The legal age for consensual anal sex in Queensland has been brought into line with all other lawful sexual acts, ending "archaic" legislation against homosexuals.

While 16 has been the legal age for most sexual activity, it was illegal to engage in anal sex until the age of 18.

Queensland was the only state in Australia that had different ages of consent for different consensual sexual acts.

Key points: Queensland was only state with different ages of consent for different types of consensual sex

Queensland was only state with different ages of consent for different types of consensual sex 'Archaic' law stigmatised LGBTI relationships, was barrier to healthcare access: MP

'Archaic' law stigmatised LGBTI relationships, was barrier to healthcare access: MP Anal sex will also no longer be referred to as sodomy in Criminal Code

The Labor Government and independents voted to pass the laws last night, along with 28 Opposition MPs.

The other LNP members did not vote.

The two Katter's Australian Party members, Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth, were the only MPs to oppose the changes.

The word sodomy will also be replaced with anal intercourse in the Criminal Code to help reduce stigma.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said the laws finally corrected an injustice and protected the health of young people.

"By removing anachronistic value laden language and ensuring equality in the age of consent, the bill will not only improve sexual health outcomes, but also mental health outcomes for young Queenslanders."

He said health experts found the older age limit could lead to people feeling compelled to withhold information about their sexual history from health practitioners for fear of legal consequences.

"Withholding this information could have serious implications for a young person's medical treatment, particularly as unprotected anal intercourse is the highest-risk behaviour for transmission of HIV."

Reform removes barriers to healthcare

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AIDS Council Queensland director Michael Scott said it was imperative to remove any barrier to access of healthcare for all people.

"An unequal age of consent has been a barrier to equal access to healthcare," he said.

"We are concerned that with the current inequality of age of consent, young people who are sexually active are reluctant to access sexual health services including HIV and other STI testing and preventative health education for fear of being prosecuted."

Opposition health spokesperson John-Paul Langbroek supported the changes but called on the Government to clarify how it would educate 16 and 17-year-olds about the changes.

"The Queensland sexual health strategy includes little to no detail on how it would be delivered," he said.

"There's also no information on the Queensland sexual health strategy that mentions advice about education programs, that refer to physical side effects of sexual activity, on bodies that may not have developed completely, or the mental health aspects. "

Consensual anal sex between adults in Queensland was decriminalised in 1991.

'Archaic' law had stigmatised LGBTI relationships

Environment Minister Steven Miles said the "outdated" law had stigmatised sexual relationships of gay men.

"It is the kind of stigma that contributes to the isolation and loneliness of young LGBTIQ Queenslanders," he said.

"We all know that this archaic law does not prevent anyone from having anal sex.

"What it does is prevent young people from accessing important healthcare and safety information."