Street-Based Sex Workers

Who They Are

Street-based sex workers are independent sex workers who meet clients in a public place. Street-based sex work remains illegal in some locations in Victoria for both worker and client, with police able to charge both parties with the crime of solicitation. Melbourne’s street working population is almost entirely female or transgender, with the clients being almost entirely male. In the past there was a population of male to male street workers; they have now entirely disappeared. The number of street-based sex workers overall has declined over the last 20 years, and they now make up around 1% of all sex workers. This is primarily due to the widespread use of smartphones, social media and the internet, which has led many workers to move into private sex work

How They Work

The worker waits on the street for clients who are driving by. When a client wishes to engage the services of a street worker, he will pull over in his car to discuss services and prices with the worker. The sex work itself takes place elsewhere, usually in the client’s car.

Street workers assist each other to be wary of any troublesome or violent clients in the area. Street workers also share information about where to resource themselves with food, showers, supplies such as condoms, lubes, sponges, sanitary products, as well as needle exchange facilities.

"I feel that street based sex work is less competitive than a brothel, and most importantly, I choose when I work. I generally only go onto the street to pick up new, potentially regular clients.”

 

Locations

Street-based sex workers work largely within distinct areas, where they may or may not have the safety and security of working alongside other street workers. Historically, St Kilda has been the hub of street-based sex work. Street workers also operate in Dandenong and Footscray.

Street Sex Work in Dandenong

A small street-based sex work scene has emerged on a single street in the outer south eastern Melbourne suburb of Dandenong. The workers are generally Caucasian women aged between 18 – 35. Their clients tend to be men in their thirties, who are generally of Caucasian, South Asian, Afghani or African backgrounds.  Prices for sexual services in Dandenong are around half that of St Kilda.²

Prices

In 2018 standard rates for services across the state ranged from $20 – $120, depending on the service. Payment is by cash only. Since they’re not working for brothels or escort agencies, street-based workers keep 100% of their earnings. Prices for services are set amongst street workers via word of mouth. Note that this type of sex work involves a fee per service, not per time spent with the client.

“I am an older woman and seem to attract nicer, more mature clients. Financially stable clients, they don't mind paying the correct price. They are clean and friendly and have often not used a sex worker before. They like to feel as though they are contributing to my lifestyle and would rather pay me than any management.”

 

Advantages

As well as keeping 100% of their earnings, street workers choose their own hours, decide for themselves whether or not to engage with a client, and which services they may/may not offer. This flexibility suits workers with children in their care, and those otherwise unable or unwilling to engage with the conventional workforce. Unlike private escorts, street workers do not carry the burdens of advertising, transportation or responding to numerous telephone calls, emails and texts. A major advantage of street work is that it involves a fee per service, not per time spent with the client.

"Street based sex work has worked for me, basically because I live in the district and have a little flat that I can take clients who I feel are safe and are prepared to pay a little extra for that. Most clients want the security a room offers, most are not prepared to pay to rent a room.”

 

Disadvantages

Street-based work remains illegal in some locations and at some times of the day in Victoria. Even if a street worker invites a client into their home to provide the service, they are still operating outside the law. They may provide services in unfamiliar environments such as the client’s car, and being not in control of the vehicle themselves increases risk. Due to the clandestine nature of the work, street workers have little to no time to ‘screen’ new clients in order to assess their personal safety and security. Street workers rely on information from each other, their own lived experiences and intuition to protect themselves.

Street-based sex workers are the most visible of the sex working population, therefore the most at risk of police prosecution.

Street workers may be reluctant to report crimes committed against them due to the fear that police may not believe them or take them seriously. 

“I would report a crime to the police. I would not feel comfortable telling them I was working.”

Red light district Melbourne
Brenda*, street-based sex worker (2019)

*Names changed for privacy reasons.

Sex Work Radio Show Interviews Street Based Sex Worker

In 2022 Australia’s only sex work radio show, Behind Closed Doors interviewed Tiffany, a migrant trans sex worker who does street based sex work in Melbourne. Hear Tiffany interviewed, telling her story with humour and power.

Podcast Episode: Tiffany – Transgender Street Based Sex Worker 

  1. Dr Ben Durant, Survival Stripped Bare: An Ethnography of Street Sex Workers in Dandenong, (2015) Australian Catholic University, p34
  2. Dr Ben Durant, Survival Stripped Bare: An Ethnography of Street Sex Workers in Dandenong, (2015) Australian Catholic University

© Sex Work Law Reform Victoria 2022

Last updated: 10 May 2022