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Australian Capital Territory
Sex Work Act 1992
A1992-64
Republication No 31
Effective: 5 January 2026
Republication date: 5 January 2026
Last amendment made by A2025-29
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
About this republication
The republished law
This is a republication of the Sex Work Act 1992 (including any amendment made under the
Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 5 January 2026. It also includes
any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to
5 January 2026.
The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3
and 4.
Kinds of republications
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT
legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):
• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies
• unauthorised republications.
The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial
amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.
Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by
an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The
changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into
line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.
This republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).
Uncommenced provisions and amendments
If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately
before the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law
are accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more
information, see the home page for this law on the register.
Modifications
If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the
symbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying
provision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation
Act 2001, section 95.
Penalties
At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an
individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).
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contents 1
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Australian Capital Territory
Sex Work Act 1992
Contents
Page
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act 2
2 Dictionary 2
3 Notes 2
3A Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 3
4 Objects 3
Part 2 Registration
Division 2.1 Interpretation
5 Definitions for pt 2 4
6 Meaning of disqualifying offence 5
Division 2.2 Register and notices
11 Register 6
Contents
Page
contents 2 Sex Work Act 1992
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12 Registration notice etc to be given to commissioner—commercial
operators 7
13 Annual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial operators 8
14 Other notices to be given to commissioner—commercial operators and
former commercial operators 9
Division 2.3 Interested people—offences
15 Interested person—disqualifying offence 10
16 Police report to be given before person becomes interested person 11
Part 3 Offences
17 Duress 12
18 Brothels—other than in prescribed location 13
19 Soliciting 13
20 Causing child to provide commercial sexual services etc 14
21 Proceeds of commercial sexual services by child 14
22 Age of child—burden of proof 15
23 Child on premises 15
26 Medical tests and examinations 15
26A Commercial operator must provide health and safety equipment 17
27 Use of prophylactics 18
Part 4 Miscellaneous
28 Entry by police 20
29 Determination of fees 20
30 Approved forms 20
32 Regulation-making power 20
Schedule 1 Disqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900 22
Schedule 2 Disqualifying offences—this Act 24
Schedule 3 Disqualifying offences—foreign countries 25
3.1 Kinds of offences 25
Contents
Page
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Dictionary 26
Endnotes
1 About the endnotes 29
2 Abbreviation key 29
3 Legislation history 30
4 Amendment history 35
5 Earlier republications 43
6 Renumbered provisions 44
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Australian Capital Territory
Sex Work Act 1992
An Act to regulate certain aspects of sex work
Part 1 Preliminary
Section 1
page 2 Sex Work Act 1992
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Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
This Act is the Sex Work Act 1992.
2 Dictionary
The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.
Note 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this
Act, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined
elsewhere in this Act.
For example, the signpost definition ‘commercial brothel, for part 2
(Registration)—see section 5.’ means that the term ‘commercial brothel’
is defined in that section for part 2.
Note 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to
the entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,
provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see
Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).
3 Notes
A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.
Note See Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.
Preliminary Part 1
Section 3A
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3A Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc
Other legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.
Note 1 Criminal Code
The Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to the following offences against this
Act (see Code, pt 2.1):
• s 12 (Registration notice etc to be given to commissioner—
commercial operators)
• s 13 (Annual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial
operators)
• s 14 (Other notices to be given to commissioner—commercial
operators and former commercial operators)
• s 20 (Causing child to provide commercial sexual services etc)
• s 26 (Medical tests and examinations)
• s 26A (Commercial operator must provide health and safety
equipment).
The chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility
(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used
for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,
recklessness and strict liability).
Note 2 Penalty units
The Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties
that are expressed in penalty units.
4 Objects
The objects of the Act are as follows:
(a) to safeguard public health;
(b) to promote the welfare and occupational health and safety of sex
workers;
(c) to protect the social and physical environment of the community
by controlling the location of brothels;
(d) to protect children from sexual exploitation.
Part 2 Registration
Division 2.1 Interpretation
Section 5
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Part 2 Registration
Division 2.1 Interpretation
5 Definitions for pt 2
In this part:
commercial brothel means a brothel other than a sole operator
brothel.
commercial escort agency means an escort agency other than a sole
operator escort agency.
disqualifying offence—see section 6.
interested person, in relation to a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency, means any of the following:
(a) each operator;
(b) each owner who is an individual;
(c) each director of an owner that is a corporation.
police report, for a person, means a report by a police officer or the
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission about the person’s
criminal record made on a form that—
(a) contains a consent by the person to a police officer or the
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission making inquiries
about the person’s criminal record; and
(b) contains imprints of the fingers and palms of both hands of the
person.
required police report, in relation to a commercial brothel or
commercial escort agency, means a police report for each interested
person in relation to the brothel or escort agency.
Registration Part 2
Interpretation Division 2.1
Section 6
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sole operator brothel means a brothel—
(a) the premises of which are premises used by a single sex worker;
and
(b) the business of which is solely owned and operated by the single
sex worker.
sole operator escort agency means an escort agency solely owned
and operated by a single sex worker.
the operator, of a commercial brothel or commercial escort agency—
(a) if there is only 1 operator of the brothel or escort agency—the
operator; or
(b) if there are 2 or more operators of the brothel or escort agency—
each operator.
6 Meaning of disqualifying offence
(1) In this part:
disqualifying offence means—
(a) an offence against any of the following:
(i) a provision of the Crimes Act 1900 mentioned in
schedule 1;
(ii) a provision of this Act mentioned in schedule 2;
(iii) the Crimes Act 1900, section 114B (Money laundering);
(iv) the Criminal Code, chapter 6 (Serious drug offences); or
Note A reference to an offence against a Territory law includes a reference to
a related ancillary offence, eg attempt (see Legislation Act, s 189).
