Hair, beauty and skin penetration
If you operate a hair, beauty or skin penetration business, you may need to register with Council and meet public health requirements.
AlburyCity registers and inspects personal appearance businesses to help protect public health.
Businesses that carry out skin penetration procedures must meet requirements under the Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2022.
Opening a business
Skin penetration businesses must register with Council and obtain necessary planning and building approvals before opening.
- 1
Check planning requirements
- 2
Register with Council
- 3
Arrange a pre-opening inspection
1. Check planning requirements
Contact our Building and Planning team before starting your business to confirm whether planning or building approval is required for your proposed location and activities.
2. Notify Council
If you provide skin penetration procedures, you must notify AlburyCity before opening.
There is no fee to submit the registration form.
3. Arrange a pre-opening inspection
Once your registration is received, our Environmental Health team will arrange a pre-opening inspection.
You must receive a satisfactory inspection outcome before you begin providing skin penetration services.
Inspection fees apply in accordance with AlburyCity's Fees and Charges. No pre-opening inspection fee applies for a change of ownership.
Services covered
Skin penetration procedures involve intentionally piercing or breaking the skin and can create a risk of infection or disease transmission if appropriate hygiene and infection-control practices are not followed.
Skin penetration procedures can include:
- tattooing and tattoo removal
- ear and body piercing
- waxing and sugaring
- manicure and pedicure procedures involving cuticle cutting or pushing
- cosmetic skin needling and derma rolling
- electrolysis
- acupuncture and dry needling
- scarification or branding
- other beauty treatments involving skin penetration.
Other regulated personal appearance services include hairdressing and some beauty treatments.
Inspections
AlburyCity's Environmental Health Officers inspect registered skin penetration businesses to check compliance with public health requirements.
We aim to inspect notified skin penetration premises once each year. Inspections may be unannounced and carried out during normal business hours.
During an inspection, an Environmental Health Officer may check:
- the design, construction and fit-out of the premises
- cleaning and disinfection procedures
- sterilisation of reusable skin penetration equipment and instruments
- record keeping
- waste management
- general hygiene and infection-control practices.
Following the inspection, you will receive an inspection report outlining what was assessed and identifying any issues that need to be addressed.
If action is required, the Environmental Health Officer will explain what needs to be done and the timeframe for completing it.
Inspection fees apply in accordance with AlburyCity's current Fees and Charges.
Report a concern
Contact AlburyCity if you have a hygiene or public health concern about a hair, beauty or skin penetration business in Albury.
Contact Environmental Health
Complaints about the conduct of a registered health practitioner should be directed to the appropriate health complaints or practitioner regulatory body.
Guidance for your business
Access practical guidance on hygiene, infection control and operating personal appearance businesses safely.
