In the ACT it is legal to work as a private sex worker.
What's involved?
You must register before you start working. To do this, go to the Office of Fair Trading, Registrar of Brothels and Escort Agencies, 255 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick, 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday to get the registration forms.
You will need to produce 100 points of i.d. to register. The cost of registration is $228 for the initial registration, and then $116 renewal each year. If you register part-way through a year, the cost is reduced accordingly. Renewals are all due by 30th September.
Remember, legally there must be only one worker on the the registered premises working at any one time. This means you cannot legally do doubles as they require 2 workers. However, you are allowed to employ a receptionist or security person for yourself.
What happens to your information?
The current Director of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) recently gave SWOP some assurances about the privacy of private workers’ information once it put on the Register of Brothels and Escort Agencies:
- The only person in the OFT who has access to the information is the Director. It is password protected.
- Access to this information is restricted to those public servants who have a legitimate reason for seeking information about a registered person. Public servants may include centre link, the police, or the Australian Taxation Office.
Advertising
The most common way of advertising sexual services in Canberra is in the Adult Services Section of the Canberra Times. Booking the ad over the phone or online requires a credit card (CTs do not send accounts for adult services ads). If you haven’t got a credit card you can go in to the Canberra Times Office at 9 Pirie St, Fyshwick or place the ad at a newsagency (eg. Dickson Newsagency is an agent of the Canberra Times Classifieds).
Advertisements placed in the Adult Services Section must be worded in an “acceptable” fashion.
Taxation and insurance
A private worker is classified by the Australian Taxation Office as a Sole Proprietor and will need either an ABN (Australian Business Number) or TFN (Tax File Number). You need an ABN if you want to claim your expenses, but you can use your TFN to declare income if you are not concerned about claiming anything.
Working as a sex worker from home also raises public liability and insurance issues. If you want further information about your obligations in this respect SWOP ACT can put you in contact with someone in ACT Workcover who will be happy to talk to you about it.
Working privately - be smart
- Keep the bulk of your money in a safe place, but don't put the current fee there until the client has gone. Keep a small amount of money somewhere separate so if you are robbed, you can claim you have just started work. You can also use this money for change.
- Make sure the client hears you phone a security person stating the time etc., - even if the "security" is the SWOP office or the telephone time service.
- Use your common sense. If you think a client sounds creepy on the phone or when he turns up – get rid of him.
- Do not accept bookings involving more than one client.
- Do not tell clients that you're alone. If they ask - be suspicious.
- To reduce the number of 'no shows', try and get a contact number when they are making the booking (usually the ones who will not give you a number are the ones who are likely not to show up).
- Be as honest as possible with clients over the phone. That way they won’t turn up and then decide you’re not what they’re after.
See also
Disclaimer: This information is of a general nature and is meant as a guide only. SWOP accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, completeness or relevance for purpose of any material contained herein. SWOP recommends that workers exercise care when using the information and obtain professional advice appropriate to their circumstances.