{"id":"a-1992-64","name":"Sex Work Act 1992","slug":"sex-work-act-1992","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"64 of 1992","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":24181,"registerId":"act-a-1992-64-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Sex Work Act 1992","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nSex Work Act 1992\nA1992-64\nRepublication No 31\nEffective: 5 January 2026\nRepublication date: 5 January 2026\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Sex Work Act 1992 (including any amendment made under the\nLegislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 5 January 2026. It also includes\nany commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to\n5 January 2026.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nSex Work Act 1992\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n3 Notes 2\n3A Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 3\n4 Objects 3\nPart 2 Registration\nDivision 2.1 Interpretation\n5 Definitions for pt 2 4\n6 Meaning of disqualifying offence 5\nDivision 2.2 Register and notices\n11 Register 6\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n12 Registration notice etc to be given to commissioner—commercial\noperators 7\n13 Annual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial operators 8\n14 Other notices to be given to commissioner—commercial operators and\nformer commercial operators 9\nDivision 2.3 Interested people—offences\n15 Interested person—disqualifying offence 10\n16 Police report to be given before person becomes interested person 11\nPart 3 Offences\n17 Duress 12\n18 Brothels—other than in prescribed location 13\n19 Soliciting 13\n20 Causing child to provide commercial sexual services etc 14\n21 Proceeds of commercial sexual services by child 14\n22 Age of child—burden of proof 15\n23 Child on premises 15\n26 Medical tests and examinations 15\n26A Commercial operator must provide health and safety equipment 17\n27 Use of prophylactics 18\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n28 Entry by police 20\n29 Determination of fees 20\n30 Approved forms 20\n32 Regulation-making power 20\nSchedule 1 Disqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900 22\nSchedule 2 Disqualifying offences—this Act 24\nSchedule 3 Disqualifying offences—foreign countries 25\n3.1 Kinds of offences 25\n\nContents\nPage\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\ncontents 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary 26\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 29\n2 Abbreviation key 29\n3 Legislation history 30\n4 Amendment history 35\n5 Earlier republications 43\n6 Renumbered provisions 44\n\n\n\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nSex Work Act 1992\nAn Act to regulate certain aspects of sex work\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Sex Work Act 1992.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined\nelsewhere in this Act.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘commercial brothel, for part 2\n(Registration)—see section 5.’ means that the term ‘commercial brothel’\nis defined in that section for part 2.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n\nPreliminary Part 1\nSection 3A\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3A Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc\nOther legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.\nNote 1 Criminal Code\nThe Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to the following offences against this\nAct (see Code, pt 2.1):\n• s 12 (Registration notice etc to be given to commissioner—\ncommercial operators)\n• s 13 (Annual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial\noperators)\n• s 14 (Other notices to be given to commissioner—commercial\noperators and former commercial operators)\n• s 20 (Causing child to provide commercial sexual services etc)\n• s 26 (Medical tests and examinations)\n• s 26A (Commercial operator must provide health and safety\nequipment).\nThe chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility\n(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used\nfor offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,\nrecklessness and strict liability).\nNote 2 Penalty units\nThe Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties\nthat are expressed in penalty units.\n4 Objects\nThe objects of the Act are as follows:\n(a) to safeguard public health;\n(b) to promote the welfare and occupational health and safety of sex\nworkers;\n(c) to protect the social and physical environment of the community\nby controlling the location of brothels;\n(d) to protect children from sexual exploitation.\n\nPart 2 Registration\nDivision 2.1 Interpretation\nSection 5\npage 4 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Registration\nDivision 2.1 Interpretation\n5 Definitions for pt 2\nIn this part:\ncommercial brothel means a brothel other than a sole operator\nbrothel.\ncommercial escort agency means an escort agency other than a sole\noperator escort agency.\ndisqualifying offence—see section 6.\ninterested person, in relation to a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency, means any of the following:\n(a) each operator;\n(b) each owner who is an individual;\n(c) each director of an owner that is a corporation.\npolice report, for a person, means a report by a police officer or the\nAustralian Criminal Intelligence Commission about the person’s\ncriminal record made on a form that—\n(a) contains a consent by the person to a police officer or the\nAustralian Criminal Intelligence Commission making inquiries\nabout the person’s criminal record; and\n(b) contains imprints of the fingers and palms of both hands of the\nperson.\nrequired police report, in relation to a commercial brothel or\ncommercial escort agency, means a police report for each interested\nperson in relation to the brothel or escort agency.\n\nRegistration Part 2\nInterpretation Division 2.1\nSection 6\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nsole operator brothel means a brothel—\n(a) the premises of which are premises used by a single sex worker;\nand\n(b) the business of which is solely owned and operated by the single\nsex worker.\nsole operator escort agency means an escort agency solely owned\nand operated by a single sex worker.\nthe operator, of a commercial brothel or commercial escort agency—\n(a) if there is only 1 operator of the brothel or escort agency—the\noperator; or\n(b) if there are 2 or more operators of the brothel or escort agency—\neach operator.\n6 Meaning of disqualifying offence\n(1) In this part:\ndisqualifying offence means—\n(a) an offence against any of the following:\n(i) a provision of the Crimes Act 1900 mentioned in\nschedule 1;\n(ii) a provision of this Act mentioned in schedule 2;\n(iii) the Crimes Act 1900, section 114B (Money laundering);\n(iv) the Criminal Code, chapter 6 (Serious drug offences); or\nNote A reference to an offence against a Territory law includes a reference to\na related ancillary offence, eg attempt (see Legislation Act, s 189).