Tattoo industry breaches and penalties

On this page you'll find information about the penalties for tattoo industry offences. These fines are for individuals—corporations could face up to 5 times the maximum penalty.

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Inspectors have the legal authority to make sure you don't break the law—you must follow their lawful directions or risk a fine.

These offences relate to non-compliance with inspectors.

Offence

Maximum penalty

Making a false or misleading statement to an inspector, police officer or the Chief Executive, Office of Fair Trading (OFT)

$33,380 or 2 years imprisonment

Giving a false or misleading document to an inspector, police officer or the Chief Executive, OFT (unless you declare that it's false or misleading)

$33,380 or 2 years imprisonment

Obstructing an inspector or police officer (without a reasonable excuse)

$10,014

Failing to show your licence to an inspector or police officer

$3,338

These offences relate to your licence.

Cancellation or suspension of licence

Find out the reasons your licence can be cancelled or suspended.

Offence

Maximum penalty

Failing to return a cancelled or suspended licence within 14 days

$3,338

Failing to advise the Chief Executive, Office of Fair Trading (OFT), within 7 business days, that you're aware of a reason we should cancel or suspend your licence

$6,676

Change of licence details

Offence

Maximum penalty

Failing to advise the Chief Executive, OFT, about any changes to your personal details within 14 business days of the change

$6,676

Failing to advise the Chief Executive, OFT, about any changes to your licence or licence application within 14 business days of the change

$6,676

Conditions of licence

Offence

Maximum penalty

Breaching a condition of your licence

$6,676

Unlawful use of licence

Offence

Maximum penalty

Disposing of, selling, hiring out or lending your licence to another person

$6,676

The person in charge of a tattoo parlour must have a tattoo operator licence. If they don’t, the premises is unlicensed.

We can issue an interim closure of unlicensed premises and a magistrate may order its long-term closure—you must not continue to work at closed premises.

These offences relate to your place of business.

Offence

Maximum penalty

Failing to obey a closure order

$16,690

Failing to submit a Change in certain particulars form within 20 days of a change in staffing

$6,676

Failing to display your licence at your place of business

$6,676

These offences relate to your records.

Procedures log

You must use the Procedures log to record any procedures that you (or your employees) do on the premises.

Offence

Maximum penalty

Failing to make an entry into the log at the time of a procedure

$33,380

Failing to keep a logbook in the approved form for a calendar year

$16,690

Failing to keep logbooks for 3 years after the end of a calendar year

$16,690

Other records

Offence

Maximum penalty

Failing to keep records in English

$33,380

Failing to keep records on your licensed premises at all times

$33,380

Unlicensed work in the tattoo industry is against the law. These penalties relate to unlicensed work.

OffenceFirst offenceSecond offenceThird offence
Carrying out a body art tattooing business without a valid licence$83,450

$116,830
or
6 months in prison

$166,900
or
18 months in prison

Performing tattooing work without a valid licence$83,450

$116,830
or
6 months in prison

$166,900
or
18 months in prison

Employing an unlicensed person to do tattooing work$83,450

$116,830
or
6 months in prison

$166,900
or
18 months in prison