I want to:
- Apply for approved manager certificate
- Apply to renew approved manager certificate
- Make changes to approved manager certificate
- Complete annual return
All managers of brothels in Queensland must be certified
Under the Prostitution Act 1999 (the Act), brothels in Queensland must be personally supervised by the licensee or an approved manager whenever it is open for business.
If you want to work as a brothel manager, you must apply to the Authority for an approved manager’s certificate.
How do approved manager certificates work?
The Authority issues approved manager certificates to applicants who are eligible to be an approved manager under the law. If you are granted a certificate, you must:
- have already paid the fee
- comply with the Prostitution Act, Prostitution Regulation and conditions of the certificate
- apply to renew the certificate every three years if you want to continue to be an approved manager.
An approved manager certificate is issued only to the person who applies for it, just like a driver licence. It cannot be used by another person or transferred to another person.
How to apply for an approved manager certificate in Queensland
What you need to know before you apply
Not everyone can apply for or be granted an approved manager certificate in Queensland.
The Authority only issues certificates to applicants who are found to be eligible and suitable under the strict laws of the Prostitution Act 1999 (the Act).
Am I eligible to apply?
You are not eligible to apply for a certificate if you:
- are under 18 years old
- are a company
- are bankrupt
- have a licence or permit under the Liquor Act 1992
- have been convicted of a disqualifying offence under the Act
- had a brothel licence or manager’s certificate that was cancelled in the last 3 years
- have already been told by the Authority that you are not eligible to apply for a certificate.
If I am eligible to apply, will I get a certificate?
If you are eligible to apply, it does not mean your application will be approved.
The Authority will assess your application thoroughly to make sure you are a suitable person under the law before it makes a decision.
If you are not issued an approved manager’s certificate by the Authority you can ask for a review of the decision in the Supreme Court. We recommend you contact a legal representative about your options.
Apply for an approved manager certificate in Queensland
Step 1 – application form and fee
- Download and complete the application form
- Send the form to us and pay the fee
Step 2 - keep your application up-to-date
After you apply, you must let us know if there are any changes to the information that you gave us in the application form.
Under the law, you must give us the new information in writing within 10 days of the change happening.
If you do not tell us about a change that may affect your application, you will be breaking the law.
Step 3 – we will assess your application
The Authority and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) will assess your application for an approved manager certificate against the rules set out in the Act. It is a detailed process and can take several months.
Suitability
We investigate your:
- character, reputation, honesty and integrity
- criminal history, including your family members and any associates
- association with any businesses or organisations.
To make these checks, we may seek advice and information about your application from any person or organisation we need to.
Identity
You must agree to confirm and record your identity by allowing us or the QPS to take your fingerprints as identifying particulars.
You must also provide a colour passport-size photo of yourself.
We will not consider your application if you do not give us the identifying particulars that we or the QPS ask you for.
Step 4 – we give you our decision
After we have finished reviewing your application, we may either:
- grant you a certificate; or
- refuse to grant the certificate.
If we grant you a certificate, you may work as an approved manager at more than one brothel. Each brothel premises you work at must be listed on your certificate.
If we reject your application, we will refund part of your fee.
Withdrawing an application
You may withdraw an application at any time before the Authority decides the application.
If you withdraw your application, we will refund part of your fee.
How to renew an approved manager certificate
What you need to know before you renew
Approved manager certificates issued by the Authority are valid for 3 years unless surrendered, suspended or cancelled.
If you want to renew your certificate, you must submit an approved manager certificate renewal to the Authority before your current certificate expires and pay the fee at least 1 month prior to expiry date.
If you do not renew your certificate before it expires, you cannot continue to work as a manager in a brothel.
Apply to renew an approved manager certificate in Queensland
Step 1 – application form and fee
- Download and complete the approved manager certificate renewal form
- Send the form to us and pay the renewal fee
Step 2 – we assess your application
We will assess your application based on your record of compliance with:
- the Prostitution Act and Prostitution Regulation
- the conditions of your existing certificate.
Step 3 – we give you our decision
After we have reviewed your application, we may either:
- renew your certificate; or
- refuse to renew the certificate.
If we reject your application, we will refund part of your fee.
Making changes to an approved manager certificate
You must apply to the Authority to vary your approved manager certificate if any of the information in your current certificate changes, such as:
- your legal name
- if you want to work at another brothel.
To vary an approved manager certificate you must:
- download and complete the approved manager variation form
- send the form to us and pay the variation fee.
- supply a letter of intent to employ from the licensee of the brothel where you plan to work.
Approved manager certificate compliance
The Authority monitors all approved managers of licensed brothels to make sure they:
- comply with the Prostitution Act 1999 and Prostitution Regulation
- meet the conditions of their certificate.
We check compliance by:
- conducting audits and inspections of licensed brothels
- reviewing your annual return.
Audits and inspections
Authority compliance officers visit all licensed brothels to conduct:
- pre-opening inspections for new licensed brothels
- audits of licensed brothels
- inspections of brothel operations, which may be unannounced.
During audits and inspections, compliance officers review the activities of approved managers.
You can talk to compliance officers about the conditions of your certificate and your responsibilities under the law.
Annual returns
Under the law, all approved managers must update their personal, legal and business details in an annual return.
They must also pay an annual fee.
How to complete an annual return
- Download and complete the approved manager certificate annual return form .
- Send the form to us and pay the annual return fee.