Skin Penetration Services

If your business is a business performing skin penetration (higher risk) services, you are required to comply with public health laws.

Council is responsible for making sure that you are registered and operate in a hygienic manner.

Our responsibility excludes skin penetration procedures carried out by health practitioners registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) No 86a, or by a person acting under the direction or supervision of a registered health practitioner.

Skin penetration (higher risk) services

Skin penetration procedures (whether medical or not) that involve skin penetration includes:

  • Dry needling
  • Tattooing
  • Ear piercing
  • Hair removal
  • Body piercing
  • Hair removal using wax or electrolysis
  • Cosmetic enhancement and semi-permanent make-up
  • Any beauty treatment which involves the deliberate penetration or removal of the skin
  • Any other procedure prescribed by the regulations (which now includes colonic lavage)

Important information

  • This does not include procedures performed in the practice of a registered medical practitioner
  • All skin penetration or other body decorating/grooming businesses must be registered with Council (we do not register hairdressers in the Shoalhaven)
  • Development consent may be required for any new skin penetration premises or alteration of an existing premises

Find out more:

How to make a complaint about a skin penetration business

Council's Environmental Health Officers conduct routine health inspections of skin penetration premises and investigate complaints regarding these premises.

Register a complaint

  • Contact Council's Environmental Health Team
  • Alternatively, you can e-mail
  • Or mail:
    • The Chief Executive Officer
      Shoalhaven City Council
      P.O Box 42 Nowra NSW 2541

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