Apply to be a tattooist
A tattooist is a person who performs body art tattooing procedures for fee or reward.
Body art tattooing is a tattooing procedure performed for decorative purposes—it does not include cosmetic tattooing.
You are not a tattooist if you run a body art tattooing business, even if you work from home—you are a tattoo operator.
You need to hold a current licence to be a tattooist. To get a licence, you must:
- meet the eligibility criteria
- fill out and lodge the application for a tattooist licence form or apply online with the Fair Trading individual new application form.
If you already have a licence from another Australian state or territory you may be entitled to mutual recognition—this will convert your existing licence into a valid Queensland licence. But you must hold a current certificate in Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments (HLTINF005).
Eligibility
To be eligible for a tattooist licence, you must:
- be 18 years or older
- be an Australian citizen or Australian resident
- not be subject to a relevant control order or registered corresponding control order that restricts you from carrying on a business, engaging in an occupation, or performing an activity that requires a licence
- not be convicted of a prescribed offence under the Tattoo Industry Act 2013 where a conviction was recorded within the last 10 years
- undertake a criminal history check with Queensland Police Service.
Lodgement
You can lodge your application with the Office of Fair Trading at the following address, one of our regional offices or a Queensland Government service centre:
Industry Licensing Unit
Office of Fair Trading
GPO Box 3111
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Fees
You will need to pay the required fees when you lodge your application, based on the licence period—1 or 3 years.
You can pay by:
- cheque
- money order
- credit card.
Identification
When you lodge the form, you will need to attach 100 points of identification. These documents must be either original—if lodged at the counter—or certified copies.
Your identification must include at least 1 of the following 5 documents:
- birth certificate or extract
- passport
- ImmiCard
- driver licence
- 18+ card.
You may also need to include some of the following documents to make up your 100 points:
- citizenship certificate
- ID card
- Health Care Card
- letter from your employer
- any other official letter, card or statement listed on the application form.
Finger and palm printing
By law, the police need to take your finger and palm prints. We will contact you after you lodge your application form to explain what you need to do.
Photographs
You will need to attach 2 passport-sized photos of yourself. They must be certified and signed by a person who is at least 18 years of age and has known you for at least 12 months.
Processing time
We will decide your application as quickly as we can. We will not decide your application unless:
- you’ve filled it out completely
- you include all the required documents.
Refunds
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a partial refund if:
- you withdraw your application
- we refuse your application.
Unsuccessful applications
If your application fails we will send you a letter to explain the reason for the decision.
If you disagree, you may apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a review.