(b) an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or
another Territory corresponding to an offence mentioned in
paragraph (a); or
Part 2 Registration
Division 2.2 Register and notices
Section 11
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(c) an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or
another Territory corresponding to a provision of the Criminal
Code, part 2.4 (Extensions of criminal responsibility) or
section 717 (Accessory after the fact) in relation to an offence
mentioned in paragraph (a); or
(d) an offence against the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth),
section 232A (Organising bringing groups of non-citizens into
Australia), section 233 (1) (about bringing etc non-citizens into
Australia in contravention of the Act) or section 233A (Other
offences relating to groups of non-citizens etc); or
(e) an offence against a Commonwealth law corresponding to a
provision of the Criminal Code, part 2.4 (Extensions of criminal
responsibility) or section 717 (Accessory after the fact) in
relation to an offence mentioned in paragraph (d); or
(f) an offence against a law of a foreign country of a kind mentioned
in schedule 3.
(2) To remove any doubt, this section applies to offences committed
before or after the commencement of this section.
Division 2.2 Register and notices
11 Register
(1) The commissioner must keep a register of information provided by
operators of commercial brothels and commercial escort agencies in
notices under this part.
(2) Subsection (1) does not require the commissioner to include or keep
in the register information about a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency that has ceased to operate.
(3) The commissioner must make information in the register available for
public inspection.
Registration Part 2
Register and notices Division 2.2
Section 12
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12 Registration notice etc to be given to commissioner—
commercial operators
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency; and
(b) both of the following are not given to the commissioner at least
7 days before the day the brothel or escort agency begins to
operate:
(i) a registration notice;
(ii) a required police report in relation to the brothel or escort
agency.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
(2) In this section:
registration notice, in relation to a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency, means a written notice containing the following
particulars in relation to the brothel or escort agency:
(a) its business name (if any) and address;
(b) the name and home address of each person in day-to-day control
of the brothel or escort agency;
(c) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is an
individual—the name and home address of each individual who
is an owner;
(d) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is a
corporation—the following for each corporation that is an
owner:
(i) its name and business address;
Part 2 Registration
Division 2.2 Register and notices
Section 13
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(ii) the name and home address of each director and each
shareholder;
(e) for each interested person in relation to the brothel or escort
agency—a statement about whether or not the person has been
convicted, or found guilty, of a disqualifying offence.
13 Annual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial
operators
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency; and
(b) an annual notice for the year for the brothel or escort agency is
not given to the commissioner before 1 October of that year.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
(2) In this section:
annual notice, in relation to a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency, means a written notice containing the following
particulars in relation to the brothel or escort agency:
(a) its business name (if any) and address;
(b) the name and home address of each person in day-to-day control
of the brothel or escort agency;
(c) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is an
individual—the name and home address of each individual who
is an owner;
(d) if the owner (or an owner) of the brothel or escort agency is a
corporation—the following for each corporation that is an
owner:
(i) its name and business address;
Registration Part 2
Register and notices Division 2.2
Section 14
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(ii) the name and home address of each director and each
shareholder;
(e) for each interested person in relation to the brothel or escort
agency—a statement about whether or not the person has been
convicted, or found guilty, of a disqualifying offence.
14 Other notices to be given to commissioner—commercial
operators and former commercial operators
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency; and
(b) any information given to the commissioner in a notice under this
division changes; and
(c) written notice of the new information is not given to the
commissioner within 7 days after the day the information
changes.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
(2) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person is an operator of a commercial brothel or commercial
escort agency; and
(b) the brothel or escort agency stops operating; and
(c) written notice that the brothel or escort agency stopped
operating is not given to the commissioner within 7 days after
the last day the brothel or escort agency operated.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
Part 2 Registration
Division 2.3 Interested people—offences
Section 15
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Division 2.3 Interested people—offences
15 Interested person—disqualifying offence
(1) A person who has been convicted or found guilty of a disqualifying
offence must not—
(a) become an interested person in relation to a commercial brothel
or commercial escort agency; or
(b) continue to be an interested person in relation to a commercial
brothel or commercial escort agency.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
(2) Any other interested person (the other interested person) in relation
to a commercial brothel or commercial escort agency commits an
offence if—
(a) an interested person mentioned in subsection (1) becomes, or
continues to be, an interested person in relation to the brothel or
escort agency; and
(b) the other interested person knows that, or is reckless as to
whether, a person who becomes, or continues to be, an interested
person in relation to the brothel or escort agency is an interested
person mentioned in subsection (1).
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
Registration Part 2
Interested people—offences Division 2.3
Section 16
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16 Police report to be given before person becomes
interested person
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to give the
commissioner a police report for the person at least 7 days before the
person becomes an interested person in relation to a commercial
brothel or commercial escort agency.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
Part 3 Offences
Section 17
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Part 3 Offences
17 Duress
(1) A person must not, for the purpose of inducing a person to provide or
to continue to provide commercial sexual services—
(a) intimidate, assault or threaten to assault any person; or
(b) supply or offer to supply a controlled medicine or prohibited
substance to any person; or
(c) make a false representation or otherwise act fraudulently.
Maximum penalty: imprisonment for 6 years.
(2) A person must not—
(a) intimidate, assault or threaten to assault a person; or
(b) supply or offer to supply a controlled medicine or prohibited
substance to a person;
for the purpose of inducing any person to provide or continue to
provide him or her with payment derived, directly or indirectly, from
the provision of commercial sexual services.
