The Sex Work Regulations 2016 have been amended to remove requirements that duplicate the safety requirements in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act).
The following changes have been made:
- Regulation 7 has been amended to remove the previous 7(1) and (2), relating to violent situations. Other requirements under Regulation 7 remain the same
- Regulation 8, relating to additional safety requirements for brothels, has been revoked
- Regulation 9, relating to additional safety requirements for escort agencies, has been revoked.
Licensees must still consider the matters covered by these regulations as part of their compliance with the OHS Act, which applies to all Victorian businesses. WorkSafe Victoria monitors workplace safety in the licensed sex work industry and can impose substantial fines under the OHS Act where safety requirements are not being met.
The Sex Work Regulations 2016 support the operation of the Sex Work Act 1994, prescribing particulars relating to:
- a list of sexually transmissible infections
- health and safety requirements
- safety matters relevant to the suitability of licence applicants
- advertising controls
- registration details for exempt small owner-operators
- sexual slavery signage
- the form of Registrar's certificates
- certain infringement offences.
View the amended Sex Work Regulations 2016 on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website.
For more information, visit our Sex work service providers section.