Personal appearance services

Personal appearance services (PAS) include hairdressing, beauty therapy and skin penetration procedures (for example, tattooing, body piercing and cosmetic injectables). These services have the potential to spread disease and cause infection so they must comply with the Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003 and the Infection Control Guidelines for Personal Appearance Services.

When you need a licence

You need a licence from us if your business activities are classified as 'higher risk personal appearance services'. Examples of services that require a licence include:

  • body piercing
  • tattooing (including cosmetic tattooing, semi-permanent make-up, micropigmentation, microblading and BB glow treatment)
  • implanting a natural or synthetic substance into a person's skin (for example, hair or beads, cosmetic injectables, skin needling, mesotherapy, thread lift, platelet-rich plasma therapy)
  • scarring or cutting a person's skin using a sharp instrument to make a permanent mark, pattern or design (for example, scarification, branding, ear pointing and tongue splitting)
  • tattoo removal by skin penetration (for example by injection/needles).

See the Personal appearance services categorisation table on the Queensland Health Personal Appearance Services – Legislation web page for more details.

Licences are valid until 31 August each year and are renewed annually. For options on how to renew your licence visit our permits and licensing renewals page.

When you don't need a licence

You do not need a licence from us if your business activities are classified as non-higher risk personal appearance services, or are not personal appearance services. Examples of services that do not require a licence include:

  • hairdressing
  • beauty therapy (for example, manicure or pedicure, artificial nails, waxing, electrolysis, application of cosmetics, facial or body treatments)
  • closed ear or nose piercing with a piercing gun
  • laser tattoo removal– you don't need a licence from us but you do need a laser licence with Queensland Health
  • acupuncture
  • massage therapy
  • personal appearance services provided within a health-care facility – you don't need a licence from us but you need to comply with relevant medical legislation.

Even though non-higher risk personal appearance services (for example, hairdressing, beauty therapy) don’t need a licence, they must still follow the Infection Control Guidelines for Personal Appearance Services

For more information, contact our City Standards team on 07 5667 5987.

Taking over an existing business

Current higher risk personal appearance services licences can be transferred to a new operator.

We recommend you apply for a health licence search to confirm the higher risk personal appearance service licence is current and to ensure the current licence holder is complying with their licence conditions.

Complying with regulations

You and your staff are responsible for complying with all requirements of the relevant legislation. Refer to Related information. This includes:

Who to contact for other matters

In addition to personal appearance services legislation, businesses must comply with all other relevant requirements including:

How to apply

Use one of the options below to apply for a higher risk personal appearance services licence for a:

  • fixed premises
  • mobile premises, or
  • temporary premises.

Before you apply

We recommend you contact us on 1300 465 326 for advice on whether you will need development approval from us. Make sure your site has the appropriate approval before submitting your application.

Depending on the type, size and intended use of any permanent buildings and structures, building approval and certification from a building certifier may also be required.

Online

Step 1.Gather your documents

You will need to attach the following supporting information to your application:

  • floor plan to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work area zones, equipment and fittings (including hand washing facilities and sinks)
  • cross-section drawings to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work are zones, equipment and fittings
  • site plan detailing location of premises in regard to other premises and facilities
  • sterilising and cleaning equipment details, e.g:
    - skin penetration equipment/instruments used and the method of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilisation; or if equipment/instruments are single-use disposable
    - details and location of any reprocessing equipment for reusable instruments (e.g. autoclave, ultrasonic cleaner, washer-disinfector), including validation certificate per AS5369 if applicable
    - washing machine for cleaning reusable linen, or specify if linen is washed by a commercial laundry, or if single-use disposable linen is used
  • waste disposal equipment (e.g. general waste, sharps containers, and clinical waste if applicable)
  • statement of attainment for infection control competency standard for each person providing higher risk personal appearance services (HLTINF005, HLTIN2A, HLTIN402B or HLTIN402C)
  • for mobile or temporary premises only – evidence of nil fee eligibility.

Step 2.Submit our online form

This online form is currently only available for Fixed premises.

