Appearance industries
If you are starting up a new appearance industry business, you need to apply for a Certificate of Registration. The bylaw aims to help manage and reduce health and hygiene risks by regulating certain procedures that risk piercing, cutting or burning a person’s skin.
We adopted a new bylaw for appearance industries in 2022. This bylaw sets out the structural criteria for beauty, nail, tattooing and skin piercers premises and the conduct and practices of the operators.
This bylaw covers anyone offering treatments which might be carried out at beauty salons, cosmetic clinics, spas, shops, or by mobile and/or home-operators.
You will need to register your premises with Council annually unless your activity is exempt. Council can also issue a licence for combined Appearance Industries and Hairdressers, who carry out both activities
What is the Appearance Industries Bylaw?
The Appearance Industries Bylaw ensures businesses that provide personal appearance services (e.g., beauty salons, tattoo parlours) maintain safe and hygienic practices to protect public health.
Why do I need certification?
Certification demonstrates your business complies with safety and sanitation standards, ensuring a safe environment for customers and helping to build trust in your services.
What businesses need to comply with this bylaw?
Any business offering personal services like hairdressing, beauty treatments, tattooing, or other body modification services must comply with this bylaw.
How do I get certified?
Contact your local council to apply for registration or go onto our website and apply for registration. You’ll need to meet hygiene and safety requirements, and an inspection may be required.
What happens if I don’t comply?
Non-compliance can result in fines, penalties, or on rare occasions, closure of your business. Ensuring your business meets the requirements helps you avoid these risks.
How often do I need to renew my registration?
Registration typically needs to be renewed annually. Check with your local council for specific renewal dates and requirements.
Can I apply for registration before opening my business?
Yes, new businesses in appearance industries, including hairdressers and barbershops and food businesses must apply for registration before operating to ensure they meet health and safety standards from the start.
What is the role of the Environmental Health team
The Environmental Health team assists businesses with the registration process, inspects the business or verifies the business to ensure the business is complying with legislation, can offer guidance on compliance, investigates any public health complaints, and can address any other concerns.
Before you apply
Before you apply, you should speak to:
- A Council Planning Officer – to ensure that an appearance industry premises is permitted in the location. There may be special requirements like set operating hours or car parking provisions.
- A Council Building Officer – and submit a Building Consent application if you are building a new premises or altering an existing building, adding specified systems, making structural change, altering plumbing or altering the building’s use (eg transitioning from a gift shop to an appearance industry business)
- A Council Environmental Health Officer – to discuss any questions you have relating to the Hairdresser’s Regulations and submit a floor plan
You should also be familiar with the Appearance Industries bylaw. This sets out the structural criteria for beauty, nail, tattooing and skin piercers premises and the conduct and practices of the operators.
Payment and processing
Fees vary. You can check which fees apply to you here.
Once we have received your application, we will invoice you the appropriate fee.
When your payment has been received, your application will be processed.
You will be contacted by an Environmental Health Officer to arrange an on-site inspection.
After your inspection, if approved, you will then be issued a Certificate of Registration.
You will receive an invoice from us each year to renew your registration.
How to apply
To apply, click here and then select ‘Alcohol, food, and health business’ where you’ll be taken to the online portal to login or set up an online account before progressing with the application.
Please note that Council staff cannot view any applications which have not yet been ‘submitted’.
Find out more
Contact Environmental Health Officers