Maximum penalty: imprisonment for 6 years.
(3) In this section:
controlled medicine—see the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic
Goods Act 2008, section 11.
prohibited substance—see the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic
Goods Act 2008, section 13.
Offences Part 3
Section 18
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18 Brothels—other than in prescribed location
(1) A person must not operate a brothel other than in a prescribed
location.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
(2) Each owner of a brothel that operates other than in a prescribed
location commits an offence.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year or
both.
(3) This section does not apply to an escort agency or premises used by
a single sex worker.
19 Soliciting
(1) A person must not, for the purpose of offering or procuring
commercial sexual services, accost any person, or solicit or loiter, in
a public place.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) A person must not, for the purpose of offering or procuring
commercial sexual services, accost a child in a public place.
Maximum penalty: imprisonment for 3 years.
(3) In this section:
public place means any street, road, public park, reserve, or any
building, premises or other place that the public are entitled to use or
that is open to, or used by, the public (whether on payment or
otherwise).
Part 3 Offences
Section 20
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20 Causing child to provide commercial sexual services etc
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person causes, permits, offers or procures a child to provide
commercial sexual services; and
(b) the child is under 12 years old.
Maximum penalty: 1 500 penalty units, imprisonment for 15 years
or both.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1) (b).
(3) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person causes, permits, offers or procures a child to provide
commercial sexual services; and
(b) the child is 12 years old or older.
Maximum penalty: 1 000 penalty units, imprisonment for 10 years
or both.
(4) Absolute liability applies to subsection (3) (b).
21 Proceeds of commercial sexual services by child
(1) A person must not receive a payment that he or she knows, or could
reasonably be expected to have known, is derived, directly or
indirectly, from commercial sexual services provided by a child.
Maximum penalty: imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a payment received in the
ordinary course of a business other than sex work.
Offences Part 3
Section 22
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22 Age of child—burden of proof
It is a defence to a prosecution under section 19 (2) or 20 if it is
established that the defendant—
(a) took reasonable steps to ascertain the age of the child concerned;
and
(b) believed on reasonable grounds that the child had attained
18 years of age.
23 Child on premises
An operator or owner of a brothel or escort agency must not, without
reasonable excuse, permit a child to be on the premises.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
26 Medical tests and examinations
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person is an operator or owner of a brothel or escort agency;
and
(b) the person fails to take reasonable steps to ensure that 1 or more
of the following is not used to induce someone else to believe
that the sex worker is not infected with a sexually transmissible
infection:
(i) the fact that a sex worker had a medical test;
(ii) the fact that a sex worker had a medical examination by a
doctor or nurse practitioner;
(iii) the result of a sex worker’s medical test;
(iv) the result of a sex worker’s medical examination by a
doctor or nurse practitioner.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
Part 3 Offences
Section 26
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(2) A sex worker commits an offence if—
(a) the sex worker tells someone else—
(i) that the sex worker had a medical test; or
(ii) that the sex worker had a medical examination by a doctor
or nurse practitioner; or
(iii) the result of the sex worker’s medical test; or
(iv) the result of the sex worker’s medical examination by a
doctor or nurse practitioner; and
(b) the sex worker—
(i) intends the person to believe that the sex worker is not
infected with a sexually transmissible infection; or
(ii) is reckless about whether the person believes that the sex
worker is not infected with a sexually transmissible
infection.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
(3) An offence against subsection (1) is a strict liability offence.
(4) This section does not apply to an operator or owner of a brothel or
escort agency if the operator or owner uses a sex worker’s medical
test, a sex worker’s medical examination by a doctor or nurse
practitioner, or the result of a sex worker’s medical test or medical
examination by a doctor or nurse practitioner, to satisfy himself or
herself that the sex worker is not infected with a sexually
transmissible infection.
(5) In this section:
medical test means the taking of a sample of tissue, blood, urine or
other bodily material for medical testing.
Offences Part 3
Section 26A
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26A Commercial operator must provide health and safety
equipment
(1) A person commits an offence if the person—
(a) is the operator of a commercial brothel or commercial escort
agency; and
(b) fails to provide a sex worker employed at the brothel, or from
the escort agency, prophylactics in sufficient quantity to allow
the sex worker to comply with section 27 (3).
Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units.
(2) A person commits an offence if the person—
(a) is the operator of a commercial brothel or commercial escort
agency; and
(b) fails to—
(i) provide a sex worker employed at the brothel, or from the
escort agency, personal protective equipment; and
(ii) take reasonable steps to ensure the sex worker uses the
personal protective equipment to minimise the risk to the
sex worker’s health or safety.
Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units.
(3) A person commits an offence if the person—
(a) is the operator of a commercial brothel or commercial escort
agency; and
(b) provides a sex worker employed at the brothel, or from the
escort agency, prophylactics or personal protective equipment;
and
(c) charges, or imposes a levy on, the sex worker for the
prophylactics or personal protective equipment.
Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units.
Part 3 Offences
Section 27
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(4) In this section:
commercial brothel—see section 5.
commercial escort agency—see section 5.
personal protective equipment, in relation to sex work, means
anything used or worn by a sex worker to minimise risk to the sex
worker’s health or safety from engaging in sex work.
Examples—personal protective equipment
dental dams, latex gloves, water-based lubricants, sponges
27 Use of prophylactics
(1) Each operator and owner of a brothel or escort agency must take
reasonable steps to ensure that no person provides or receives
commercial sexual services at the brothel or escort agency, being
services which involve vaginal, oral or anal penetration by any
means, unless a prophylactic is used.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
(2) An operator or owner of a brothel must not discourage the use of
prophylactics at the brothel.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units.
