The legal age for consensual anal sex in Queensland has been lowered to 16 years, in line with other consensual sexual activity, and the word "sodomy" removed from the Criminal Code.

The Queensland Parliament voted to remove the longstanding source of discrimination in Queensland's Criminal Code on Thursday night.

The age of consent for anal sex has been lowered from 18 to 16, in line with other sexual activities. Credit:Ashley Corbin-Teich

Previously in Queensland, the age of consent was 18 for anal intercourse but 16 for all other sexual activity.

An panel of health experts met in May this year to consider changes to the Criminal Code and found that bringing the age of consent for anal intercourse in line with other sexual activity would improve sexual health.