What is a ‘skin penetration procedure’?

The Public Health Act 2010 (the Act) defines a skin penetration procedure as: "Any procedure (whether medical or not) that involves skin penetration (such as acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing or hair removal or the penetration of a mucous membrane), and includes any procedure declared by the regulations to be a skin penetration procedure."

These procedures can include:

• tattooing
• manicures and pedicures
• cosmetic tattooing
• waxing
• piercing
• microdermabrasion
• colonic lavage.

If you are unsure whether a procedure is a skin penetration procedure, contact your local council or Public Health Unit for further information.

Note: skin penetration procedures carried out by a health practitioner registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, or by a person acting under the direction or supervision of a registered health practitioner, while providing a health service are not skin penetration procedures for the purpose of the Act or the Public Health Regulation 2022 (the Regulation).

Who do the requirements of the Act apply to?

The skin penetration requirements of the Act and Regulation apply to all businesses that carry out skin penetration procedures.

There are additional rules in the Regulation that apply to the person carrying out a skin penetration procedure, such as:

• tattooists
• colonic lavage practitioners
• beauticians, nail technicians and unregistered practitioners who carry out acupuncture or dry needling.

What are the risks of skin penetration procedures?

Skin penetration procedures can spread viral, bacterial and fungal infections from one person to another through contaminated equipment and surfaces. This can include diseases such as Hepatitis C and B, and staphylococcal, streptococcal and pseudomonas infections.

Businesses that use effective infection control procedures greatly reduce the risk of infection.

Regulation of the skin penetration industry

Businesses carrying out skin penetration must be registered with the local council, meet all necessary planning and building standards, and have all necessary approvals before opening. Authorised Officers from local councils can inspect skin penetration businesses to ensure they are meeting their health obligations, including:

• the business meets all design and construction standards and is in a clean condition.
• all needles, sharps and other skin penetrating equipment are sterile.
• all sharps are appropriately disposed of.
• good infection control practices are used.
• personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn by operators.

If you have questions about the role of Authorised Offices and how to prepare for an inspection, please contact your local council (see fact sheet Roles and powers of authorised officers).

Further advice

• Contact your local council.
• Contact your local Public Health Unit by calling 1300 066 055.