Skin Penetration Premises

The Public Health Act 2010 defines 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, but does not include—

(a)  any procedure carried out by a registered health practitioner, or by a person acting under the direction or supervision of a registered health practitioner, in the course of providing a health service, or

(b)  any procedure declared by the regulations not to be a skin penetration procedure.

What is a 'skin penetration' activity?

• Waxing
• Ear, nose and body piercing
• Cuticle cutting (manicure/pedicure)
• Semi-permanent makeup and eyebrow micro-blading
• Microdermabrasion
• Skin needling / Derma rolling
• Tattooing
• Colonic lavage
• Dry needling
• Acupuncture
• Any other treatment which involves penetration of and/or removal of skin

Note: Acupuncture treatments that are carried out by or under the supervision of a medical practitioner registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia are not considered ‘skin penetration’ for the purpose of the Public Health Act 2010, and so businesses offering this are not required to register with or be inspected by Council.

Skin penetration operators must comply with the Public Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2022 and the Public Health Act 2010.

Councils Environmental Health Officers can conduct unannounced inspections of your premises at any time it is in operation. Inspections are primarily focussed on checking compliance with the Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2022.

During the inspection, the officer will assess the following:

• Design, construction and fit out of the premises – including facilities for handwashing, equipment washing
• Cleanliness of premises and equipment
• Cleaning and disinfecting processes 
• Single use items are disposed of immediately after use
• Sterilisation of skin penetration equipment
• Record keeping – particularly relating to use of autoclaves and sterilisation
• Waste management including sharps containers

You will be emailed a copy of the inspection report following the inspection, which will outline the details of what was checked and any non-compliances identified.

The officer will advise you, either while on site or via phone or email afterwards, whether any further action is required from you. This may take the form of an email, letter, or a more formal Notice. It is important to ensure you address all required actions from your inspection by the date specified to avoid risking fines or other enforcement action being taken.

More information can be found on the NSW Health Skin Penetration website.

It is a requirement that all skin penetration operators register their business details with Strathfield Council prior to carrying out any skin penetration operations. Please complete the Skin Penetration Application(PDF, 35KB) and return to Council.

Council Officers carry out annual inspections of beauty salons, tattoo parlours, acupuncturists and other business which carry out skin penetration procedures.

The inspection program aims to:

• Educate and inform business operators on best practice methods to minimize public health risks.
• Ensure that business operators achieve compliance with the Public Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2022 and the Public Health Act 2010.
• Enhance and maintain public health standards among skin penetration business operators.

Strathfield Council maintains a register of all skin penetration businesses which carry out operations within the area.

If you wish to bring a skin penetration business to Council’s attention in relation to public health concerns, please contact Council’s Customer Service via council@strathfield.nsw.gov.au or on 9748 9999 to report the name and address of the business. Include the date and time you visited the premises and the nature of the problem.

There is an initial registration fee and inspection fee in accordance with Strathfield Council’s Fees and Charges.

For more information, visit the NSW Health website.

Skin penetration business owners need to follow these design and construction standards to ensure that new and existing businesses are correctly designed and operated.

NSW Health fact sheet