Key messages
- The Victorian government is decriminalising sex work.
- Sex workers will have the same protections and recognition as any other worker in the state.
- The Department of Health is working to reduce stigma and discrimination and support sex worker health and wellbeing.
The Victorian government is decriminalising sex work to achieve better public health and human rights outcomes.
This means that sex work will be treated like all other work in Victoria. Offences and criminal penalties for adults participating in sex work will be removed in most circumstances.
Sex workers will have the same protections and recognition as any other worker in the state.
The Victorian Department of Health plays an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of Victorian sex workers. The decriminalisation of sex work provides an opportunity to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by sex workers and improve access to high-quality health services.
The department has funded several evidence-based initiatives to support sex worker health and wellbeing, including:
- sex worker peer support, outreach, education and counselling
- capacity building for primary care and other health practitioners
- guidance on best practice methods for infection prevention and control
- evaluation and monitoring of the health impacts of the reforms.
Reviewed 14 March 2023
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More information
Contact us
Sex Work Reform Team Prevention and Population Health