Application Processing

The processing of brothel licences and managers’ certificates can be a lengthy process and is determined by the requisites of the Prostitution Act. You can expect your application to take some time to process, particularly if you have applied for a brothel licence (investigations of applications may take several months or more to process, depending on the complexity of the application). Delay in processing applications may be due to the following reasons:

• All applications must be forwarded to the Prostitution Enforcement Taskforce (PET) at the Queensland Police Service for their own, separate inquiries. The PLA has no control over the inquiries undertaken by PET, nor over the length of time it takes to make those inquiries.
• Inquiries made with interstate agencies are necessary. Again, the PLA has no control over the length of time it takes agencies to respond to PLA inquiries.
• You may have used an old application form, or your application form may be incomplete. If your application form is incomplete you will receive a ‘Notice to Seek Further Information from an Applicant’. Responding quickly to a request for further information will greatly assist the processing of your application.
• Lack of development approval for a brothel premises. The PLA prioritises those applications that have received development approval from a local authority. A brothel licence or manager’s certificate will not be granted by the PLA if there is no approved brothel premises.
• Your personal circumstances and details may change during the life of the application or information may need to be updated. Any change to information in your application will need to be considered in light of any further relevant inquiries.
• If you have applied for a manager’s certificate your application will not be considered until the brothel where you intend to work has been properly licensed.
• Incorrect fee/s paid.

If you have made an application for a brothel licence or a manager’s certificate, we will:

• write and acknowledge your application and payment of fees as soon as we have accepted the application
• aim to complete proceedings within a reasonable time, bearing in mind the considerations outlined above
• keep you informed of our progress, on request, and report the outcome of your application as soon as it has been considered by the PLA
• keep your information confidential, unless disclosure is authorised by you or by the law.

Any decision by the PLA about your application will be made in the absence of bias, and all applicants will be afforded natural justice.*

* Natural justice means that any administrative decision we make that may adversely impact on you will be made only after you have been made aware of our concern and you have had the opportunity to present your claims in relation to the concern.