Find out if you need a higher risk personal appearance licence

Businesses providing tattooing, body piercing, skin penetration, hairdressing or beauty therapy are regulated under the Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003 to ensure that the risk of infection from these activities is minimised.

Do I need a licence?

Businesses providing some Personal Appearance Services require a licence from Council, as they have a higher risk of spreading disease or causing infection due to the release of blood or body fluids. 

When you need a licence

You need a licence to provide any Higher Risk Personal Appearance Services, including:

  • body piercing, other than closed ear and nose piercing
  • implanting a natural or synthetic substance into a person’s skin, for example hair or beads
  • scarring or cutting a person’s skin using a sharp instrument to make a permanent mark, pattern or design
  • tattooing (including cosmetic tattooing and semi-permanent make-up)
  • tattoo removal using micro needles.

When you don’t need a licence

You do not need a licence if you only provide the following Non-Higher Risk Personal Appearance Services:

  • hairdressing
  • beauty therapy (including facial or body treatments, application of cosmetics, manicures or pedicures, application of, or mending artificial nails, hair removal by electrolysis or wax)
  • closed ear or nose piercing
  • tattoo removal using a laser (you don’t need a licence from Council, but you do need a laser licence issued by Queensland Health)

Although Non-Higher Risk Personal Appearance Services do not require a licence, they are still required to comply with the Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003 and demonstrate that they are taking all reasonable precautions and care to minimise the risk of infection to their clients. For most businesses, the most practical way of achieving this will be to comply with the Infection Control Guidelines.

The Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003 does not apply to the following services:

  • acupuncture
  • personal Appearance Services provided within a healthcare facility (e.g. cosmetic surgery).
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