Prostitution or sex work occurs when a person engages in a sexual act with another person pursuant to a commercial arrangement. It is not currently illegal to sell or buy sex in Queensland. Prostitution is legal in Queensland if provided in licensed brothels or by means of sole sex workers. Section e of the Criminal Code defines prostitution as providing to every other man or woman, under a commercial arrangement, any of the subsequent:. The age of consent for prostitution is 18 years old, which is the same as the age of consent for sex or marriage.
This is the age of consent for prostitution in Queensland that all sexually active people must adhere to. Sex work itself is not unlawful in Queensland. It is not illegal to conduct sex work in a licensed brothel, which may have up to eight sex workers on the premises at once, as the law says. It is also legal to conduct private sex work as a sole operator. Such people may work from their home or provide outcalls. However, it is illegal for a private sex worker to work along with another sex worker.
A private sex worker may hire some other worker as a personal bodyguard or driver, or both. Section 73 of the Prostitution Act makes it illegal to publicly solicit for prostitution. This includes offering sex work or accepting an offer in a public place, within sight and hearing from other people around you. It also comes with loitering if one stands near enough so as not be invisible when trying their luck at earning some quick cash through selling sexual favours. This carries a maximum penalty of a fine of 15 penalty units for a first offence, 25 penalty units for a second offence or 30 penalty units for a third or subsequent.
The Prostitution Act Section 77 makes it an offence to coercion or use of duress for the purpose causing someone else into providing sex work. Under Section 77A of the Prostitution Act, it is an offence to perform sex work without a prophylactic. Section FA of the Criminal Code makes it illegal to pay someone who is younger than 18 for sexual activity, and this can result in prison time.
If the person involved is under 16, the maximum penalty of imprisonment could be 14 years. Prostitution is a crime that carries heavy consequences, even in the slightest degree.
