Skin penetration and personal appearance services
If you operate a beauty or skin penetration business, you need to notify Council
and meet public health requirements.
Under the Public Health Act 2010 (the Act), AlburyCity is responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance at premises where skin penetration procedures are performed.
Businesses offering personal appearance services are regulated under the Act when deliberate skin penetration is carried out, unless it is performed under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner (regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – AHPRA).
What is a Skin Penetration Procedure?
A skin penetration procedure involves piercing or breaking the skin and can pose a risk of transmitting infectious diseases between clients and the technician if appropriate hygiene practices are not followed. Diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV can be transmitted through contaminated instruments or poor infection control.
To protect public health, these procedures are strictly regulated under the Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2022.
Examples of skin penetration procedures include:
- Tattooing
- Acupuncture
- Cosmetic enhancements
- Waxing and sugaring
- Ear and body piercing
- Cuticle cutting and pushing (manicures and pedicures)
- Scarring or branding
- Dry needling
- Electrolysis
- Skin needling/Derma rolling
- Other beauty therapies involving skin penetration
- Colonic lavage (included due to its potential for disease transmission)
For more information, please visit the NSW Health website.
Opening a Personal Appearance Business with Skin Penetration Services
All skin penetration businesses operating in AlburyCity must be notified with Council. Follow the steps below to ensure compliance.
Before starting your business, contact our Building and Planning team to discuss your proposal. Most new skin penetration businesses will require a Development Application (DA). Our team can advise whether planning approval is needed for your business and help you understand your obligations.
Phone: 02 6023 8111
Email: info@alburycity.nsw.gov.au
Complete the Regulated Premises Notification Form. Once submitted, a member of our Environmental Health team will contact you to discuss next steps.
Please note: There is a fee for submitting this form as outlined in the AlburyCity Fees and Charges.
Notification of a skin penetration business is legally required under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 and the Public Health Regulation 2022.
Once your notification is received, the Environmental Health team will schedule a pre-opening inspection. You must receive a satisfactory inspection outcome before you can begin skin penetration services.
- Inspection fees apply as outlined in the AlburyCity Fees and Charges.
- No fee applies for pre-opening inspections when there is a change of ownership.
For detailed guidance on business set up, please refer to the Construction and Operation of Hairdressing, Beauty and Skin Penetration Premises guideline(PDF, 2MB).
Council’s Role
AlburyCity works closely with skin penetration businesses to support high hygiene and safety standards through:
- Assessing and approving new businesses prior to operation
- Conducting routine inspections to ensure compliance
- Investigating complaints related to hygiene and safety issues
We aim to inspect all notified skin penetration premises once per year to uphold public health standards.
Please note that inspection fees apply, as outlined in the current AlburyCity Fees and Charges schedule.
Environmental Health Inspections
Our Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) may conduct unannounced inspections during business operating hours. These inspections are designed to ensure your business is complying with the Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2022.
During an inspection, the officer will assess the following:
- The design, construction, and fit-out of the premises
- Cleaning and disinfection procedures
- Sterilisation practices for skin penetration equipment
- Record keeping
- Waste management
At the end of the inspection, you will receive a copy of the inspection report. This document outlines what was checked and identifies any non-compliances found. The officer will also inform you either on site, or later via phone or email if any follow-up action is required.
This may include an advisory email or letter, or in some cases, a formal Notice. It is essential to complete all required actions by the specified deadline to avoid the risk of fines or further enforcement action.
Fact Sheets and Guides
Please access the below fact sheets on the requirements for skin penetration businesses.
How to clean and sterilise reusable skin penetration equipment and instruments Skin penetration business design and construction
Specific fact sheets are available for the following activities
- Body piercing
- Tattooing
- Manicure and pedicure
- Waxing
- Hairdressers and barbers
- Colonic lavage
- Beauty treatment
For further information please refer to the NSW Health website Skin penetration resources and Skin penetration.
Report a concern to Council
If you would like to make a complaint about a skin penetration business in AlburyCity, please contact us on Phone: (02) 6023 8111 or Email: info@alburycity.nsw.gov.au.
For concerns outside Council’s responsibility, please refer to the table below to find the appropriate organisation to contact:
