Register a beauty or skin penetration business

It is recommended that before starting any works that you submit a plans approval application(DOCX, 134KB) to the Environmental Health Team to ensure that your premises will comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Before you can begin operating, you must have paid all relevant fees and have had your final inspection from an Environmental Health Officer. For information on the set-up of a premises under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act please visit the Department of Health's website.

It is recommended that you submit a pre-sale inspection application to Council, and the Environmental Health Team will conduct an inspection to determine if the premises is compliant with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. The inspection will not occur until the associated fees have been paid.

An application to transfer a public health premises(DOCX, 135KB) must be completed by both the existing and new proprietors and submitted to Council. The transfer of registration will be completed once the transfer fee has been paid. 

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that the premise is compliant.

Before starting your home beauty or skin penetration business, it is recommended that you contact the Environmental Health team to discuss your business plans.

For home businesses, Council's structural requirements are as follows:

• All surfaces to be smooth and impervious (no damage to walls, surfaces do not absorb anything, no carpet)
• A supply of potable water
• A sink specifically for hand washing that has hot and cold water with a mixer tap and is in the treatment room.
• If you are undertaking any skin penetration activities, the hand wash basin must be hands free.
• A wash up sink area for your equipment that has hot and cold running water.
• No pets in the beauty treatment areas.
• Adequate disposal for generated waste from procedures (and a sharps container if required).

Mobile hairdressers and beauty therapists are required to register the principal place of business (such as your home) with Council. 

All mobile hairdressers and beauty therapists must be registered by Council to comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and associated regulations. 

Mobile tattooing, piercing, and other forms of skin penetration businesses are not permitted to operate under the Act.

When you apply to register your business with Council, you will be charged two fees:

• A once-off establishment fee
• A registration fee
  
  

The charge for the establishment fee is $154.50

Hairdressing applications are exempt from the establishment fee. A hairdressing registration has a once-off fee and the registration with Council is ongoing.

The registration fee depends on the activities you will be undertaking:

• Hairdressing ONLY: $253.40 (once-off fee)
• Beauty therapy (eg. waxing, manicure): $505.70
• Ear piercing: $505.70
• Tattooist and skin penetration (eg. cosmetic tattooing, dry needling, piercing other than ears): $674.70

Please be aware that Council's registration fees are pro rata, except for hairdressing, and may differ depending on when the application is submitted to Council.