The Public Health Act 2010 requires Council to take an active role in ensuring compliance with requirements of the Act at premises where skin penetration procedures are carried out.
Business activities are regulated under the Act if deliberate skin penetration occurs which is not carried out under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner.
Skin penetration procedures are regulated due to the potential for transmitting serious infectious disease between clients.
Regulated procedures include tattooing, body piercing, and various beauty therapies (including waxing and micro-dermabrasion). Colonic lavage has also been included in the definition due to the potential for disease transmission.
Council's Environmental Health Officers undertake routine inspections of skin penetration premises to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Public Health Act. Fees are charged for these inspections.
If you are planning to open a business which carries out skin penetration the Construction and Operation of Hairdressing, Beauty and Skin Penetration Premises guideline(PDF, 2MB) is a useful tool to ensure your premises is constructed appropriately. If you are planning to operate from home, please view our Home based business - Hairdressing, Beauty and Skin Penetration Premises fact sheet(PDF, 616KB). Should you require any further information in relation to consent to use your premises, contact Customer Service Centre and ask to speak to a Duty Planning officer on 02 4921 0333.
The law also requires you to notify Council prior to operating the business.
For further information view NSW Health for a variety of resources available relating to skin penetration.