Escorts and Sexual Services in Sydney

Escorts and Prostitution in Sydney

Prostitution is a practice that has been on for many centuries and is viewed differently by laws of different states. And while the laws governing this subject are homogeneous, each country has unique responses with regard to jurisdiction. Larger part of the Eastern Australia had prostitution laws liberalized with some new amendments being put into place. There have been different models adopted by Western Australia, Southern Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Australia but the general laws have not been changed for decades.

Are Escorts and Prostitution Legal In Sydney Australia?

Unlike other countries and states where prostitution is prohibited or highly restricted, sex work in legal in Sydney and New South Wales. But the practice is subject to a number of state laws and regulations. Just like any other business, sex services premises in Sydney are all regulated by the local councils. As long as street sex work is not done near a dwelling like school, hospital or church, Sydney laws are okay with it.

The History of Escorts in Sydney

Sex work operation in Australia has varied over the years depending on different periods of time. Ideally, prostitution is classified into three categories of time including: convict period, late colonial period and federal period. It’s important to note that pre-colonial prostitution is not included in the history of sex work in Australia. Here is how the practice was viewed in these three periods of history:

Convict Period (1788-1840)

Prostitution in Australia began immediately after the arrival of The First Fleet (11 ships that left England for Australia in early 1787). Since majority of the women transported along previously practiced prostitution either for economic reasons or due to imbalance of the sexes, the practice was later normalized. Under this period, women could work as prostitutes from their homes.

Colonial Period (1840-1901)

Prior to Australia’s 6-self governing states coming together to form the commonwealth Australia, the state had adopted a Contagious Diseases Acts from the UK. This law was put in place between 1868 and 1879 in order to control spreading of venereal diseases especially in the military. In this colonial period, all women suspected of prostitution were inspected and when found infected, they could be incarcerated.

Federal Period (1901-1970)

After the formation of federal Australia in 1901, it was left upon the state to regulate criminal law. And since all the criminal laws relating to prostitution were enacted in 1910, they did not make the practice illegal. Prostitution laws under this period in Australia were adapted from 1860 to 1885 English Laws. They majorly touched on age restrictions, soliciting, leasing accommodation and brothel keeping.

Post Federal Period

From the 1970s going onwards, there has been significant changes in approaches and laws regarding prostitution in Australia. With several recommendations on the laws, prostitution has been declared not a criminal offence in Sydney and NSW with only a few legislations to regulate the practice.

Services That Sex Work Offers

Brothel Services

Sydney has many licensed sexual premises where clients can go and get services. However, these premises are required to operate under certain guidelines and regulations from the local council. Ideally, a brothel can include any of the following venues:

• Single sex worker premises-whether room in a building or home
• Full-service brothels with multiple workers
• Massage parlours that offer oral sex or hand relief
• Gentleman’s club

Escort Services

Escort agencies in Australia offer a range of services from dating, courtesy accompaniment, sex as well as massages. The escort premises operate under state prostitution laws because they largely offer sex services.

Strip Clubs

Topless waitresses clubs and strip clubs are sexual service providers that offer oral sex or full service. These premises are regulated under the prostitution and sex work laws of the state. Majority of strip clubs in Sydney operate during night but there are others that are open during the day.

Regulations

The following are the laws and regulation pertaining prostitution in Sydney:

Legal Age for Sex Worker

Sydney and NSW prostitution laws prohibit one from employing a person as a sex worker that’s under the age of 18 years. Going against the law can amount to a serious crime to:

• Forcing a child to participate in sexual activities
• Benefit from child prostitution
• Allowing the premises to be used by children for prostitution

Legal Age for Client

For a client to participate in any sexual activity in a brothel or any other sex premises, he or she must be at least 16 years. However, a person under the age of 18 is not allowed to enter a brothel or sex premises. And with that, sex workers are advised to only accept clients who are 18 years and above.

Other Laws Regarding Sex Work

• Running a brothel without permission from local council is an offence that might attract penalties and closure of the premises
• Soliciting or engaging in sexual acts in public can result to a criminal conviction
• Maximum penalty for engaging in unlawful soliciting is 3 months imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding $660
• Sex workers should seek to understand the laws governing the practice under the Brothels and Sex Services Premises Act.

How to Find Escorts

Sydney-based escorts can be found on their local agency premises or can be contacted through their online escort websites. Majority of escort agencies offer different sex and dating services and clients can select the escorts based on the areas they can be found, their background, physical attributes and type of service.

Difference between Escorts and Brothels

Brothels and escorts offer close to similar services that’s why they are regulated by the same laws. While brothels are designed to exclusively offer sex services, escorts provide dating, courtesy and massage services. Another significant difference is; while brothels allow sex to be practiced on the premises, majority of escorts offer their services outside the agency premises.