\n(b) an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or\nanother Territory corresponding to an offence mentioned in\nparagraph (a); or\n\nPart 2 Registration\nDivision 2.2 Register and notices\nSection 11\npage 6 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or\nanother Territory corresponding to a provision of the Criminal\nCode, part 2.4 (Extensions of criminal responsibility) or\nsection 717 (Accessory after the fact) in relation to an offence\nmentioned in paragraph (a); or\n(d) an offence against the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth),\nsection 232A (Organising bringing groups of non-citizens into\nAustralia), section 233 (1) (about bringing etc non-citizens into\nAustralia in contravention of the Act) or section 233A (Other\noffences relating to groups of non-citizens etc); or\n(e) an offence against a Commonwealth law corresponding to a\nprovision of the Criminal Code, part 2.4 (Extensions of criminal\nresponsibility) or section 717 (Accessory after the fact) in\nrelation to an offence mentioned in paragraph (d); or\n(f) an offence against a law of a foreign country of a kind mentioned\nin schedule 3.\n(2) To remove any doubt, this section applies to offences committed\nbefore or after the commencement of this section.\nDivision 2.2 Register and notices\n11 Register\n(1) The commissioner must keep a register of information provided by\noperators of commercial brothels and commercial escort agencies in\nnotices under this part.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not require the commissioner to include or keep\nin the register information about a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency that has ceased to operate.\n(3) The commissioner must make information in the register available for\npublic inspection.\n\nRegistration Part 2\nRegister and notices Division 2.2\nSection 12\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n12 Registration notice etc to be given to commissioner—\ncommercial operators\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency; and\n(b) both of the following are not given to the commissioner at least\n7 days before the day the brothel or escort agency begins to\noperate:\n(i) a registration notice;\n(ii) a required police report in relation to the brothel or escort\nagency.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n(2) In this section:\nregistration notice, in relation to a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency, means a written notice containing the following\nparticulars in relation to the brothel or escort agency:\n(a) its business name (if any) and address;\n(b) the name and home address of each person in day-to-day control\nof the brothel or escort agency;\n(c) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is an\nindividual—the name and home address of each individual who\nis an owner;\n(d) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is a\ncorporation—the following for each corporation that is an\nowner:\n(i) its name and business address;\n\nPart 2 Registration\nDivision 2.2 Register and notices\nSection 13\npage 8 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) the name and home address of each director and each\nshareholder;\n(e) for each interested person in relation to the brothel or escort\nagency—a statement about whether or not the person has been\nconvicted, or found guilty, of a disqualifying offence.\n13 Annual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial\noperators\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency; and\n(b) an annual notice for the year for the brothel or escort agency is\nnot given to the commissioner before 1 October of that year.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n(2) In this section:\nannual notice, in relation to a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency, means a written notice containing the following\nparticulars in relation to the brothel or escort agency:\n(a) its business name (if any) and address;\n(b) the name and home address of each person in day-to-day control\nof the brothel or escort agency;\n(c) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is an\nindividual—the name and home address of each individual who\nis an owner;\n(d) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is a\ncorporation—the following for each corporation that is an\nowner:\n(i) its name and business address;\n\nRegistration Part 2\nRegister and notices Division 2.2\nSection 14\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) the name and home address of each director and each\nshareholder;\n(e) for each interested person in relation to the brothel or escort\nagency—a statement about whether or not the person has been\nconvicted, or found guilty, of a disqualifying offence.\n14 Other notices to be given to commissioner—commercial\noperators and former commercial operators\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency; and\n(b) any information given to the commissioner in a notice under this\ndivision changes; and\n(c) written notice of the new information is not given to the\ncommissioner within 7 days after the day the information\nchanges.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n(2) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial\nescort agency; and\n(b) the brothel or escort agency stops operating; and\n(c) written notice that the brothel or escort agency stopped\noperating is not given to the commissioner within 7 days after\nthe last day the brothel or escort agency operated.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n\nPart 2 Registration\nDivision 2.3 Interested people—offences\nSection 15\npage 10 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 2.3 Interested people—offences\n15 Interested person—disqualifying offence\n(1) A person who has been convicted or found guilty of a disqualifying\noffence must not—\n(a) become an interested person in relation to a commercial brothel\nor commercial escort agency; or\n(b) continue to be an interested person in relation to a commercial\nbrothel or commercial escort agency.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n(2) Any other interested person (the other interested person) in relation\nto a commercial brothel or commercial escort agency commits an\noffence if—\n(a) an interested person mentioned in subsection (1) becomes, or\ncontinues to be, an interested person in relation to the brothel or\nescort agency; and\n(b) the other interested person knows that, or is reckless as to\nwhether, a person who becomes, or continues to be, an interested\nperson in relation to the brothel or escort agency is an interested\nperson mentioned in subsection (1).\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n\nRegistration Part 2\nInterested people—offences Division 2.3\nSection 16\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n16 Police report to be given before person becomes\ninterested person\nA person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to give the\ncommissioner a police report for the person at least 7 days before the\nperson becomes an interested person in relation to a commercial\nbrothel or commercial escort agency.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n\nPart 3 Offences\nSection 17\npage 12 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Offences\n17 Duress\n(1) A person must not, for the purpose of inducing a person to provide or\nto continue to provide commercial sexual services—\n(a) intimidate, assault or threaten to assault any person; or\n(b) supply or offer to supply a controlled medicine or prohibited\nsubstance to any person; or\n(c) make a false representation or otherwise act fraudulently.\nMaximum penalty: imprisonment for 6 years.\n(2) A person must not—\n(a) intimidate, assault or threaten to assault a person; or\n(b) supply or offer to supply a controlled medicine or prohibited\nsubstance to a person;\nfor the purpose of inducing any person to provide or continue to\nprovide him or her with payment derived, directly or indirectly, from\nthe provision of commercial sexual services.\nMaximum penalty: imprisonment for 6 years.