 The study's results presented an estimate of between 13 and 70 unlicensed brothels in Melbourne, and the method used by the researchers involved a systematically analysis of the language used in advertisements from Melbourne newspapers published in July 2006 to identify sex industry venues that were indicated a likelihood of being unlicensed.A total of 438 advertisements, representing 174 separate establishments, were analysed.Some brothels across Victoria remained open during the Covid-19 pandemic throughout 2020.