The ACT Government is considering changes to the laws about sex work in the ACT.

These changes aim to strengthen sex worker rights and to create a fairer system with less discrimination.

Currently the Sex Work Act 1992 (ACT) singles out sex work by creating special regulations and criminal laws that only apply to sex workers. These laws can reinforce discrimination and stigma towards sex work.

Changing the laws will help to:

• support workers to reduce isolation and improve personal safety in their work practices
• improve access to sexual health services and support higher rates of voluntary testing for sexually transmissible infections and blood borne viruses
• reduce stigma and discrimination by treating sex work like any other job
• remove unfair laws and discriminatory regulations for sex workers.

Changes to the law could involve:

• removing the need for commercial brothels or escort agencies to register with Access Canberra
• having sex work businesses fall under the same laws as other businesses by removing sex work industry specific regulations and offences
• allowing independent sex workers to work in small groups without breaking the law (instead of working alone)
• removing the restriction for commercial brothels to only operate out of Fyshwick and Mitchell (though they would need to follow planning and zoning rules in the ACT).

Under these proposed changes sex work would still be covered by general laws, including:

• employment laws
• work health and safety laws
• planning and public health laws
• advertising codes of conduct.

In the ACT, sex work specific offences from the Sex Work Act 1992 are rarely used. When crimes occur, police usually rely on the general criminal laws.

We know you may have different ideas about the proposed changes, and we want to hear them. You can share your feedback by making a written submission using the link below. Feedback closes on 1 April 2026.

We have prepared a detailed consultation paper where you can read more about our options for reforming the regulation of sex work in the ACT. The consultation paper also talks about changes made in other states and territories.

We recommend you read the consultation paper or consultation paper summary found in the Document Library before you make a written submission.

Your feedback will help shape future decisions about sex work policy and legislation. It ensures those decisions are guided by people’s real experiences.

The Sex Work Act requires commercial brothels and escort agencies to register with Access Canberra. Commercial brothels are only allowed to operate in the suburbs of Fyshwick and Mitchell. There are criminal offences for not complying with the registration requirements.

Sex workers who work independently (i.e. not with a brothel or escort agency) do not have to register, as long as they work alone. Independent sex workers can run their businesses from home and can choose where they work.

The current Sex Work Act contains offences which are specific to sex workers, including offences for not using condoms or offences for soliciting in a public place. Other general laws also apply to sex workers including:

• employment laws
• work health and safety laws
• general criminal laws.

What the proposed changes would mean

The proposed changes would not mean that sex work is unregulated. Sex work will still be regulated under general laws, without the need for special laws or rules specifically for sex work.

Most laws that are already in place will not be changed by the proposals. For example:

• planning controls will still apply, so sex work businesses cannot operate anywhere they choose
• public order laws will continue to apply, so offensive behaviour or indecent exposure will remain illegal
• public health laws for sexually transmitted diseases and blood borne viruses will continue to apply
• general advertising laws and standards will remain in place.

Some laws may need to have small changes made. For example, because they refer to the locations of sex work businesses in Fyshwick and Mitchell.

Other laws might be changed because the government may move some of the existing serious crimes against vulnerable people from the Sex Work Act to our general criminal laws. That is because we still want to make sure vulnerable people are protected.

Sex work regulations in other states and territories

Queensland, Victoria, and Northern Territory have all recently introduced changes to reduce regulations around sex work (often referred to as “decriminalising sex work”). Sex work in New South Wales has been decriminalised for around 30 years.

Even with differences between state and territories, evidence shows removing industry-specific regulations:

• improves people’s safety
• better protects people’s rights
• reduces harm.

Decriminalising sex work in other jurisdictions has not negatively impacted public health or community amenities.

Compared to other jurisdictions, the ACT is not keeping pace with contemporary approaches to sex work.