\n(3) In this section:\ncontrolled medicine—see the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic\nGoods Act 2008, section 11.\nprohibited substance—see the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic\nGoods Act 2008, section 13.\n\nOffences Part 3\nSection 18\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n18 Brothels—other than in prescribed location\n(1) A person must not operate a brothel other than in a prescribed\nlocation.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n(2) Each owner of a brothel that operates other than in a prescribed\nlocation commits an offence.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or\nboth.\n(3) This section does not apply to an escort agency or premises used by\na single sex worker.\n19 Soliciting\n(1) A person must not, for the purpose of offering or procuring\ncommercial sexual services, accost any person, or solicit or loiter, in\na public place.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n(2) A person must not, for the purpose of offering or procuring\ncommercial sexual services, accost a child in a public place.\nMaximum penalty: imprisonment for 3 years.\n(3) In this section:\npublic place means any street, road, public park, reserve, or any\nbuilding, premises or other place that the public are entitled to use or\nthat is open to, or used by, the public (whether on payment or\notherwise).\n\nPart 3 Offences\nSection 20\npage 14 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n20 Causing child to provide commercial sexual services etc\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person causes, permits, offers or procures a child to provide\ncommercial sexual services; and\n(b) the child is under 12 years old.\nMaximum penalty: 1 500 penalty units, imprisonment for 15 years\nor both.\n(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1) (b).\n(3) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person causes, permits, offers or procures a child to provide\ncommercial sexual services; and\n(b) the child is 12 years old or older.\nMaximum penalty: 1 000 penalty units, imprisonment for 10 years\nor both.\n(4) Absolute liability applies to subsection (3) (b).\n21 Proceeds of commercial sexual services by child\n(1) A person must not receive a payment that he or she knows, or could\nreasonably be expected to have known, is derived, directly or\nindirectly, from commercial sexual services provided by a child.\nMaximum penalty: imprisonment for 7 years.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a payment received in the\nordinary course of a business other than sex work.\n\nOffences Part 3\nSection 22\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n22 Age of child—burden of proof\nIt is a defence to a prosecution under section 19 (2) or 20 if it is\nestablished that the defendant—\n(a) took reasonable steps to ascertain the age of the child concerned;\nand\n(b) believed on reasonable grounds that the child had attained\n18 years of age.\n23 Child on premises\nAn operator or owner of a brothel or escort agency must not, without\nreasonable excuse, permit a child to be on the premises.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n26 Medical tests and examinations\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is an operator or owner of a brothel or escort agency;\nand\n(b) the person fails to take reasonable steps to ensure that 1 or more\nof the following is not used to induce someone else to believe\nthat the sex worker is not infected with a sexually transmissible\ninfection:\n(i) the fact that a sex worker had a medical test;\n(ii) the fact that a sex worker had a medical examination by a\ndoctor or nurse practitioner;\n(iii) the result of a sex worker’s medical test;\n(iv) the result of a sex worker’s medical examination by a\ndoctor or nurse practitioner.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Offences\nSection 26\npage 16 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) A sex worker commits an offence if—\n(a) the sex worker tells someone else—\n(i) that the sex worker had a medical test; or\n(ii) that the sex worker had a medical examination by a doctor\nor nurse practitioner; or\n(iii) the result of the sex worker’s medical test; or\n(iv) the result of the sex worker’s medical examination by a\ndoctor or nurse practitioner; and\n(b) the sex worker—\n(i) intends the person to believe that the sex worker is not\ninfected with a sexually transmissible infection; or\n(ii) is reckless about whether the person believes that the sex\nworker is not infected with a sexually transmissible\ninfection.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n(3) An offence against subsection (1) is a strict liability offence.\n(4) This section does not apply to an operator or owner of a brothel or\nescort agency if the operator or owner uses a sex worker’s medical\ntest, a sex worker’s medical examination by a doctor or nurse\npractitioner, or the result of a sex worker’s medical test or medical\nexamination by a doctor or nurse practitioner, to satisfy himself or\nherself that the sex worker is not infected with a sexually\ntransmissible infection.\n(5) In this section:\nmedical test means the taking of a sample of tissue, blood, urine or\nother bodily material for medical testing.\n\nOffences Part 3\nSection 26A\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n26A Commercial operator must provide health and safety\nequipment\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) is the operator of a commercial brothel or commercial escort\nagency; and\n(b) fails to provide a sex worker employed at the brothel, or from\nthe escort agency, prophylactics in sufficient quantity to allow\nthe sex worker to comply with section 27 (3).\nMaximum penalty: 40 penalty units.\n(2) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) is the operator of a commercial brothel or commercial escort\nagency; and\n(b) fails to—\n(i) provide a sex worker employed at the brothel, or from the\nescort agency, personal protective equipment; and\n(ii) take reasonable steps to ensure the sex worker uses the\npersonal protective equipment to minimise the risk to the\nsex worker’s health or safety.\nMaximum penalty: 40 penalty units.\n(3) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) is the operator of a commercial brothel or commercial escort\nagency; and\n(b) provides a sex worker employed at the brothel, or from the\nescort agency, prophylactics or personal protective equipment;\nand\n(c) charges, or imposes a levy on, the sex worker for the\nprophylactics or personal protective equipment.\nMaximum penalty: 40 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Offences\nSection 27\npage 18 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) In this section:\ncommercial brothel—see section 5.\ncommercial escort agency—see section 5.\npersonal protective equipment, in relation to sex work, means\nanything used or worn by a sex worker to minimise risk to the sex\nworker’s health or safety from engaging in sex work.\nExamples—personal protective equipment\ndental dams, latex gloves, water-based lubricants, sponges\n27 Use of prophylactics\n(1) Each operator and owner of a brothel or escort agency must take\nreasonable steps to ensure that no person provides or receives\ncommercial sexual services at the brothel or escort agency, being\nservices which involve vaginal, oral or anal penetration by any\nmeans, unless a prophylactic is used.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units.\n(2) An operator or owner of a brothel must not discourage the use of\nprophylactics at the brothel.