Skin Penetration (Piercing and Acupuncture) and Beauty Therapy
Applying for Skin Penetration, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Establishments
The following steps are involved to apply for approval to operate one of the below businesses:
- Contact the City's planning services to ensure the use is approved for the respective premises
- Complete and send through the application form, including plans to health@nedlands.wa.gov.au
- An environmental health officer contacts you to arrange an assessment of the premises and operations against requirements under the relevant regulations
Skin Penetration
Skin penetration is as a procedure in which the skin is cut, punctured, torn, shaved or the mucous membrane is cut, punctured or torn. This includes tattooing, branding, body piercing, acupuncture, scarification, dermal anchors and three-dimensional art, body modifications and some beauty therapy treatments. All persons who perform skin penetration procedures and the premises in which these procedures are performed are required to comply with the provisions of the Health (Skin Penetration) Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) and Code of Practice for Skin Penetration Procedures.
The Code of Practice outlines the minimum standards required to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases. It specifies measures that must be implemented, including proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment or clothing, and the safe handling and disposal of sharps and other contaminated materials.
Depending on the activities being carried out, additional requirements may apply beyond the Regulations and the Code of Practice. Please refer to the specific procedures for body piercing, tattooing, and beauty therapy treatments below for further information.
The legislation requires;
- All skin penetration establishments to notify the local government in which the premises is located,
- compliance with the Code of Practice; and
- mandates that all individuals known or suspected to have an infectious disease must advise the skin penetration practitioners prior to any procedure.
The Department of Health website provides more information on skin penetration.
Body and ear piercing
All body piercers must be familiar with the provisions on body piercing (under s.104A of the Children and Community Services Act 2004) which prohibit the piercing of a child under 18 years of age in any intimate area. Children must have written consent from their parent or guardian for all non-intimate body piercings (nose, tongue, face, belly button or other skin surfaces). Consent from a parent or guardian is not required where a child is aged 16 years or over. For further information please refer to the Body piercing, tattooing and branding children and young people.
Tattooing and Branding
Similar to body piercing, the Department of Communities has established age limits for tattooing and branding. The minimum age is 18 years of age for both procedures unless parental consent is granted for minors.