Health and safety information for sex work venues and brothels – English - HE1505

Prostitution Reform Act 2003

Under the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, there are specific health and safety requirements for sex work venues and brothels. Sex work venues and brothels must adopt and promote safer sex practices.

• Every operator must take all reasonable steps to ensure that no commercial sexual services are provided by a sex worker unless a condom or other appropriate barrier is used. This includes vaginal, anal or oral penetration or another activity with a similar or greater risk of acquiring or transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Every operator must take all reasonable steps to give health information (whether oral or written) to sex workers and clients. Health information means information on safer sex practices, and information about the prevention of STIs and where to find treatment for STIs.
• Every person who operates a brothel must display health information prominently in that brothel.
• The operator must not state or imply that a medical examination of a sex worker means the worker is not infected or likely to be infected with an STI.

An operator can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 for not complying with these health and safety requirements.

Under the Act, sex workers and clients also have obligations to adopt safer sex practices.

Further Information

If you would like more information on sexual health issues, contact:

• Sexual Health Services: Find a sexual health clinic Sexual health clinics
• Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa | Sexual health advice & clinics in NZ
• Just The Facts
• Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: Sexual health

To find out more about the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, see:

• Ministry of Health NZ
• NZPC: Aotearoa New Zealand Sex Workers’ Collective: nzpc.org.nz
• Keeping healthy and safe in the New Zealand sex industry | WorkSafe
• Prostitution Reform Act 2003 | New Zealand Legislation