources for sex workers across Melbourne and regional Victoria. | (03) 9070 9050 | Vixen website |