How to apply for a higher risk personal appearance service licence

This process is for starting a new higher risk personal appearance service business.

You must obtain relevant planning approval, building approval and plumbing approval before you submit a higher risk personal appearance service licence application.

1. Prepare the supporting documents for your application

• Plans are required for new businesses and where changes are made to the fit-out of an existing business.
  • Your plans will need to include:
    • a plan showing all equipment, benches, storage cupboards (storage of staff personal items), sinks, non-hand touch hand basin, door/window openings, location of staff areas and chemical/cleaning equipment storage areas to a suitable scale (e.g. 1:100)
    • cross sectional drawings through separate areas of the storage and customer service areas. Details are to include finishes to walls, floors and ceilings, heights of fixtures from floors and benches, junctions of walls and floors and lighting provisions to a suitable scale (e.g. 1:50)
    • a site plan showing location of premises in regard to other premises, including wastewater treatment devices, waste storage area and staff toilets, to a suitable scale
    • details of location and types of sterilising equipment and laundry facilities for sanitising towels, wraps and any other relevant items.
  • To help you prepare plans of your business, download the personal appearance services fit out guide (DOC, 729 KB).
• Copies of infection control qualifications.

2. Personal appearance service licence application

• Submit a higher risk personal appearance service licence application to Council using the approved form. You are responsible for ensuring the application is complete.
• Council will process your application within the legislative timeframe. Council will contact you should additional information be required.
• When Council approves your plans, you can start construction or fit-out. Your building certifier and licensed plumber will advise if any building or plumbing approvals are required.
• Upon completion of the fit-out, contact Council to arrange an inspection.
• When Council approves your licence, you can then operate in accordance with the approved conditions.

This process is for taking over an existing higher risk personal appearance service business.

You may apply for a search for information on the current higher risk personal appearance service and the conditions of approval. This process may require written permission from the vendor.

• Submit a higher risk personal appearance service licence application to Council using the approved form. You are responsible for ensuring the application is complete.
• Council will process your application within the legislative timeframe. Council will contact you should additional information be required.
• When Council approves your licence, you can then operate in accordance with the approved conditions.

This process is for making changes to an existing higher risk personal appearance service business.

Adding extra facilities or renovating your premises could change current planning, building, and plumbing approvals. Contact Council to discuss any changes to your premises prior to the commencement of work.

• Submit a higher risk personal appearance service application to Council using the approved form. You are responsible for ensuring the application is complete.
• Council will process your application within the legislative timeframe. Council will contact you should additional information be required.
• When Council approves your plans, you can start construction or fit-out. Your building certifier and licensed plumber will advise if any building or plumbing approvals are required.
• Upon completion of the fit-out, contact Council to arrange an inspection.
• When Council approves your licence, you can then operate in accordance with the approved conditions.

Advertising signs licence

Some councils have rules about the type and location of any advertising signs for businesses. Depending on the type of advertising sign, you may need to obtain a licence. Find out more about advertising signs.

Infection control qualification

Each person who performs a higher risk personal appearance service must hold an infection control qualification. You need to provide copies of your employees' statement of attainment to Council before starting your business.

Laser licence

If you are removing a tattoo using a laser you will need a laser licence issued by Queensland Health.

Tattoo operator licence or tattooist licence

Businesses wanting to give tattoos also need a tattoo operator licence from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). You will need both the OFT licence and Council’s higher risk personal appearance service licence to operate.

If you haven’t applied for either licence yet, you are encouraged to apply for the OFT tattoo operator licence first. This will save you time and money if you are not eligible for the tattoo operator licence.

Business trading name

If you are registering a new business name, you will need to contact Australian Securities and Investments Commission.