Centre for Population Health

Businesses who conduct any procedures on their clients which can penetrate their skin are defined in the Public Health Act as being ‘skin penetration’ businesses

These ‘skin penetration’ businesses occur across a range of industries such as:

• Tattooists
• Piercing studios
• Beauticians
• Nail salons
• Colonic irrigation businesses

The legislation:

• specifies procedures to prevent the spread of disease
• requires operators to be registered with the local council
• gives powers to authorised officers to carry out inspections and take action to gain compliance.

The Public Health Unit will investigate complaints of disease or infections associated with ‘skin penetration’ businesses.

Local Councils are required to keep a register of skin penetration practitioners in their areas and can conduct regular inspections.

Useful links

• Beauty treatment businesses fact sheet (NSW Health)
• Skin penetration industry (NSW Health)
• Skin penetration notification form (NSW Health)
• Skin penetration resources, including translated resources (NSW Health)