Skin penetration premises

To prevent the transmission of disease, business operators with body decorating and grooming practices carried out by people who are not registered as health professionals must be regulated. Operators must be on the council register and allow environmental health officers to carry out premise inspections. 

Regulated body decorating and grooming practices include:

  • Acupuncture
  • waxing
  • beauty treatments
  • body, nose and ear piercing
  • cosmetic enhancements
  • colonic lavage
  • tattooing; and
  • blood cholesterol and glucose measurement

Hairdressing and other body decorating and grooming practices which do not deliberately pierce the skin are not regulated unless by complaint.

Starting a new skin penetration premises

To open and operate a skin penetration business from a location that hasn't been used previously for that purpose, you must first speak to one of our planning officers, and may be required to submit a Development Application. Call 02 6643 0200 for more information.

Registration and inspection 

When you apply to register your skin penetration premises with us, we will organise an inspection by an environmental health officer, who will assess your practices and processes. If you reuse any of the following tools, you'll need to show appropriate sterilisation practices (using an autoclave) during this inspection:

  • Cuticle nippers/cutters
  • Microdermabrasion heads
  • Tattoo equipment
  • Piercing equipment
  • Derma-rollers
  • Razor scrapers/callus shaver
  • Metal nail files (if they cause skin abrasions)

Be prepared to show documentation of your sterilising process, records of sterilisation and evidence that your autoclave has been annually performance re-qualified. The premise will also be assessed for cleaning and sanitising of surfaces and equipment, adequate personal protective equipment (gloves and aprons), adequate storage of clean and dirty articles, adequate construction and plumbing requirements and infection control procedures. Penalties may apply if your premises do not comply. 

Fees apply for this inspection, and there is also an initial registration fee (for new premises). 

Register your skin penetration premises 

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