One of the things that sets Australia apart from many other countries is the strength of its sex worker advocacy movement. Organisations like Scarlet Alliance, Respect Inc, and their state-based counterparts have been instrumental in driving decriminalisation, defending worker rights, and providing direct support to companions and other sex workers for decades. If you are working as a companion in Australia and you are not connected to your local peer organisation, you are missing out on resources that can materially improve your safety, your legal knowledge, and your professional life.
Scarlet Alliance is the national peak body representing sex workers across Australia. Founded in 1989, it operates as a federation of state and territory sex worker organisations and individual members. Scarlet Alliance coordinates national policy advocacy, produces research on sex worker health and rights, and represents Australian sex workers in international forums. They were central to the decriminalisation campaigns in Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. For companions, Scarlet Alliance provides access to legal updates, policy analysis, and a national network of peers who understand the industry.
At the state level, peer organisations deliver direct services. Respect Inc operates in Queensland, providing free and confidential legal information, health referrals, safety resources, and peer support. They also run outreach programmes and workplace visits. In NSW, the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) offers similar services, including a migrant and culturally diverse sex worker programme. In Victoria, Vixen Collective provides peer education, advocacy, and community connection. SIN (Sex Industry Network) serves South Australia, and Magenta in WA supports workers in one of the more restrictive jurisdictions.
What these organisations actually do for you is practical. They can explain the specific laws in your state, help you understand your tax obligations, connect you with sex worker-friendly health services, and provide safety resources including ugly mugs lists and client screening guidance. If you are involved in a dispute with a client, a landlord, or a platform, they can provide guidance and, in some cases, direct advocacy. Most services are free and confidential, and you do not need to be a member to access basic support.
Connecting with your peer organisation is one of the smartest things you can do as a companion working in Australia. It costs nothing, it reduces your isolation, and it gives you access to collective knowledge built over decades. Discretion actively encourages all Australian companions to register with their local peer organisation. We link to them from our safety resources page, and we work collaboratively with these groups to ensure our platform meets the standards the community expects.