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(3) A person must not, at a brothel or elsewhere, provide or receive\ncommercial sexual services that involve vaginal, oral or anal\npenetration by any means unless a prophylactic is used.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units.\nNote It is also an offence not to take reasonable precautions against\ntransmitting a notifiable condition (see Public Health Regulation 2000,\ns 21 (1)).\n\nOffences Part 3\nSection 27\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) A person must not, at a brothel or elsewhere, while providing or\nreceiving commercial sexual services that involve oral, anal or\nvaginal penetration—\n(a) misuse, damage or interfere with the efficacy of any\nprophylactic used; or\n(b) continue to use a prophylactic that he or she knows, or could\nreasonably be expected to know, is damaged.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units.\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\nSection 28\npage 20 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n28 Entry by police\nA police officer may enter a brothel or escort agency if the officer\nbelieves on reasonable grounds that—\n(a) an offence against section 20, 21 or 23 has been, is being or is\nlikely to be committed on the premises; and\n(b) it is necessary to enter the premises for the purpose of preventing\nthe commission or repetition of such an offence, investigating\nsuch an offence or apprehending an offender.\n29 Determination of fees\n(1) The Minister may determine fees for this Act.\n(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\n30 Approved forms\n(1) The commissioner may approve forms for this Act.\n(2) If the commissioner approves a form for a particular purpose, the\napproved form must be used for that purpose.\n(3) An approved form is a notifiable instrument.\n32 Regulation-making power\n(1) The Executive may make regulations for this Act.\n(2) The regulations may make provision in relation to the following\nmatters:\n(a) the cleanliness of brothels;\n(b) the provision, use and laundering of towels and other items of\nlinen;\n\nMiscellaneous Part 4\nSection 32\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) hygiene standards for swimming pools, spa baths and sexual\naids used in brothels;\n(d) provision of, and hygiene standards for, showers and washing\nand toilet facilities in brothels;\n(e) the disposal of prophylactics used in brothels;\n(f) the inspection of brothels and escort agencies to ensure\ncompliance with this Act;\n(g) the provision of information relating to sexually transmissible\ninfections to sex workers employed at brothels or from escort\nagencies and to clients;\n(h) safeguarding the health of clients and sex workers employed at\nbrothels and from escort agencies;\n(i) the provision of assistance to sex workers in gaining access to\njob retraining, job skills improvement schemes and further\neducation;\n(j) the size, form and content of advertisements relating to brothels\nand escort agencies.\n(3) The regulations may also prescribe offences for contraventions of the\nregulations and prescribe maximum penalties of not more than 10\npenalty units for offences against the regulations.\n\nSchedule 1 Disqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900\npage 22 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1 Disqualifying offences—\nCrimes Act 1900\n(see s 6 (1), def disqualifying offence, par (a) (i))\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nsection\ncolumn 3\ndescription\n1 12 murder\n2 19 intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm\n3 20 recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm\n4 22 assault with intent to commit other offence\n5 32 (1) (a) make demand with threat to kill or inflict grievous bodily harm\n6 32 (2) (a) make demand with threat to endanger health etc\n7 35 stalking\n8 36 torture\n9 38 kidnapping\n10 51 sexual assault in the first degree\n11 52 sexual assault in the second degree\n12 53 sexual assault in the third degree\n13 54 sexual intercourse without consent\n14 55 sexual intercourse with young person\n15 55A sexual intercourse with young person under special care\n16 56 persistent sexual abuse of child or young person under special\ncare\n17 57 act of indecency in the first degree\n18 58 act of indecency in the second degree\n19 59 act of indecency in the third degree\n20 60 act of indecency without consent\n21 61 acts of indecency with young people\n\nDisqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900 Schedule 1\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nsection\ncolumn 3\ndescription\n22 61A act of indecency with young person under special care\n23 62 incest and similar offences\n24 63 abduction\n25 63A bestiality\n26 64 employment of young people for pornographic purposes\n27 65 possession of child exploitation material\n28 79 sexual servitude offences\n29 80 deceptive recruiting for sexual services\n\nSchedule 2 Disqualifying offences—this Act\npage 24 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 2 Disqualifying offences—this\nAct\n(see s 6 (1), def disqualifying offence, par (a) (ii))\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nsection\ncolumn 3\ndescription\n1 17 duress used to induce person to provide commercial sexual\nservices\n2 18 brothel operating other than in prescribed location\n3 19 (2) accost a child for the purpose of offering or getting commercial\nsexual services\n4 20 cause or permit child to provide commercial sexual services\n5 21 receive proceeds of commercial sexual services by child\n6 23 permit child on premises\n7 26 obligations in relation to medical test and medical examination\nof sex worker\n8 26A obligation to supply health and safety equipment\n9 27 obligations about use of prophylactics\n\nDisqualifying offences—foreign countries Schedule 3\nSection 3.1\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 3 Disqualifying offences—\nforeign countries\n(see s 6 (1), def disqualifying offence, par (f))\n3.1 Kinds of offences\n(1) An offence that consists of or involves—\n(a) murder; or\n(b) torture, abduction or kidnapping; or\n(c) sexual assault; or\n(d) sexual servitude; or\n(e) child exploitation material; or\n(f) violence, intimidation or coercion related to provision of\ncommercial sexual services; or\n(g) causing serious physical harm to another person; or\n(h) money laundering; or\n(i) illegal immigration; or\n(j) supplying illegal drugs.\n(2) An offence that consists of, or involves, in relation to an offence\nmentioned in subsection (1)—\n(a) aiding and abetting the commission of the offence, or\n(b) being an accessory after the fact; or\n(c) attempting, inciting a person, or conspiring, to commit the\noffence.\n\nDictionary\npage 26 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act 2001 contains definitions and other provisions\nrelevant to this Act.\nNote 2 In particular, the Legislation Act 2001, dict, pt 1, defines the following\nterms:\n• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission\n• child\n• commissioner for fair trading\n• doctor\n• exercise\n• found guilty\n• function\n• home address\n• nurse practitioner\n• police officer.\nbrothel means premises used or to be used for the purpose of sex\nwork, but does not include premises where accommodation is\nnormally provided on a commercial basis if the sex work occurs under\nan arrangement initiated elsewhere.\ncommercial brothel, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\ncommercial escort agency, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\ncommercial sexual services means sexual services provided for\nmonetary consideration or any other form of consideration or material\nreward (regardless of whether the consideration or reward is, or is to\nbe, paid or given to the person providing the sexual services or\nanother person).