Queenslanders whose lives have been marred by convictions for having gay sex can now apply to have their records cleared.
Consensual homosexual activity was decriminalised in 1991, but convictions remain on people's records decades later.
People under laws that came into effect earlier this month, and avoid having disclose those convictions when applying for Blue Cards to work with kids, government or police jobs, and travel visas.
The Human Right Law Centre said many people have suffered significant and lasting harm from homophobic laws.
"People should never have been criminalised because of who they are or who they love. Now, at least, the practical barriers imposed by these convictions can be removed," Human Rights Law Centre lawyer Lee Carnie says.
Relatives of people who have died with active convictions can also apply to have such convictions expunged.
South Australia is now the only state or territory that's yet to act on the issue.
