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To be granted a Tattooist licence under the Act, you must satisfy all eligibility requirements including:

• you must be an individual and at least 18 years of age
• you must be an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident (includes New Zealand citizens)
• you must not be a controlled member of a declared organisation under the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012
• you must not be a member of a prescribed criminal organisation or have been a member in the previous 12 months.

You must hold a Tattooist licence to perform a body art tattooing procedure in NSW, including as an apprentice.

You do not need to hold a Tattooist licence if you perform body art tattooing procedures as a self-employed individual at premises for which you hold a Master licence.

You do not need to hold a Tattooist licence to perform a cosmetic tattooing procedure which is defined in the Act as a tattooing procedure:

• that provides an individual a permanent eyeliner, eyebrows or any other permanent make-up, or
• performed by a medical practitioner or for a medical reason.

You don’t need to complete any specific training to be granted a tattooist licence.

You can apply for a Tattooist licence online via Service NSW.

You will need:

• a MyServiceNSW Account in the exact name of your licence application
• copies of two types of acceptable identification documents
• details of your previous, existing or impending employment as a body art tattooist, including any employment as an apprentice
• your application fee.

Once your application has been submitted and processed SLED will contact you with instructions to visit a NSW police station to have your finger/palmprints taken, or to request further information to be provided to support your application.

Note: you don’t have to provide your fingerprints if previously provided for a NSW security, CAPI or tattoo licence.

Once you receive your fingerprint letter you have 42 days to have your fingerprints taken.

You will receive your Tattooist licence card in the post once your application has been granted.

If you cannot apply online, please contact SLED on 1300 362 001.

Your application will be refused if:

• your application is incomplete
• you are not a fit and proper person to be granted a licence
• it would be contrary to the public interest to grant you a licence
• you have been convicted of a disqualifying offence in the past 10 years
• you are a controlled member of a declared organisation under the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012
• you are a member of a prescribed criminal organisation or you were a member of a prescribed criminal organisation in the past 12 months.

You will be sent a Tattooist Licence Renewal and Restoration Application form to your recorded email address about 60 days before the licence expiry date.

You must fill out the form and post it to SLED with your payment details. SLED must receive the form on or before the expiry date. If your licence expires, you will no longer be authorised to perform body art tattooing procedures.

If your licence expires you may apply to restore the licence using the Tattooist Licence Renewal and Restoration Application form. Applications to restore a licence must be received at SLED within three months of the licence expiry date. If your licence was surrendered or cancelled, it cannot be restored.

Tattooist Licence Renewal and Restoration Application forms must be posted to:

Click here for a full list of tattoo licence fees (PDF).

Tattooist licences are subject to conditions imposed under the Act and the Regulation. Heavy penalties apply for breaching licence conditions.

Tattooist licence conditions include:

• you must not sell, dispose of, deliver, let out, hire or rent your licence to any other person
• you must not permit any other person to use your licence
• you must notify SLED within 14 business days about any change to your personal details, including your name and address.

A Tattooist licence may be suspended if there are grounds to cancel a licence. You will receive a written notice notifying you of the suspension and have 14 business days to provide written reasons why your licence should not be cancelled.

A licence may be cancelled if:

• you fail to provide information or records as directed by an authorised officer
• an adverse security determination is made in relation to your licence
• you have breached the legislation or conditions imposed on your licence.

The cancellation of a licence takes effect when the notice is served, or from a later date as specified in the notice.