Higher Risk Personal Appearance Services, such as tattooing and body piercing, operated from fixed, mobile or residential premises require a licence. Lower Risk Personal Appearance Services, such as hairdressing and beauty therapy, do not require a licence.
Below you will find step-by-step guides for new businesses, existing businesses and taking over a business.
Or skip to information for Low-Risk Personal Appearance Services.
Please note applications for Higher Risk Personal Appearance Services such as tattooing and body piercing can take up to 40 days to process
New businesses
- Check with town planning if a personal appearance service is permitted in the area. You can use this form
- Check with Trade Waste if you require a trade waste permit. You can use this form.
- Check with Local Laws if any permits are required. You can use this form.
Licence
A licence is required for Higher-Risk Personal Appearance Services businesses, such as tattooing and body piercing. To apply for a licence:
- Apply for your personal appearances service licence and include advice on how you comply with the Queensland Development Code
More information on requirements on personal appearance services premises is available in the document, Queensland Development Code MP 5.2 (PDF).
Existing businesses, licence renewals and amendments
The same application form is used to:
- Apply to operate a personal appearance service
- Renew a licence to operate a personal appearance service
- Amend an existing personal appearance service.
Taking over a business
- Before you purchase a business, we recommend that you request a sales search. This allows an Environmental Health Officer to inspect the premises, either as a desktop audit or a physical audit, to identify any issues. Complete and submit this form to request a sales search.
- The vendor (or their legal counsel) will also need to complete and submit this form to authorise Council to release information to you.
- Submit your application to transfer a licence to operate a personal appearance service.
Mobile and home-based businesses
Mobile and home-based high-risk personal appearance services require a licence.
Low-risk personal appearance services
Low-risk personal appearance services, such as hairdressers and beauty therapists, do not require a licence but must follow Infection Control Guidelines. More information on infection control is available in the document, Infection Control Guidelines for Personal Appearances Services.