\ncommissioner means the commissioner for fair trading.\ndisqualifying offence, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 6.\n\nDictionary\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nemployed—a sex worker is employed at a brothel or from an escort\nagency if the sex worker provides commercial sexual services at the\nbrothel, or from the escort agency, under a contract of service or a\ncontract for services.\nescort agency means a business of arranging sex work, being a\nbusiness carried on at premises other than a brothel.\ninterested person, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\noperator, of a brothel or escort agency, includes a person in\nday-to-day control of the brothel or escort agency.\npolice report, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\npremises includes a part of premises.\npremises used by a single sex worker means premises used by not\nmore than 1 sex worker other than—\n(a) premises adjacent to or, for town houses, units or apartments, in\nthe same block as, other premises that are used for sex work; or\n(b) premises at which the provision of commercial sexual services\nis arranged by a person (other than the sex worker) who arranges\nclients for other sex workers; or\n(c) premises to which clients are referred by other sex workers, or\nfrom which clients are referred to other sex workers.\nprophylactic means a condom or other device that is adequate to\nprevent the transmission of a sexually transmissible infection.\nrequired police report, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\nsexually transmissible infection means—\n(a) chancroid, chlamydial infection, donovanosis, gonorrhoea,\nHIV/AIDS, lymphogranuloma venereum or syphilis; or\n(b) an infection prescribed by regulation.\n\nDictionary\npage 28 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nsexual services means—\n(a) an act of sexual intercourse as defined in the Crimes Act 1900,\nsection 50; or\n(b) the masturbation of one person by another; or\n(c) any activity that involves the use of one person by another for\nhis or her sexual gratification.\nsex work means the provision of commercial sexual services by an\nadult.\nsole operator brothel, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\nsole operator escort agency, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\nthe operator, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 30 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThe Sex Work Act 1992 was originally the Prostitution Act 1992. It was renamed\nby the Prostitution Amendment Act 2018 A2018-25 (see s 6).\nSex Work Act 1992 A1992-64\nnotified 1 December 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S208)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1992 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 7 May 1993 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1993 No S75)\nas amended by\nStatute Law Revision Act 1994 A1994-26 sch\nnotified 31 May 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S93)\ncommenced 31 May 1994 (s 2)\nStatutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994 A1994-97 sch\npt 1\nnotified 15 December 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S280)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (1))\nsch pt 1 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994\nNo S293)\nProstitution (Amendment) Act 1997 A1997-9\nnotified 12 May 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S130)\ncommenced 12 May 1997 (s 2)\nPublic Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 A1997-70 sch 1,\nsch 3\nnotified 9 October 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S300)\nss 1-3 commenced 9 October 1997 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 13 August 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No S185)\nsch 3 commenced 10 July 2001 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 2001 No S45)\nStatute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998 A1998-54 sch\nnotified 27 November 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S207)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 November 1998 (s 2 (1))\nsch commenced 9 December 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No 49)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 31\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 303\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 303 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2002 A2002-30 pt 3.54\nnotified LR 16 September 2002\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 19 May 1997 (LA s 75 (2))\npt 3.54 commenced 17 September 2002 (s 2 (1))\nProstitution Amendment Act 2002 A2002-35\nnotified LR 8 October 2002\ns 1, s 2 commenced 8 October 2002 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 16 December 2002 (s 2 and CN2002-15)\nCriminal Code 2002 No 51 pt 1.14\nnotified LR 20 December 2002\ns 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2002 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 1.14 commenced 1 January 2003 (s 2 (1))\nConfiscation of Criminal Assets Act 2003 A2003-8 sch 1 pt 1.3\nnotified LR 27 March 2003\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 March 2003 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 15 August 2003 (s 2 and CN2003-7)\nNurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-10 pt 8\nnotified LR 19 March 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 19 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 8 commenced 27 May 2004 (s 2 and CN2004-9)\nCriminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences)\nAmendment Act 2004 A2004-15 sch 2 pt 2.72\nnotified LR 26 March 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.72 commenced 9 April 2004 (s 2 (1))\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 32 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nCrimes Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-30 pt 3\nnotified LR 7 July 2004\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 27 May 2004 (LA s 75 (2))\ns 7 taken to have commenced 27 May 2004 (s 2 (2) and see Nurse\nPractitioners Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-10, s 2 and\nCN2004-9)\npt 3 remainder commenced 8 July 2004 (s 2 (1))\nCriminal Code (Serious Drug Offences) Amendment Act 2004\nA2004-56 sch 1 pt 1.5\nnotified LR 6 September 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 September 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 6 March 2005 (s 2 and LA s 79)\nCriminal Code (Administration of Justice Offences) Amendment\nAct 2005 A2005-53 sch 1 pt 1.24\nnotified LR 26 October 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 October 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.24 commenced 23 November 2005 (s 2)\nHealth Legislation Amendment Act 2006 A2006-27 sch 2 pt 2.6\nnotified LR 14 June 2006\ns 1, s 2 commenced 14 June 2006 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.6 commenced 14 December 2006 (s 2 and LA s 79)\nHealth Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (No 2) A2006-46 sch 2\npt 2.14\nnotified LR 17 November 2006\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 November 2006 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.14 commenced 18 November 2006 (s 2 (1))\nMedicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008 A2008-26 sch 2\npt 2.19\nnotified LR 14 August 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 14 August 