Submit online form

By email

Step 1.Gather your documents

You will need to attach the following supporting information to your application:

  • floor plan to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work area zones, equipment and fittings (including hand washing facilities and sinks)
  • cross-section drawings to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work are zones, equipment and fittings
  • site plan detailing location of premises in regard to other premises and facilities
  • sterilising and cleaning equipment details, e.g:
    - skin penetration equipment/instruments used and the method of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilisation; or if equipment/instruments are single-use disposable
    - details and location of any reprocessing equipment for reusable instruments (e.g. autoclave, ultrasonic cleaner, washer-disinfector), including validation certificate per AS5369 if applicable
    - washing machine for cleaning reusable linen, or specify if linen is washed by a commercial laundry, or if single-use disposable linen is used
  • waste disposal equipment (e.g. general waste, sharps containers, and clinical waste if applicable)
  • statement of attainment for infection control competency standard for each person providing higher risk personal appearance services (HLTINF005, HLTIN2A, HLTIN402B or HLTIN402C)
  • for mobile or temporary premises only – evidence of nil fee eligibility.

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download and complete one of the following Higher risk personal appearance services licence forms:

Step 3.Send us your completed application form

Email to: mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

In person

Step 1.Gather your documents

You will need to attach the following supporting information to your application:

  • floor plan to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work area zones, equipment and fittings (including hand washing facilities and sinks)
  • cross-section drawings to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work are zones, equipment and fittings
  • site plan detailing location of premises in regard to other premises and facilities
  • sterilising and cleaning equipment details, e.g:
    - skin penetration equipment/instruments used and the method of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilisation; or if equipment/instruments are single-use disposable
    - details and location of any reprocessing equipment for reusable instruments (e.g. autoclave, ultrasonic cleaner, washer-disinfector), including validation certificate per AS5369 if applicable
    - washing machine for cleaning reusable linen, or specify if linen is washed by a commercial laundry, or if single-use disposable linen is used
  • waste disposal equipment (e.g. general waste, sharps containers, and clinical waste if applicable)
  • statement of attainment for infection control competency standard for each person providing higher risk personal appearance services (HLTINF005, HLTIN2A, HLTIN402B or HLTIN402C)
  • for mobile or temporary premises only – evidence of nil fee eligibility.

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download and complete one of the following Higher risk personal appearance services licence forms:

Step 3.Visit one of our customer service centres

Submit your application at one of our customer service centres Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm.

By mail

Step 1.Gather your documents

You will need to attach the following supporting information to your application:

  • floor plan to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work area zones, equipment and fittings (including hand washing facilities and sinks)
  • cross-section drawings to scale detailing location, materials and dimensions of work are zones, equipment and fittings
  • site plan detailing location of premises in regard to other premises and facilities
  • sterilising and cleaning equipment details, e.g:
    - skin penetration equipment/instruments used and the method of cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilisation; or if equipment/instruments are single-use disposable
    - details and location of any reprocessing equipment for reusable instruments (e.g. autoclave, ultrasonic cleaner, washer-disinfector), including validation certificate per AS5369 if applicable
    - washing machine for cleaning reusable linen, or specify if linen is washed by a commercial laundry, or if single-use disposable linen is used
  • waste disposal equipment (e.g. general waste, sharps containers, and clinical waste if applicable)
  • statement of attainment for infection control competency standard for each person providing higher risk personal appearance services (HLTINF005, HLTIN2A, HLTIN402B or HLTIN402C)
  • for mobile or temporary premises only – evidence of nil fee eligibility.

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download and complete one of the following Higher risk personal appearance services licence forms:

Step 3.Send us your completed application form

Post to:

City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726

Request a licence search

If you are looking at buying licensed premises such as an existing personal appearance services business, we recommend you apply for a health licence search to confirm there is a current approval and ensure the exiting owner is complying with licence conditions.

Request a health licence search

Renew a licence/permit

Find out how to renew a licence or permit if there is no renewal fee or if payment of a fee is required.

Amend a licence/permit

Find out how to make changes to your personal appearance services licence.

Cancel a licence/permit

Use the Cancel a licence/permit form to cancel an existing licence/permit. No fees apply.

Replace approval documentation

Use the Replace approval documentation form to apply for replacement approval documentation for your permit or licence. Fees may apply.

Transfer an existing licence/permit

Use the Transfer of licence/permit form when taking over an existing business that has a current licence.

Related information

Back to top