If your licence application or renewal/restoration application is refused, or your licence is cancelled or suspended, you will be informed in writing.

Where possible under the Tattoo Industry Act 2012, you will be given reasons for the decision and will receive details about your right of review.

The right of review allows you to request an internal review of the decision to refuse your application or to cancel your licence. You have 28 days to make a written application for an internal review, which must be completed by SLED within 21 days of the receipt of your request or within an agreed timeframe.

You can also request an administrative review of the decision by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). Contact NCAT on 1300 006 228 or visit ncat.nsw.gov.au.

Disqualifying Offences

There are criminal offences prescribed in tattoo industry legislation that automatically exclude you from being granted a tattoo licence.

You cannot be granted a tattoo licence if you have been convicted of a prescribed offence in the past 10 years.

Offences that automatically disqualify an applicant include those:

  • Relating to firearms or weapons
  • Relating to prohibited drugs
  • Involving serious violence
  • Involving organised criminal groups, consorting and recruitment
  • Involving money laundering
  • Of a sexual nature
  • Relating to tattooing and body piercing of children and young people
  • Relating to riot
  • Involving stalking or intimidation
  • Involving kidnapping or abduction
  • Involving robbery
  • Involving fraud
  • Relating to terrorism
  • Relating to blackmail

Existing licence holders will have their licence revoked if they are found guilty of a disqualifying offence.

Further details can be found in section 16 of the Tattoo Industry Act 2012 and Schedule 4 of the Tattoo Industry Regulation 2023.