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.19 commenced 14 February 2009 (s 2 and LA s 79)\nCrimes Legislation Amendment Act 2008 A2008-44 sch 1 pt 1.12\nnotified LR 9 September 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 9 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.12 commenced 30 May 2009 (s 2 and CN2009-4)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 33\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2009 (No 2) A2009-49 sch 3 pt 3.57\nnotified LR 26 November 2009\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 November 2009 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.57 commenced 17 December 2009 (s 2)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010\n(No 2) A2010-30 sch 1 pt 1.18\nnotified LR 31 August 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 31 August 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 3 commenced 1 September 2010 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.18 commenced 28 September 2010 (s 2 (2))\nCrimes Legislation Amendment Act 2011 A2011-7 pt 5\nnotified LR 16 March 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 16 March 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 5 commenced 17 March 2011 (s 2)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2011\nA2011-16 sch 1 pt 1.7\nnotified LR 17 May 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2011 (LA s 75 (a))\nsch 1 pt 1.7 commenced 17 November 2011 (s 2 and LA s 79)\nAdministrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)\nAct 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.124\nnotified LR 30 June 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.124 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2011\n(No 3) A2011-49 sch 1 pt 1.8\nnotified LR 22 November 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 22 November 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.8 commenced 12 December 2011 (s 2 (2) (a) and see\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 3) A2011-52 s 2)\nCrimes Legislation Amendment Act 2013 A2013-12 pt 10\nnotified LR 17 April 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 April 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 10 commenced 24 April 2013 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 34 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nCrimes (Child Sex Offenders) Amendment Act 2015 A2015-35 sch 1\npt 1.5\nnotified LR 1 October 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 October 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 2 October 2015 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2017 A2017-4 sch 3 pt 3.20\nnotified LR 23 February 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.20 commenced 9 March 2017 (s 2)\nProstitution Amendment Act 2018 A2018-25\nnotified LR 8 August 2018\ns 1, s 2 commenced 8 August 2018 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 9 August 2018 (s 2)\nHealth Amendment Act 2019 A2019-33 s 14\nnotified LR 9 October 2019\ns 1, s 2 commenced 9 October 2019 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 14 commenced 10 October 2019 (s 2)\nRoyal Commission Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2020\nA2020-31 sch 1 pt 1.2\nnotified LR 29 July 2020\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 July 2020 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 1 September 2020 (s 2 and CN2020-17)\nFamily Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2022 A2022-13 sch 1\npt 1.4\nnotified LR 10 August 2022\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 August 2022 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.4 commenced 17 August 2022 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.165\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 4 pt 4.165 commenced 5 January 2026 (s 2 (8))\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 35\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nLong title\nlong title sub A2018-25 s 5\nName of Act\ns 1 sub A2002-30 amdt 3.615; A2018-25 s 6\nDictionary\ns 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.3311\nins A2002-30 amdt 3.615\nam A2008-26 amdt 2.125; A2019-33 s 14\nNotes\ns 3 am A1994-97 sch\ndefs reloc to dict A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nom A2002-30 amdt 3.618\ndef child om A2002-30 amdt 3.616\ndef drug of dependence om A2002-30 amdt 3.616\ndef public place om A2002-30 amdt 3.616\npres s 3 ins A2002-30 amdt 3.615\nOffences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc\ns 3A ins A2004-10 s 22\nam A2004-30 s 7; A2018-25 s 7\nObjects\ns 4 am A2018-25 s 8, s 9\nRegistration\npt 2 hdg sub A2002-35 s 4\nInterpretation\ndiv 2.1 hdg ins A2002-35 s 4\nDefinitions for pt 2\ns 4A renum as s 5\nMeaning of disqualifying offence\ns 4B renum as s 6\nMeaning of registration notice\ns 4C renum as s 7\nMeaning of annual notice\ns 4D renum as s 8\nDefinitions for pt 2\ns 5 orig s 5 renum as s 9\n(prev s 4A) ins A2002-35 s 4\ndef annual notice ins A2002-35 s 4\nom A2018-25 s 10\ndef commercial brothel ins A2002-35 s 4\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 36 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndef commercial escort agency ins A2002-35 s 4\ndef commercial operator ins A2002-35 s 4\nom A2018-25 s 10\ndef disqualifying offence ins A2002-35 s 4\ndef interested person ins A2002-35 s 4\ndef police report ins A2002-35 s 4\nam A2011-49 amdt 1.15; A2017-4 amdt 3.104;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.166\ndef registration notice ins A2002-35 s 4\nom A2018-25 s 10\ndef required police report ins A2002-35 s 4\ndef sole operator ins A2002-35 s 4\nom A2018-25 s 10\ndef sole operator brothel ins A2002-35 s 4\nam A2018-25 s 11\ndef sole operator escort agency ins A2002-35 s 4\nam A2018-25 s 11\ndef the operator ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nMeaning of disqualifying offence\ns 6 orig s 6 renum as s 10\n(prev s 4B) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2002-51 amdts 1.29-1.31; A2003-8 amdt 1.16; A2004-56\namdt 1.50; A2005-53 amdt 1.124\nRegister\ns 6A renum as s 11\nRegistration notice etc to be given to registrar\ns 6B renum as s 12\nMeaning of registration notice\ns 7 orig s 7 renum as s 13\n(prev s 4C) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nom A2018-25 s 12\nOther notices to be given by operators and former operators\ns 7A renum as s 14\nInterested person—disqualifying offence\ns 7B renum as s 15\nPolice report to be given before person becomes interested person\ns 7C renum as s 16\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 37\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nMeaning of annual notice\ns 8 orig s 8 renum as s 17\n(prev s 4D) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nom A2018-25 s 12\nRegister and notices\ndiv 2.2 hdg ins A2002-35 s 4\nsub A2011-16 amdt 1.23\nRegistrar of Brothels and Escort Agencies\ns 9 orig s 9 renum as s 18\n(prev s 5) sub A1994-97 sch pt 1; A2002-30 amdt 3.619;\nA2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2011-22 amdt 1.358\nom A2011-16 amdt 1.24\nFunctions of registrar\ns 10 orig s 10 renum as s 19\n(prev s 6) am A1997-9 s 4; A2002-30 amdt 3.620; ss renum\nR3 LA\nsub A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nom A2011-16 amdt 1.24\nRegister\ns 11 orig s 11 renum as s 20\n(prev s 6A) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2011-16 amdt 1.28; A2018-25 ss 13-15\nRegistration notice etc to be given to commissioner—commercial operators\ns 12 hdg am A2011-16 amdt 1.28\ns 12 orig s 12 renum as s 21\n(prev s 6B) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2011-16 amdt 1.28\nsub