(3) A person must not, at a brothel or elsewhere, provide or receive
commercial sexual services that involve vaginal, oral or anal
penetration by any means unless a prophylactic is used.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
Note It is also an offence not to take reasonable precautions against
transmitting a notifiable condition (see Public Health Regulation 2000,
s 21 (1)).
Offences Part 3
Section 27
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(4) A person must not, at a brothel or elsewhere, while providing or
receiving commercial sexual services that involve oral, anal or
vaginal penetration—
(a) misuse, damage or interfere with the efficacy of any
prophylactic used; or
(b) continue to use a prophylactic that he or she knows, or could
reasonably be expected to know, is damaged.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
Part 4 Miscellaneous
Section 28
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Part 4 Miscellaneous
28 Entry by police
A police officer may enter a brothel or escort agency if the officer
believes on reasonable grounds that—
(a) an offence against section 20, 21 or 23 has been, is being or is
likely to be committed on the premises; and
(b) it is necessary to enter the premises for the purpose of preventing
the commission or repetition of such an offence, investigating
such an offence or apprehending an offender.
29 Determination of fees
(1) The Minister may determine fees for this Act.
(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.
30 Approved forms
(1) The commissioner may approve forms for this Act.
(2) If the commissioner approves a form for a particular purpose, the
approved form must be used for that purpose.
(3) An approved form is a notifiable instrument.
32 Regulation-making power
(1) The Executive may make regulations for this Act.
(2) The regulations may make provision in relation to the following
matters:
(a) the cleanliness of brothels;
(b) the provision, use and laundering of towels and other items of
linen;
Miscellaneous Part 4
Section 32
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(c) hygiene standards for swimming pools, spa baths and sexual
aids used in brothels;
(d) provision of, and hygiene standards for, showers and washing
and toilet facilities in brothels;
(e) the disposal of prophylactics used in brothels;
(f) the inspection of brothels and escort agencies to ensure
compliance with this Act;
(g) the provision of information relating to sexually transmissible
infections to sex workers employed at brothels or from escort
agencies and to clients;
(h) safeguarding the health of clients and sex workers employed at
brothels and from escort agencies;
(i) the provision of assistance to sex workers in gaining access to
job retraining, job skills improvement schemes and further
education;
(j) the size, form and content of advertisements relating to brothels
and escort agencies.
(3) The regulations may also prescribe offences for contraventions of the
regulations and prescribe maximum penalties of not more than 10
penalty units for offences against the regulations.
Schedule 1 Disqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900
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Schedule 1 Disqualifying offences—
Crimes Act 1900
(see s 6 (1), def disqualifying offence, par (a) (i))
column 1
item
column 2
section
column 3
description
1 12 murder
2 19 intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm
3 20 recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm
4 22 assault with intent to commit other offence
5 32 (1) (a) make demand with threat to kill or inflict grievous bodily harm
6 32 (2) (a) make demand with threat to endanger health etc
7 35 stalking
8 36 torture
9 38 kidnapping
10 51 sexual assault in the first degree
11 52 sexual assault in the second degree
12 53 sexual assault in the third degree
13 54 sexual intercourse without consent
14 55 sexual intercourse with young person
15 55A sexual intercourse with young person under special care
16 56 persistent sexual abuse of child or young person under special
care
17 57 act of indecency in the first degree
18 58 act of indecency in the second degree
19 59 act of indecency in the third degree
20 60 act of indecency without consent
21 61 acts of indecency with young people
Disqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900 Schedule 1
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column 1
item
column 2
section
column 3
description
22 61A act of indecency with young person under special care
23 62 incest and similar offences
24 63 abduction
25 63A bestiality
26 64 employment of young people for pornographic purposes
27 65 possession of child exploitation material
28 79 sexual servitude offences
29 80 deceptive recruiting for sexual services
Schedule 2 Disqualifying offences—this Act
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Schedule 2 Disqualifying offences—this
Act
(see s 6 (1), def disqualifying offence, par (a) (ii))
column 1
item
column 2
section
column 3
description
1 17 duress used to induce person to provide commercial sexual
services
2 18 brothel operating other than in prescribed location
3 19 (2) accost a child for the purpose of offering or getting commercial
sexual services
4 20 cause or permit child to provide commercial sexual services
5 21 receive proceeds of commercial sexual services by child
6 23 permit child on premises
7 26 obligations in relation to medical test and medical examination
of sex worker
8 26A obligation to supply health and safety equipment
9 27 obligations about use of prophylactics
Disqualifying offences—foreign countries Schedule 3
Section 3.1
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Schedule 3 Disqualifying offences—
foreign countries
(see s 6 (1), def disqualifying offence, par (f))
3.1 Kinds of offences
(1) An offence that consists of or involves—
(a) murder; or
(b) torture, abduction or kidnapping; or
(c) sexual assault; or
(d) sexual servitude; or
(e) child exploitation material; or
(f) violence, intimidation or coercion related to provision of
commercial sexual services; or
(g) causing serious physical harm to another person; or
(h) money laundering; or
(i) illegal immigration; or
(j) supplying illegal drugs.
(2) An offence that consists of, or involves, in relation to an offence
mentioned in subsection (1)—
(a) aiding and abetting the commission of the offence, or
(b) being an accessory after the fact; or
(c) attempting, inciting a person, or conspiring, to commit the
offence.
