Applying for a Brothel Licence

In considering a brothel licence application, the PLA must assess an applicant for:

• eligibility; and
• suitability.

Once an application has been lodged with the PLA, all information supplied by the applicant must be kept up to date. Under the Act it is an offence if, within ten days after becoming aware of a change in the information, an applicant has not given the particulars of the change to the PLA by written notice. An applicant may withdraw an application at any time before the brothel licence has been issued.

Eligibility

A person is ineligible to apply for a brothel licence if the person:

• is a corporation or a minor
• is an insolvent under administration
• holds a licence or permit under the Liquor Act 1992
• has been convicted of a disqualifying offence^[1]
• has had a licence or other authority under the Prostitution Act or a corresponding law to provide prostitution at a brothel cancelled in the last three years
• has had a certificate or other authority under the Prostitution Act or a corresponding law to manage a brothel cancelled in the last three years
• is subject to an order of the PLA declaring the person to be ineligible to apply for a licence.

Suitability

In considering the suitability of an individual to hold a brothel licence the PLA must consider:

• the applicant’s reputation, having regard to character, honesty and integrity
• whether the applicant has been convicted of an offence against the Prostitution Act or a corresponding law
• whether the applicant has been convicted of an indictable offence
• whether the applicant has been convicted of an offence, the circumstances of which constitute the running of a brothel
• whether the applicant has been charged with any offence of a sexual nature that involves violence, intimidation, threats or children
• whether the applicant has, or is or will be able to obtain financial resources that are adequate to ensure the financial viability of the brothel
• whether the applicant will have in place arrangements to ensure the safety of persons directly involved in providing prostitution and that otherwise comply with the requirements of the Prostitution Act
• whether the business structure for the operation of the brothel is sufficiently transparent to enable all associates of the applicant, whether individuals or bodies corporate, to be readily identified
• whether the applicant is an associate of a person who has been convicted of a disqualifying offence or an indictable offence
• whether the applicant is an associate of a body corporate, an executive officer of which has been convicted of a disqualifying offence or an indictable offence
• whether the applicant is an associate of a person who holds a licence or a permit under the Liquor Act.

The PLA must not decide that an applicant for a licence is not a suitable person to operate a licensed brothel only because the applicant has worked as a prostitute.

Fees

Brothel licence fees ( 11 KB) must be paid annually, and generally all fees are increased annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Brothel licence application forms

Brothel licence application forms are available from the Office of the PLA. Phone: (07) 3858 9500.

^[1] Disqualifying offences are: official corruption, unlawful homicide, rape, abduction, kidnapping, demanding property, benefit or performance of services with threats, offences against morality, offences of prostitution that relate to a child or intellectually impaired person, and various offences under the Migration Act 1985 (C’wlth).