Resources for Government
Regulations of Beauty Salons in NSW, Australia.
Local Councils in NSW are responsible
for ensuring that hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons,
tattoo parlours, acupuncturists and other premises that use
skin penetration procedures comply with legislation and are
constructed and maintained in a clean and hygienic manner.
The skin is a natural barrier against infection and
penetrating the skin can introduce infective micro-organisms
into the body. It is important to maintain hygiene standards
to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis
A & B, and other bacterial, fungal or viral diseases.
Skin penetration procedures include any of the following
procedures:
- acupuncture
- tattooing
- ear piercing
- hair removal
- any other procedure (whether medical or not) that involves
skin penetration such as body piercing, hair removal using
wax or electrolysis, cosmetic enhancement and semi-permanent
make-up, and 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);
It is recommended that the NSW Health Skin Code of Best
Practice and Guidelines on Skin Penetration are followed.
There are also legal requirements to be met under the Public
Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2000. The document
‘Beauty Salon & Skin Penetration Presentation’ is available
for downloading at the bottom of this page.
This gives a more in-depth view of what is required. NSW
Health offer fact sheets for a range of beauty procedures
and the Victorian Department of Human Services ‘Health
Guidelines for Personal Care and Body Art Industries’ is
also a useful guide.
Constructing & Fitting Out Premises
All premises which use skin penetration techniques are
required to be registered with Council. The premises must be
fitted out with the appropriate furniture, appliances and
utensils to carry out the necessary procedures in a safe and
hygienic manner. For example, the premises must have
appropriate floor coverings, shelves, fittings and
sterilising equipment. Council may have additional planning
and building requirements so please consult with a
Development Planner and/or Building Surveyor. You may also
require a Trade Waste Agreement.
Council recommends that the Australian Standard AS/NZS
4815:2001 : Office-based health care facilities not involved
in complex patient procedures and processes - Cleaning,
disinfecting and sterilizing reusable medical and surgical
instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated
environment is used. This is available from Standards
Australia.
Inspections
Under s51 of the Public Health Act 1991, an Environmental
Health Officer can enter and inspect hairdressing salons,
barber shops, tattooists and other skin penetration
premises. Premises will be inspected:
Once a year.
If the premises is not complying with the legislation and/or
Council has received a complaint.
In addition to a Council Officer, inspections may be carried
out on occasion by an Environmental Health Officer from NSW
Health.
Related Links
NSW Health
Public Health Act 1991
Public Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2000
Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
Local Government Act 1993
Hairdressers & Barbers
Hairdressing businesses must supply their clients with
professionally competent, safe and hygienic services, in
clean and congenial premises. By allowing unhygienic or
unsafe procedures, or to allow premises, furnishings or
fittings to become dirty or poorly maintained, may lead to
conditions that can jeopardise the health of both clients
and operators and contribute to the spread of infectious
diseases such as head lice.
It is essential for hairdressers to know and understand the
health implications of the procedures carried out and the
precautions that must be taken to minimise health risks.
Hairdressers and barbers shops must meet the standards set
out in the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 –
Schedule 2 Part 2 Standards for Hairdressers Shops. The
following basic principles apply to hairdressing:
1. The premises must be kept in a clean and hygienic state.
2. Any article that has been used on a client must be
cleaned before using it on another person.
3. Operators must keep themselves and their clothing clean
and have no exposed cuts, abrasions or wounds.
For further information on providing a safe and clean
service, follow the link to Draft Guidelines on the
Standards of Practice for Hairdressing issued by the South
Australian Health Commission. This offers a clear, concise
reference tool for hairdressers. Also recommended is the
Victorian guidelines which provide details of low-chemical
sterilisation techniques for equipment.
Some hairdressing businesses also offer beautician services.
Please see the ‘Beauty Salons’ section for relevant
information.
Skin Penetration & Hygiene
As sharp instruments such as razors, scissors, and clippers
are used, safe and hygienic procedures need to be followed
to prevent the transmission of bacterial, fungal and viral
diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. NSW
Health have issued a Skin Penetration – Fact Sheet
“Hairdressing & Barbers” with guidelines to meet hygiene
standards.
Beauty Salons
The services offered by beauty salons often involve contact
with skin and body fluids. Because of this, it is important
to have well trained operators and suitable procedures in
place to ensure a high standard of hygiene.
The type of procedures used by beauty salons may include
waxing, manicures
and pedicures, semi-permanent makeup, electrolysis, and
cosmetic enhancement.
Beauty salons must comply with the Local Government
(General) Regulation
2005 – Schedule 2 Part 3 Standards for Beauty Salons.
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