A2018-25 s 16\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.166\nAnnual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial operators\ns 13 orig s 13 renum as s 22\n(prev s 7) am A1994-97 sch pt 1; A1994-26 sch; A1997-9 s 5;\nA2001-44 amdt 1.3312; R2 LA (see A2001-44 amdt 1.3313)\nsub A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2011-16 amdt 1.28\nsub A2018-25 s 16\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.166\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 38 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nOther notices to be given to commissioner—commercial operators and\nformer commercial operators\ns 14 orig s 14 renum as s 23\n(prev s 7A) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2011-16 amdt 1.28\nsub A2018-25 s 16\nInterested people—offences\ndiv 2.3 hdg ins A2002-35 s 4\nInterested people—disqualifying offences\ns 15 orig s 15 renum as s 24\n(prev s 7B) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nPolice report to be given before person becomes interested person\ns 16 orig s 16 renum as s 25\n(prev s 7C) ins A2002-35 s 4\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2011-16 amdt 1.28; A2018-25 s 17\nDuress\ns 17 orig s 17 renum as s 26\n(prev s 8) am A2002-35 amdt 1.1\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2008-26 amdt 2.126, amdt 2.127; A2017-4 amdt 3.105\nBrothels—other than in prescribed location\ns 18 orig s 18 renum as s 27\n(prev s 9) am A1998-54 sch\nsub A2002-35 s 5\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2018-25 s 18\nSoliciting\ns 19 orig s 19 om A2002-35 s 12\n(prev s 10) am A1998-54 sch\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2017-4 amdt 3.105; A2018-25 s 19\nCausing child to provide commercial sexual services etc\ns 20 orig s 20 renum as s 28\n(prev s 11) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nsub A2004-30 s 8\nam A2018-25 s 20\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 39\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nProceeds of commercial sexual services by child\ns 21 hdg sub A2018-25 s 21\ns 21 orig s 21 renum as s 29\n(prev s 12) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2017-4 amdt 3.105; A2018-25 s 22\nApproved forms\ns 21A renum as s 30\nFalse or misleading information\ns 21B renum as s 31\nAge of child—burden of proof\ns 22 orig s 22 renum as s 32\n(prev s 13) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nChild on premises\ns 23 (prev s 14) am A1998-54 sch; A2002-35 s 6\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2017-4 amdt 3.105\nInfected persons\ns 24 (prev s 15) am A1998-54 sch; A2002-35 s 7\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2010-30 amdt 1.50; A2017-4 amdt 3.105\nom A2018-25 s 23\nProviding or receiving commercial sexual services if infected\ns 25 hdg sub A2010-30 amdt 1.51\ns 25 (prev s 16) am A1998-54 sch\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2010-30 amdt 1.52; A2017-4 amdt 3.105\nom A2018-25 s 23\nMedical tests and examinations\ns 26 (prev s 17) am A1994-26 sch; A1998-54 sch; A2002-30\namdt 3.621, amdt 3.622; A2002-35 s 8, s 9\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nsub A2004-10 s 23\nam A2010-30 amdt 1.52; A2018-25 s 24, s 25\nCommercial operator must provide health and safety equipment\ns 26A ins A2018-25 s 27\nUse of prophylactics\ns 27 (prev s 18) am A1994-26 sch; A1998-54 sch; A2002-35 s 10,\ns 11\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2017-4 amdt 3.105; A2018-25 s 28\nEntry by police\ns 28 (prev s 20) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 40 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDetermination of fees\ns 29 (prev s 21) sub A2001-44 amdt 1.3314\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2017-4 amdt 3.106; A2025-29 amdt 4.166\nApproved forms\ns 30 (prev s 21A) ins A2002-35 s 13\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2011-16 amdt 1.28; A2017-4 amdt 3.106; A2025-29 amdt\n4.166\nFalse or misleading information\ns 31 (prev s 21B) ins A2002-35 s 13\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nom A2004-15 amdt 2.149\nRegulation-making power\ns 32 (prev s 22) am A1998-54 sch\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.3315\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nam A2010-30 amdt 1.53; A2018-25 s 29;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.166\nTransitional—registration notices etc for existing commercial brothels and\ncommercial escort agencies\ns 33 (prev s 23) ins A2002-35 s 14\nrenum A2002-35 amdt 1.3\nexp 16 June 2003 (s 33 (3), (4))\nSex Work Regulation 2018—sch 4\ns 34 ins A2018-25 s 30\nexp 9 August 2018 (s 34 (5))\nDisqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900\nsch 1 ins A2002-35 s 15\nam A2008-44 amdt 1.93; A2011-7 s 13; items renum R19 LA;\nA2013-12 s 43, s 44; items renum R23 LA; A2015-35\namdt 1.22; A2020-31 amdt 1.2; items renum R29 LA;\nA2022-13 amdt 1.4\nDisqualifying offences—this Act\nsch 2 ins A2002-35 s 15\nam A2004-10 s 24; A2010-30 amdt 1.54; A2018-25 ss 31-34;\nitems renum R26 LA\nDisqualifying offences—foreign countries\nsch 3 ins A2002-35 s 15\nss renum R11 LA\nam A2015-35 amdt 1.23; A2018-25 s 35\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 41\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSex Work Regulation 2018\nsch 4 ins A2018-25 s 36\nexp 9 August 2018 (s 34 (5))\nDictionary\ndict ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623\nam A2009-49 amdt 3.134; A2011-22 amdt 1.359; A2011-16\namdt 1.25; A2011-49 amdt 1.16; A2017-4\namdts 3.107-3.109; A2018-25 s 37\ndef annual notice ins A2002-35 s 16\nom A2018-25 s 38\ndef authorised nurse practitioner ins A2004-10 s 25\nom A2018-25 s 38\ndef brothel reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nam A2018-25 s 39\ndef commercial brothel ins A2002-35 s 16\ndef commercial escort agency ins A2002-35 s 16\ndef commercial operator ins A2002-35 s 16\nom A2018-25 s 40\ndef commercial sexual services reloc from s 3 A2002-30\namdt 3.617\nsub A2004-30 s 9\nam A2018-25 s 41\ndef commissioner ins A2011-16 amdt 1.26\ndef disqualifying offence ins A2002-35 s 16\ndef drug of dependence ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623\nom A2008-26 amdt 2.128\ndef employed ins A2002-35 s 17\nam A2018-25 s 42\ndef employing ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623\nom A2002-35 s 17\ndef escort agency reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nam A2018-25 s 43\ndef interested person ins A2002-35 s 18\ndef medical examination reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nom A2004-10 s 26\ndef nurse practitioner position ins A2004-10 s 27\nsub A2006-27 amdt 2.8\nom A2018-25 s 44\ndef operator reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nsub A2002-35 s 19\ndef police report ins A2002-35 s 20\ndef premises reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\ndef premises used by a single prostitute reloc from s 3\nA2002-30 amdt 3.617\nam A2002-35 amdt 1.2\nom A2018-25 s 45\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 42 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndef premises used by a single sex worker ins A2018-25\ns 46\ndef prophylactic reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nam A2010-30 amdt 1.55\ndef prostitute reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nom A2018-25 s 47\ndef prostitution reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nom A2018-25 s 47\ndef public place ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623\nom A2018-25 s 47\ndef registrar ins A1994-97 sch pt 1\nreloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nsub A2002-35 s 21\nom A2011-16 