Health, beauty and skin penetration businesses

The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 ('the Act') is designed to promote public health and to reduce risks to public health.

If you operate any of the following businesses, the Act requires you to register with us before you begin trading:

• Acupuncture
• Body hair removal including waxing, electrolysis, laser treatment and threading
• Colonic irrigation
• Dermabrasion
• Dry needling
• Ear and body piercing
• Facials
• Hairdressing
• Makeup application, both temporary and permanent
• Manicures, pedicures, foot spas and any nail treatments or dressing
• Mobile hair and beauty services (for example, hairdressing, hairstyling, manicures, pedicures and make-up application) conducted in a client’s home, hotel, hostel, day-care centre or nursing home; you must still register your business with us although you don’t operate in a custom premises
• Spray tans
• Tattoos including ink tattoos, cosmetic tattoos and henna tattoos.

You must comply with regulations to ensure your business is clean and safe.

You must renew your registration and pay a registration fee every year. We’ll send you a reminder when your renewal is due. 

There are 2 exceptions:

1. Acupuncturists registered with the Chinese Medicine Board don’t need to register with us.
2. Businesses that provide only makeup and/or hair services must register but don’t need to renew. You must notify us if your services change.

This page sets out the steps for starting a new health, beauty or skin penetration business. We encourage you to contact us or use our free Business Support Service for guidance before you begin the process. 

Step 1: Apply to establish your business

Before you register your business, we recommend you apply to establish it with us.

We can help you prepare your premises and services to meet the legal requirements. These requirements are detailed in the Health, beauty and skin penetration premises structural guidelines at the bottom of this page. 

We also recommend you refer to the Vic Health page on infectious diseases. 

Apply to establish a health and beauty business

Step 2: Request a pre-sale inspection if you’re buying an existing business

If you plan to buy an existing health and beauty business, we strongly recommend you use our pre-sale inspection service before you make the purchase.  

Our environmental health officers will inspect the business you’re considering and send you a detailed report of any items that don’t comply with the Act.  

Our standard service provides a report within 10 working days. If you want it sooner, you can choose a 5-day turnaround after calling (03) 9278 4444 to confirm that an environmental health officer is available. Fees apply for this service.

You’ll need the current proprietor’s consent to release the inspection report.

After we’ve issued the report, it’s your responsibility to negotiate and resolve any outstanding non-compliant items with the current proprietors before you take over the business.

Step 3: Fit out your business

Once we have assessed and approved your application to establish a business, you can fit out your business knowing you are meeting all requirements.

We recommend  you contact Yarra Valley Water to find out your sewerage and waste water requirements, and other utility providers to confirm that you meet their codes and standards.

Step 4: Arrange an onsite inspection

After you’ve completed your accommodation premises fit-out, you can book a final inspection. Do this at least one week before you open to the public. We’ll inspect the premises to make sure it meets all the legal requirements. 

Step 5: Register your business

Once we’ve completed our final inspection and you’ve met all the requirements, we’ll give you an Application for Registration form to complete and submit with the prescribed fee.

If your application is successful, you will receive a Certificate of Registration by email. An inspection will then occur within one month of being approved to operate.

Fees