Skin Penetration Businesses

A skin penetration business includes:

  • acupuncture
  • tattooing
  • ear and body piercing
  • hair removal.

Skin penetrating procedures carry risks of transmitting disease and infections.

If your business provides treatments involving skin penetration, you need to:

  • Register with Council before carrying out any procedures.
  • Comply with health and safety regulations.

Register your business

Step 1.Setting Up a New Business

Any new skin penetration premises must have development approval. Check with our Development Support Officers before doing any works or starting a business.

Browse our links section for more detailed information on specific skin penetration business types.

Step 2.Register your business

Complete the form and pay the relevant fees.

Skin Penetration or Beauty Premises Owner Details form

Step 3.Changes to contact details

Council must be notified within 7 days of any changes to the information provided.

 

The Public Health Act defines "skin penetration" as:

  • acupuncture
  • tattooing
  • cosmetic tattooing
  • ear and body piercing
  • hair removal
  • any other procedure (whether medical or not) that involves penetrating the skin.

Exemptions

Procedures performed in medical or dentistry practices are exempt. However, these services must be carried out by a registered, licensed medical practitioner or dentist, or a person acting under the direction or supervision of either.

Because of the potential health risks involved, all skin penetration operators and premises must comply with the public health standards.

Our Environmental Health Officers routinely inspect hairdressing salons, beauty salons and premises that carry out skin penetration procedures to check that businesses are complying with the relevant public health standards.