Dictionary
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Dictionary
(see s 2)
Note 1 The Legislation Act 2001 contains definitions and other provisions
relevant to this Act.
Note 2 In particular, the Legislation Act 2001, dict, pt 1, defines the following
terms:
• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
• child
• commissioner for fair trading
• doctor
• exercise
• found guilty
• function
• home address
• nurse practitioner
• police officer.
brothel means premises used or to be used for the purpose of sex
work, but does not include premises where accommodation is
normally provided on a commercial basis if the sex work occurs under
an arrangement initiated elsewhere.
commercial brothel, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
commercial escort agency, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
commercial sexual services means sexual services provided for
monetary consideration or any other form of consideration or material
reward (regardless of whether the consideration or reward is, or is to
be, paid or given to the person providing the sexual services or
another person).
commissioner means the commissioner for fair trading.
disqualifying offence, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 6.
Dictionary
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employed—a sex worker is employed at a brothel or from an escort
agency if the sex worker provides commercial sexual services at the
brothel, or from the escort agency, under a contract of service or a
contract for services.
escort agency means a business of arranging sex work, being a
business carried on at premises other than a brothel.
interested person, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
operator, of a brothel or escort agency, includes a person in
day-to-day control of the brothel or escort agency.
police report, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
premises includes a part of premises.
premises used by a single sex worker means premises used by not
more than 1 sex worker other than—
(a) premises adjacent to or, for town houses, units or apartments, in
the same block as, other premises that are used for sex work; or
(b) premises at which the provision of commercial sexual services
is arranged by a person (other than the sex worker) who arranges
clients for other sex workers; or
(c) premises to which clients are referred by other sex workers, or
from which clients are referred to other sex workers.
prophylactic means a condom or other device that is adequate to
prevent the transmission of a sexually transmissible infection.
required police report, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
sexually transmissible infection means—
(a) chancroid, chlamydial infection, donovanosis, gonorrhoea,
HIV/AIDS, lymphogranuloma venereum or syphilis; or
(b) an infection prescribed by regulation.
Dictionary
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sexual services means—
(a) an act of sexual intercourse as defined in the Crimes Act 1900,
section 50; or
(b) the masturbation of one person by another; or
(c) any activity that involves the use of one person by another for
his or her sexual gratification.
sex work means the provision of commercial sexual services by an
adult.
sole operator brothel, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
sole operator escort agency, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
the operator, for part 2 (Registration)—see section 5.
Endnotes
About the endnotes 1
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Endnotes
1 About the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the
amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law
but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are
annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be
obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details
of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are
underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered
provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
2 Abbreviation key
A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form o = order
am = amended om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution orig = original
ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice pres = present
def = definition prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule
Assembly reloc = relocated
div = division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette RI = reissue
hdg = heading s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification or to be expired
Endnotes
3 Legislation history
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3 Legislation history
The Sex Work Act 1992 was originally the Prostitution Act 1992. It was renamed
by the Prostitution Amendment Act 2018 A2018-25 (see s 6).
Sex Work Act 1992 A1992-64
notified 1 December 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S208)
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1992 (s 2 (1))
remainder commenced 7 May 1993 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1993 No S75)
as amended by
Statute Law Revision Act 1994 A1994-26 sch
notified 31 May 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S93)
commenced 31 May 1994 (s 2)
Statutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994 A1994-97 sch
pt 1
notified 15 December 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S280)
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (1))
sch pt 1 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994
No S293)
Prostitution (Amendment) Act 1997 A1997-9
notified 12 May 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S130)
commenced 12 May 1997 (s 2)
Public Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 A1997-70 sch 1,
sch 3
notified 9 October 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S300)
ss 1-3 commenced 9 October 1997 (s 2 (1))
sch 1 commenced 13 August 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No S185)
sch 3 commenced 10 July 2001 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 2001 No S45)
Statute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998 A1998-54 sch
notified 27 November 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S207)
s 1, s 2 commenced 27 November 1998 (s 2 (1))
sch commenced 9 December 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No 49)
Endnotes
Legislation history 3
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Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 303
notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)
