Sex workers are now free to operate on Victoria’s streets after new laws, which are designed to make those in the industry safer, came into effect.

From Tuesday, street-based sex work is now legal in Victoria except in limited circumstances and locations. Legislation makes it an offence for sex work to be carried out near schools, care services and places of worship between 6am and 7pm and on holy days.

The state government said workers would feel more confident to report crime and access support as a result of the change.

The consumer affairs minister, Melissa Horne, said the shift was “an important milestone for sex work decriminalisation in Victoria”.

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