amdt 1.27\ndef registration notice ins A2002-35 s 22\nom A2018-25 s 47\ndef required police report ins A2002-35 s 22\ndef scope of practice ins A2004-10 s 27\nsub A2006-27 amdt 2.9\nom A2018-25 s 47\ndef sexually transmitted disease am A1997-70 sch 3\nreloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\nsub A2002-35 s 23; A2006-46 amdt 2.36\nom A2010-30 amdt 1.56\ndef sexually transmissible infection ins A2010-30 amdt 1.56\ndef sexual services reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617\ndef sex work ins A2018-25 s 48\ndef sole operator ins A2002-35 s 24\nom A2018-25 s 49\ndef sole operator brothel ins A2002-35 s 24\ndef sole operator escort agency ins A2002-35 s 24\ndef the operator ins A2002-35 s 24\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR31\n05/01/26\nSex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 43\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 A1994-97 28 February 1995\n2 A2001-44 12 September 2001\n3 A2002-30 17 September 2002\n4 A2002-35 16 December 2002\n5 A2002-51 1 January 2003\n6 A2003-8 17 June 2003\n7* A2003-8 15 August 2003\n8 A2004-15 9 April 2004\n9 (RI) †† A2004-15 5 July 2013\n9 (RI No 2) †† A2004-15 † 5 July 2013\n10 (RI) †† A2004-30 5 July 2013\n11 (RI) †† A2004-56 5 July 2013\n12 (RI) †† A2005-53 5 July 2013\n13 (RI) †† A2006-46 5 July 2013\n14 (RI) †† A2006-46 5 July 2013\n15 (RI) †† A2008-44 5 July 2013\n16 (RI) †† A2008-44 5 July 2013\n17 (RI) †† A2009-49 5 July 2013\n18 (RI) †† A2010-30 5 July 2013\n19 (RI) †† A2011-7 5 July 2013\n20 (RI) †† A2011-22 5 July 2013\n21 (RI) †† A2011-22 5 July 2013\n\nEndnotes\n6 Renumbered provisions\npage 44 Sex Work Act 1992\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR31\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n22 (RI) †† A2011-49 5 July 2013\n23 (RI) †† A2013-12 5 July 2013\n24 A2015-35 2 October 2015\n25 A2017-4 9 March 2017\n26 A2018-25 9 August 2018\n27 A2018-25 10 August 2018\n28 A2019-33 10 October 2019\n29 A2020-31 1 September 2020\n30 A2022-13 17 August 2022\n† reissue for retrospective amendment by A2004-30 s 7\n†† reissue for textual correction (s 4)\n6 Renumbered provisions\nThis Act was renumbered under the Legislation Act 2001, in R4 (see Prostitution\nAmendment Act 2002 A2002-35). Details of renumbered provisions are shown in\nendnote 4 (Amendment history). For a table showing the renumbered provisions,\nsee R10.\n© Australian Capital Territory 2026","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's scope has been expanded since 1992 to add a formal registration and background‑check regime for commercial brothels and escort agencies (Part 2, ss 5–16; inserted by Prostitution Amendment Act 2002 A2002‑35), and to introduce explicit health, safety and supply obligations for operators and sex workers (ss 26, 26A, 27; amended/inserted by A2018‑25 and later acts). Amendment history shows repeated additions and renumbering that broadened administrative, criminal and regulatory coverage (see endnote amendment history)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to multiple other laws (Criminal Code, Crimes Act 1900, Migration Act) and schedules listing many disqualifying offences (s 3A; s 6; schs 1–3).","Dual administrative and criminal regimes: mandatory registration, public register and reporting duties alongside criminal offences with imprisonment and penalty units (pt 2; ss 12–16; pt 3).","Mixed fault standards: presence of strict liability and absolute liability for child‑related offences (ss 20(2),(4); 26(3)).","Detailed evidentiary and privacy elements: required police reports with fingerprint imprints for 'interested persons' (s 5; s 12).","Operational compliance burdens on operators: supply of prophylactics and PPE, prohibition on charging for them, and hygiene/inspection regulation powers (ss 26A, 27, 32).","Enforcement discretions spread across agencies: commissioner for fair trading (register/forms), Minister (fees), Executive (regulations), and police entry powers (ss 11, 29–30, 32, 28).","Numerous definitional distinctions (commercial vs sole operator; escort agency vs brothel) that affect who must register and which offences apply (s 5; dict.)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act regulates sex work in the ACT by creating a registration and background‑check regime for commercial brothels and escort agencies, criminal offences for coercion, child exploitation and unlicensed brothels, and health‑and‑safety duties for operators and sex workers. It empowers the commissioner and Minister to keep a public register, set fees and make forms, and gives police entry powers for suspected child‑related or exploitation offences. The rules change incentives for operators (registration, supply of prophylactics, restrictions on hiring) and impose criminal penalties for non‑compliance (see ss 11–16, 26–27, 28–29)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Originally enacted as the Prostitution Act 1992, the legislation has evolved significantly beyond simple decriminalisation. The 2002 amendments introduced a comprehensive registration system for commercial operators. The 2018 amendments renamed the Act and expanded occupational health and safety obligations, including specific requirements for personal protective equipment (s 26A) and strengthened protections against exploitation. The scope has shifted from primarily location control and basic registration to a detailed workplace safety and anti-exploitation framework, with increased cross-references to modern criminal law concepts and external statutes."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms with signpost definitions linking to specific sections (e.g., 'commercial brothel, for part 2—see section 5')","Extensive cross-referencing to external legislation including the Crimes Act 1900, Criminal Code, Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008, and Migration Act 1958","Three schedules listing disqualifying offences across ACT, Commonwealth, and foreign jurisdictions","Nested conditional logic in offence provisions (e.g., section 20 distinguishes between children under 12 and 12+, with absolute liability applying to age elements)","Multiple exceptions and carve-outs (e.g., sole operators exempt from Part 2 registration, accommodation premises excluded from 'brothel' definition)","Application of different criminal responsibility standards: strict liability (s 26(3)), absolute liability (s 20(2), (4)), and recklessness/knowledge (s 15(2))","Historical layering visible in amendment history showing significant restructuring in 2002 and 2018 (renaming from 'Prostitution' to 'Sex Work')"],"plain_english_summary":"The Sex Work Act 1992 legalises and regulates adult sex work in the ACT, replacing criminalisation with a licensing, registration and public‑health approach. It requires commercial operators to register and be screened, protects sex workers’ health and safety (mandatory prophylactics, free PPE), bans coercion and exploitation, criminalises child involvement, restricts brothel locations, and bans street solicitation. It affects sex workers, brothel/agency operators, clients and police, shifting the focus to occupational safety and preventing abuse while keeping strict penalties for serious offences."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/sex-work-act-1992","history":"/api/acts/sex-work-act-1992/history","analysis":"/api/acts/sex-work-act-1992/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/sex-work-act-1992/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/sex-work-act-1992/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/sex-work-act-1992/documents"}}