Beauty services and tattooing

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This page is aimed at hairdressers, barbers and skin penetration businesses that include:

  • hair removal (wax or electrolysis)
  • tattooing
  • ear and body piercing
  • colonic lavage
  • beauty treatments that involve deliberate skin penetration. 

Renovation or new business

Speak to Council’s Duty Planner on 02 6670 2400 to find out if any planning approvals are needed.

If you're renovating or making changes to the layout:

  1. You will need to provide draft plans of the business according to the Skin penetration business design and construction standards.
  2. Submit an application for Skin penetration activities fit-out plan and pay the required fee (this is separate to planning approvals).
  3. When you're ready to trade, arrange a final fit-out inspection with Council's Environmental Health Officer on 02 6670 2400.
  4. Submit a registration form: Application for hairdressing and skin penetration registration/change of details.

Fees

For beauty salon and other health premises fees, see fees and payments.

Taking over an existing business?

If you're taking over an existing business and not making any changes, submit a Beauty and skin penetration premises registration form to notify Council of your business before you operate.

Pre-purchase advice

If you're looking to purchase an existing beauty salon or tattooing shop business, Council offers 2 types of pre-purchase checks to help your decision making:

  • pre-purchase: records search only
  • pre-purchase: inspection report and records search.

The applicant is to arrange a suitable time between Council and the business owner to conduct the inspection.

To carry out a pre-purchase check complete a conveyancing application. Fees apply.

Selling or closing a business

Notify Council about any change to your business ownership in writing, including the date of business closure or sale.

Public health regulations

If you're starting a new business or renovating an existing one to include skin penetration activities, you must make sure it complies with the Public Health Regulation 2022 – NSW Legislation.

For more information see:

Body art tattooing businesses and tattooists who operate in NSW must be licensed with NSW Police Force – Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED). Apply for a tattooist licence.

Hairdressers and barbers

Hairdressers and barbers that only cut hair are exempt from annual inspections and fees associated with skin penetration registration. Registration is still required, see Beauty and skin penetration premises registration form.

Acupuncture and other medical treatments

You do not need to register with Council if your business is already registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).

Also see

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