One critic bemoans the surrounding space for being ''too small'' and with its 1950s decor, ''slightly tacky''. But with ''first-rate'' service received, he pledges to become a regular and advises others to do likewise.

Welcome to the XXX Australian Reviews website, where members post restaurant-style reviews of brothels in Melbourne and other cities, and rate sex workers on a scale of one to 10.

XXX Australian Reviews is one of several forums that rates brothels and sex workers. Credit:Anthony Johnson

The site is one of several forums where membership is restricted to ''punters'' who contribute regular reviews and feedback. But not only do these sites cater for tens of thousands of men who pay for sex in legal parlours, they double as an underground information exchange for those who fuel the illegal sex trade. There are numerous tiers of membership available, based on the number of reviews and level of detail posted.

In nearly every case, these highly explicit, degrading evaluations read the same: The illegal sex worker hails from an Asian background and offers ''exotic'' services at a fraction of the cost being charged in legitimate premises elsewhere in the city. The cheaper the price and the further she goes beyond a ''happy ending'' massage, the better.