pt 303 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001
No S65)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2002 A2002-30 pt 3.54
notified LR 16 September 2002
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 19 May 1997 (LA s 75 (2))
pt 3.54 commenced 17 September 2002 (s 2 (1))
Prostitution Amendment Act 2002 A2002-35
notified LR 8 October 2002
s 1, s 2 commenced 8 October 2002 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 16 December 2002 (s 2 and CN2002-15)
Criminal Code 2002 No 51 pt 1.14
notified LR 20 December 2002
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2002 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 1.14 commenced 1 January 2003 (s 2 (1))
Confiscation of Criminal Assets Act 2003 A2003-8 sch 1 pt 1.3
notified LR 27 March 2003
s 1, s 2 commenced 27 March 2003 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 15 August 2003 (s 2 and CN2003-7)
Nurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-10 pt 8
notified LR 19 March 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 19 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 8 commenced 27 May 2004 (s 2 and CN2004-9)
Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences)
Amendment Act 2004 A2004-15 sch 2 pt 2.72
notified LR 26 March 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.72 commenced 9 April 2004 (s 2 (1))
Endnotes
3 Legislation history
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Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-30 pt 3
notified LR 7 July 2004
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 27 May 2004 (LA s 75 (2))
s 7 taken to have commenced 27 May 2004 (s 2 (2) and see Nurse
Practitioners Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-10, s 2 and
CN2004-9)
pt 3 remainder commenced 8 July 2004 (s 2 (1))
Criminal Code (Serious Drug Offences) Amendment Act 2004
A2004-56 sch 1 pt 1.5
notified LR 6 September 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 September 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 6 March 2005 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Criminal Code (Administration of Justice Offences) Amendment
Act 2005 A2005-53 sch 1 pt 1.24
notified LR 26 October 2005
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 October 2005 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.24 commenced 23 November 2005 (s 2)
Health Legislation Amendment Act 2006 A2006-27 sch 2 pt 2.6
notified LR 14 June 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 14 June 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.6 commenced 14 December 2006 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Health Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (No 2) A2006-46 sch 2
pt 2.14
notified LR 17 November 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 November 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.14 commenced 18 November 2006 (s 2 (1))
Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008 A2008-26 sch 2
pt 2.19
notified LR 14 August 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 14 August 2008 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.19 commenced 14 February 2009 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2008 A2008-44 sch 1 pt 1.12
notified LR 9 September 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 9 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.12 commenced 30 May 2009 (s 2 and CN2009-4)
Endnotes
Legislation history 3
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Statute Law Amendment Act 2009 (No 2) A2009-49 sch 3 pt 3.57
notified LR 26 November 2009
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 November 2009 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.57 commenced 17 December 2009 (s 2)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010
(No 2) A2010-30 sch 1 pt 1.18
notified LR 31 August 2010
s 1, s 2 commenced 31 August 2010 (LA s 75 (1))
s 3 commenced 1 September 2010 (s 2 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.18 commenced 28 September 2010 (s 2 (2))
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2011 A2011-7 pt 5
notified LR 16 March 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 16 March 2011 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 5 commenced 17 March 2011 (s 2)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2011
A2011-16 sch 1 pt 1.7
notified LR 17 May 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2011 (LA s 75 (a))
sch 1 pt 1.7 commenced 17 November 2011 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)
Act 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.124
notified LR 30 June 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.124 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2011
(No 3) A2011-49 sch 1 pt 1.8
notified LR 22 November 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 22 November 2011 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.8 commenced 12 December 2011 (s 2 (2) (a) and see
Statute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 3) A2011-52 s 2)
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2013 A2013-12 pt 10
notified LR 17 April 2013
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 April 2013 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 10 commenced 24 April 2013 (s 2)
Endnotes
3 Legislation history
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Crimes (Child Sex Offenders) Amendment Act 2015 A2015-35 sch 1
pt 1.5
notified LR 1 October 2015
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 October 2015 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 2 October 2015 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2017 A2017-4 sch 3 pt 3.20
notified LR 23 February 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.20 commenced 9 March 2017 (s 2)
Prostitution Amendment Act 2018 A2018-25
notified LR 8 August 2018
s 1, s 2 commenced 8 August 2018 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 9 August 2018 (s 2)
Health Amendment Act 2019 A2019-33 s 14
notified LR 9 October 2019
s 1, s 2 commenced 9 October 2019 (LA s 75 (1))
s 14 commenced 10 October 2019 (s 2)
Royal Commission Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2020
A2020-31 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 29 July 2020
s 1, s 2 commenced 29 July 2020 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 1 September 2020 (s 2 and CN2020-17)
Family Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2022 A2022-13 sch 1
pt 1.4
notified LR 10 August 2022
