Advertising Guidelines for Brothels and Social Escort Services
There are rules for how prostitution can be advertised in Queensland.
Advertising published in Queensland must meet Queensland guidelines, even if the advertisement is placed from outside Queensland or published on a website located outside Queensland.
The guidelines apply to:
- Licensed brothels
- Sole operator sex workers
- All other prostitution service providers
- Publishers.
How can the Authority help
Use our advertising checklists to help create a compliant ad.
The Authority can provide general advice to people placing ads or publishers on applying the guidelines.
The Authority doesn’t check ads. If you are placing an ad, it is up to you to check that the ad meets the guidelines.
Guidelines for advertising prostitution
The Guidelines about the Approved Form for Advertisements for Prostitution outline the do’s and don’ts of prostitution ads in Queensland. It is an offence to publish an ad that isn’t in the approved form defined in the guideline.
Use our advertising checklists to help create a compliant ad.
Do’s and don’ts of advertising prostitution in Queensland
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| Ensure your advertisement complies with the guidelines | Advertise on TV, radio, or motor vehicles like buses |
| Apply the guidelines to websites, social media, print and merchandise including posters, cups, and stubby holders | Advertise using stickers, skywriting or billboards |
| Identify the location of the advertisement – an adult entertainment website has a different expected audience than a community newspaper | Imply illegal services |
Guidelines for Advertising Social Escort Services
Do’s and Don’ts of Advertising Social Escort Services in Queensland
Read the Guidelines for social escort services advertising. It is an offence to publish an ad that isn’t in the approved form defined in the guideline.
Use our advertising checklists to help create a compliant ad.
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| Ensure your advertisement complies with the guidelines outlined under s.139A of the Act | Publish without checking the guidelines |
| Apply the guidelines to websites, social media, print and merchandise including posters, cups, and stubby holders | Use stickers or nudity |
| Use the terms ‘non sexual’ or ‘sexual services are not provided’ | Imply illegal services |
Compliance with Advertising Guidelines
The Authority manages ad compliance for licensed prostitution in Queensland.
If an advertisement does not meet the guidelines, the Authority may issue a penalty infringement notice or refer the matter to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) for enforcement.
The QPS is responsible for investigating alleged unlawful prostitution, including advertisements for prostitution that do not meet the guidelines.