Council’s health officers undertake regular inspections of premises involved in skin penetration. The Public Health Act, 2010 defines a skin penetration procedure as:
- Dry needle therapy
- Ear and body piercing
- Hair removal
- Nail salons that remove cuticles
- Semi-permanent make-up
- Tattooing
- Any other treatment that is prescribed by the regulation as skin penetration
Procedure (whether medical or not) that involves skin penetration also includes body piercing, waxing, electrolysis, semi-permanent makeup and any beauty treatment which involves the deliberate penetration or removal of the skin. This does not include procedures performed in the practice of a registered medical practitioner.
This definition does not include hairdressers or barbers as their practices do not involve the deliberate penetration of the skin. They are required to follow infection control procedures when skin is accidentally cut or penetrated and to prevent the spread of skin infections such as tinea, herpes, staphylococcal, streptococcal and pseudomonal infections.
If skin penetration procedures are not undertaken correctly they have the potential to transmit bacterial and fungal infections, as well as viral infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C. Infection control procedures must be implemented to protect the health of the client and the operator.
Notification/Registration of Skin Penetration and Hairdressing Premises
The occupier of premises where skin penetration procedures or hairdressing are carried out must notify Council before opening for business by submitting this form.
Inspections
Skin penetration premises, as well as beauty and hairdressers, are inspected twice year to ensure they comply with infection control requirements and basic health and hygiene.
Useful Links
These websites may provide useful information including legislation and fact sheets:
Fact Sheets
For further information on infection control procedures, please refer to the NSW Health Department Control of Skin Penetration Procedure page and these other Department fact sheets:
- Beauty treatment - hygiene standards
- Body piercing - hygiene requirements
- Cleaning and Disinfection of Foot Spas
- Colonic lavage (or colonic irrigation) - hygiene standards
- Control of skin penetration procedures
- Hairdressing and barbers - hygiene standards
- How to sterilise your instruments
- Nail treatment (manicures and pedicures) - hygiene standards
- Tattooing and other body art - hygiene standards
- Waxing - hygiene standards