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 August 2022 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.4 commenced 17 August 2022 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.165
notified LR 6 November 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 4 pt 4.165 commenced 5 January 2026 (s 2 (8))
Endnotes
Amendment history 4
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4 Amendment history
Long title
long title sub A2018-25 s 5
Name of Act
s 1 sub A2002-30 amdt 3.615; A2018-25 s 6
Dictionary
s 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.3311
ins A2002-30 amdt 3.615
am A2008-26 amdt 2.125; A2019-33 s 14
Notes
s 3 am A1994-97 sch
defs reloc to dict A2002-30 amdt 3.617
om A2002-30 amdt 3.618
def child om A2002-30 amdt 3.616
def drug of dependence om A2002-30 amdt 3.616
def public place om A2002-30 amdt 3.616
pres s 3 ins A2002-30 amdt 3.615
Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc
s 3A ins A2004-10 s 22
am A2004-30 s 7; A2018-25 s 7
Objects
s 4 am A2018-25 s 8, s 9
Registration
pt 2 hdg sub A2002-35 s 4
Interpretation
div 2.1 hdg ins A2002-35 s 4
Definitions for pt 2
s 4A renum as s 5
Meaning of disqualifying offence
s 4B renum as s 6
Meaning of registration notice
s 4C renum as s 7
Meaning of annual notice
s 4D renum as s 8
Definitions for pt 2
s 5 orig s 5 renum as s 9
(prev s 4A) ins A2002-35 s 4
def annual notice ins A2002-35 s 4
om A2018-25 s 10
def commercial brothel ins A2002-35 s 4
Endnotes
4 Amendment history
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def commercial escort agency ins A2002-35 s 4
def commercial operator ins A2002-35 s 4
om A2018-25 s 10
def disqualifying offence ins A2002-35 s 4
def interested person ins A2002-35 s 4
def police report ins A2002-35 s 4
am A2011-49 amdt 1.15; A2017-4 amdt 3.104;
A2025-29 amdt 4.166
def registration notice ins A2002-35 s 4
om A2018-25 s 10
def required police report ins A2002-35 s 4
def sole operator ins A2002-35 s 4
om A2018-25 s 10
def sole operator brothel ins A2002-35 s 4
am A2018-25 s 11
def sole operator escort agency ins A2002-35 s 4
am A2018-25 s 11
def the operator ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
Meaning of disqualifying offence
s 6 orig s 6 renum as s 10
(prev s 4B) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2002-51 amdts 1.29-1.31; A2003-8 amdt 1.16; A2004-56
amdt 1.50; A2005-53 amdt 1.124
Register
s 6A renum as s 11
Registration notice etc to be given to registrar
s 6B renum as s 12
Meaning of registration notice
s 7 orig s 7 renum as s 13
(prev s 4C) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
om A2018-25 s 12
Other notices to be given by operators and former operators
s 7A renum as s 14
Interested person—disqualifying offence
s 7B renum as s 15
Police report to be given before person becomes interested person
s 7C renum as s 16
Endnotes
Amendment history 4
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Meaning of annual notice
s 8 orig s 8 renum as s 17
(prev s 4D) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
om A2018-25 s 12
Register and notices
div 2.2 hdg ins A2002-35 s 4
sub A2011-16 amdt 1.23
Registrar of Brothels and Escort Agencies
s 9 orig s 9 renum as s 18
(prev s 5) sub A1994-97 sch pt 1; A2002-30 amdt 3.619;
A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2011-22 amdt 1.358
om A2011-16 amdt 1.24
Functions of registrar
s 10 orig s 10 renum as s 19
(prev s 6) am A1997-9 s 4; A2002-30 amdt 3.620; ss renum
R3 LA
sub A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
om A2011-16 amdt 1.24
Register
s 11 orig s 11 renum as s 20
(prev s 6A) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2011-16 amdt 1.28; A2018-25 ss 13-15
Registration notice etc to be given to commissioner—commercial operators
s 12 hdg am A2011-16 amdt 1.28
s 12 orig s 12 renum as s 21
(prev s 6B) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2011-16 amdt 1.28
sub A2018-25 s 16
am A2025-29 amdt 4.166
Annual notice to be given to commissioner—commercial operators
s 13 orig s 13 renum as s 22
(prev s 7) am A1994-97 sch pt 1; A1994-26 sch; A1997-9 s 5;
A2001-44 amdt 1.3312; R2 LA (see A2001-44 amdt 1.3313)
sub A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2011-16 amdt 1.28
sub A2018-25 s 16
am A2025-29 amdt 4.166
Endnotes
4 Amendment history
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Other notices to be given to commissioner—commercial operators and
former commercial operators
s 14 orig s 14 renum as s 23
(prev s 7A) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2011-16 amdt 1.28
sub A2018-25 s 16
Interested people—offences
div 2.3 hdg ins A2002-35 s 4
Interested people—disqualifying offences
s 15 orig s 15 renum as s 24
(prev s 7B) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
Police report to be given before person becomes interested person
s 16 orig s 16 renum as s 25
(prev s 7C) ins A2002-35 s 4
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2011-16 amdt 1.28; A2018-25 s 17
Duress
s 17 orig s 17 renum as s 26
(prev s 8) am A2002-35 amdt 1.1
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2008-26 amdt 2.126, amdt 2.127; A2017-4 amdt 3.105
Brothels—other than in prescribed location
s 18 orig s 18 renum as s 27
(prev s 9) am A1998-54 sch
sub A2002-35 s 5
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2018-25 s 18
Soliciting
s 19 orig s 19 om A2002-35 s 12
(prev s 10) am A1998-54 sch
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2017-4 amdt 3.105; A2018-25 s 19
Causing child to provide commercial sexual services etc
s 20 orig s 20 renum as s 28
(prev s 11) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
sub A2004-30 s 8
am A2018-25 s 20
Endnotes
Amendment history 4
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Proceeds of commercial sexual services by child
s 21 hdg sub A2018-25 s 21
s 21 orig s 21 renum as s 29
(prev s 12) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2017-4 amdt 3.105; A2018-25 s 22
Approved forms
s 21A renum as s 30
False or misleading information
s 21B renum as s 31
Age of child—burden of proof
s 22 orig s 22 renum as s 32
(prev s 13) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
Child on premises
s 23 (prev s 14) am A1998-54 sch; A2002-35 s 6
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2017-4 amdt 3.105
Infected persons
s 24 (prev s 15) am A1998-54 sch; A2002-35 s 7
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2010-30 amdt 1.50; A2017-4 amdt 3.105
om A2018-25 s 23
Providing or receiving commercial sexual services if infected
s 25 hdg sub A2010-30 amdt 1.51
s 25 (prev s 16) am A1998-54 sch
