Hairdressing, body art and piercing for Environmental Health Officers

See below resources to support Environmental Health Officers in ensuring owners and operators of hairdressing salons and premises where the practice of skin penetration procedures, including tattooing, are undertaken meet their general duty under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 (the Public Health Act) to prevent or minimise any harm to public health resulting from their activities.

The Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 360KB) and the Guidelines on the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin Penetration (PDF 431KB) provide information on how to ensure best practice, effective infection control and minimise risk. For more information including fact sheets and guidelines see hairdressing, body art and piercing.

External training resources on hairdressing, body art and piercing

Accredited training for owners and operators is available from the Australian Government Department of Education maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments.

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare infection prevention and control training.

NSW Health have a range of training videos relevant to the skin penetration industry relating to infection control.

The National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) Hand Hygiene online learning modules have been developed to increase knowledge regarding hand hygiene practices. The modules are available for access by any person with an internet connection. All learners need to complete a registration as a new user the first time they access the system only. Access is free.

Relevant legislation relating to hairdressing, body art and piercing

In addition to the Public Health Act additional existing legislation and controls for the tattoo industry include:

Useful links on hairdressing, body art and piercing

Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is part of the Australian Government Department of Health, and is responsible for regulating therapeutic goods including prescription medicines, vaccines, sunscreens, vitamins and minerals, medical devices, blood and blood products.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Procedures and practitioners regulated by AHPRA including registered and endorsed practitioners who perform acupuncture, minor (non-surgical) cosmetic medical procedures, prescribing and administering (prescription only) cosmetic injectables

CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) provides credible, reliable health information on diseases and conditions, environmental health, healthy living, injury, violence and safety, life stages and specific populations

Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA) provides information on procedures and practitioners regulated by the CMBA including registered and endorsed practitioners who perform acupuncture services.

National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme’s (PDF 1254KB) recommendations to state and territory health authorities regarding the chemical safety of tattoo and cosmetic inks (as contained in the 2018 report Characterisation of tattoo inks used in Australia).

SA Hair and Beauty Association (SAHBA) is a “Not for Profit” Organisation run by professional volunteers for the betterment of the industry.

South Australian Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC) South Australia has implemented the Code of Conduct for Certain Health Care Workers (the code) Health care workers who do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) will have to comply with the code and display certain information where they practise.

US Food and Drug Administration Tattoos and Permanent Makeup fact sheet.

Work Health and Safety Act 2012