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2010-30 amdt 1.52; A2017-4 amdt 3.105
om A2018-25 s 23
Medical tests and examinations
s 26 (prev s 17) am A1994-26 sch; A1998-54 sch; A2002-30
amdt 3.621, amdt 3.622; A2002-35 s 8, s 9
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
sub A2004-10 s 23
am A2010-30 amdt 1.52; A2018-25 s 24, s 25
Commercial operator must provide health and safety equipment
s 26A ins A2018-25 s 27
Use of prophylactics
s 27 (prev s 18) am A1994-26 sch; A1998-54 sch; A2002-35 s 10,
s 11
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2017-4 amdt 3.105; A2018-25 s 28
Entry by police
s 28 (prev s 20) renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
Endnotes
4 Amendment history
page 40 Sex Work Act 1992
Effective: 05/01/26
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Determination of fees
s 29 (prev s 21) sub A2001-44 amdt 1.3314
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2017-4 amdt 3.106; A2025-29 amdt 4.166
Approved forms
s 30 (prev s 21A) ins A2002-35 s 13
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2011-16 amdt 1.28; A2017-4 amdt 3.106; A2025-29 amdt
4.166
False or misleading information
s 31 (prev s 21B) ins A2002-35 s 13
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
om A2004-15 amdt 2.149
Regulation-making power
s 32 (prev s 22) am A1998-54 sch
sub A2001-44 amdt 1.3315
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
am A2010-30 amdt 1.53; A2018-25 s 29;
A2025-29 amdt 4.166
Transitional—registration notices etc for existing commercial brothels and
commercial escort agencies
s 33 (prev s 23) ins A2002-35 s 14
renum A2002-35 amdt 1.3
exp 16 June 2003 (s 33 (3), (4))
Sex Work Regulation 2018—sch 4
s 34 ins A2018-25 s 30
exp 9 August 2018 (s 34 (5))
Disqualifying offences—Crimes Act 1900
sch 1 ins A2002-35 s 15
am A2008-44 amdt 1.93; A2011-7 s 13; items renum R19 LA;
A2013-12 s 43, s 44; items renum R23 LA; A2015-35
amdt 1.22; A2020-31 amdt 1.2; items renum R29 LA;
A2022-13 amdt 1.4
Disqualifying offences—this Act
sch 2 ins A2002-35 s 15
am A2004-10 s 24; A2010-30 amdt 1.54; A2018-25 ss 31-34;
items renum R26 LA
Disqualifying offences—foreign countries
sch 3 ins A2002-35 s 15
ss renum R11 LA
am A2015-35 amdt 1.23; A2018-25 s 35
Endnotes
Amendment history 4
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Sex Work Regulation 2018
sch 4 ins A2018-25 s 36
exp 9 August 2018 (s 34 (5))
Dictionary
dict ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623
am A2009-49 amdt 3.134; A2011-22 amdt 1.359; A2011-16
amdt 1.25; A2011-49 amdt 1.16; A2017-4
amdts 3.107-3.109; A2018-25 s 37
def annual notice ins A2002-35 s 16
om A2018-25 s 38
def authorised nurse practitioner ins A2004-10 s 25
om A2018-25 s 38
def brothel reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
am A2018-25 s 39
def commercial brothel ins A2002-35 s 16
def commercial escort agency ins A2002-35 s 16
def commercial operator ins A2002-35 s 16
om A2018-25 s 40
def commercial sexual services reloc from s 3 A2002-30
amdt 3.617
sub A2004-30 s 9
am A2018-25 s 41
def commissioner ins A2011-16 amdt 1.26
def disqualifying offence ins A2002-35 s 16
def drug of dependence ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623
om A2008-26 amdt 2.128
def employed ins A2002-35 s 17
am A2018-25 s 42
def employing ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623
om A2002-35 s 17
def escort agency reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
am A2018-25 s 43
def interested person ins A2002-35 s 18
def medical examination reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
om A2004-10 s 26
def nurse practitioner position ins A2004-10 s 27
sub A2006-27 amdt 2.8
om A2018-25 s 44
def operator reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
sub A2002-35 s 19
def police report ins A2002-35 s 20
def premises reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
def premises used by a single prostitute reloc from s 3
A2002-30 amdt 3.617
am A2002-35 amdt 1.2
om A2018-25 s 45
Endnotes
4 Amendment history
page 42 Sex Work Act 1992
Effective: 05/01/26
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def premises used by a single sex worker ins A2018-25
s 46
def prophylactic reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
am A2010-30 amdt 1.55
def prostitute reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
om A2018-25 s 47
def prostitution reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
om A2018-25 s 47
def public place ins A2002-30 amdt 3.623
om A2018-25 s 47
def registrar ins A1994-97 sch pt 1
reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
sub A2002-35 s 21
om A2011-16 amdt 1.27
def registration notice ins A2002-35 s 22
om A2018-25 s 47
def required police report ins A2002-35 s 22
def scope of practice ins A2004-10 s 27
sub A2006-27 amdt 2.9
om A2018-25 s 47
def sexually transmitted disease am A1997-70 sch 3
reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
sub A2002-35 s 23; A2006-46 amdt 2.36
om A2010-30 amdt 1.56
def sexually transmissible infection ins A2010-30 amdt 1.56
def sexual services reloc from s 3 A2002-30 amdt 3.617
def sex work ins A2018-25 s 48
def sole operator ins A2002-35 s 24
om A2018-25 s 49
def sole operator brothel ins A2002-35 s 24
def sole operator escort agency ins A2002-35 s 24
def the operator ins A2002-35 s 24
Endnotes
Earlier republications 5
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Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
5 Earlier republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to
the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in
electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised
republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are
marked with an asterisk () in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an
authorised republication are identical.
Republication No Amendments to Republication date
1 A1994-97 28 February 1995
2 A2001-44 12 September 2001
3 A2002-30 17 September 2002
4 A2002-35 16 December 2002
5 A2002-51 1 January 2003
6 A2003-8 17 June 2003
7 A2003-8 15 August 2003
8 A2004-15 9 April 2004
9 (RI) †† A2004-15 5 July 2013
9 (RI No 2) †† A2004-15 † 5 July 2013
10 (RI) †† A2004-30 5 July 2013
11 (RI) †† A2004-56 5 July 2013
12 (RI) †† A2005-53 5 July 2013
13 (RI) †† A2006-46 5 July 2013
14 (RI) †† A2006-46 5 July 2013
15 (RI) †† A2008-44 5 July 2013
16 (RI) †† A2008-44 5 July 2013
17 (RI) †† A2009-49 5 July 2013
18 (RI) †† A2010-30 5 July 2013
19 (RI) †† A2011-7 5 July 2013
20 (RI) †† A2011-22 5 July 2013
21 (RI) †† A2011-22 5 July 2013