Get a tattoo licence or permit

Apply for a permit to hold tattoo events and exhibitions

You must hold a permit if you hold events or exhibitions that involve body art tattooing procedures. This is a tattooing show and exhibition permit.

We can issue a permit for a maximum of 7 days. You can apply for a maximum of 2 permits (per person) per year.

To hold a permit, you must:

Eligibility

To be eligible for a permit, you must:

  • be 18 years or older
  • be an Australian citizen or Australian resident.

If you are applying on behalf of an organisation, you will also need to give us:

  • details of the organisation
  • evidence that you are the nominated event manager.

Lodgement

You can lodge your application with the Office of Fair Trading at the address below, at one of our regional offices or at a Queensland Government service centre.

By mail:

Industry Licensing Unit
Office of Fair Trading
GPO Box 3111
Brisbane QLD 4001

Fees

Permit fees are dependent on the number of participants.

You can pay by:

  • cheque
  • money order
  • credit card.

Processing time

You must lodge your application at least 28 days before the proposed start date of the permit.

We will decide your application as quickly as we can. It may take some time, as multiple government agencies take part in the approval process. For this reason, you should lodge your application as soon as possible.

Make sure that you have all your declarations and identification documents. We will not consider your application unless you do.

Refunds

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a partial refund if:

  • you withdraw your application
  • we refuse your application.

Unsuccessful applications

If your application is unsuccessful, you will receive a letter outlining the reason for the decision.

If you disagree, you may apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a review.

Office of Fair Trading

Go back to Office of Fair Trading home.

Higher risk personal appearance services licence

Your tattoo business also needs a Higher Risk Personal Appearance Services licence from your local council.

This is to make sure that you:

  • follow the required safety guidelines
  • have a clean, safe place of business
  • keep a copy of infection control guidelines on site.

You will need both licences to operate.

If you haven't applied for either licence yet, you are encouraged to apply for your tattoo operator licence first. This will save you time and money if you are not eligible for a tattoo operator licence.

In most cases, you won't need this licence because your employer will already have it.

Certified documents

A photocopy isn't a certified copy. To get a copy certified, you need to take the original document and the copy to a:

  • Justice of the Peace (JP)
  • Commissioner for Declarations (Cdec)
  • solicitor or barrister
  • notary public.

They'll stamp and/or sign the copy and write 'This is a true copy of the original document' on it. Then it's a certified copy.

Find a JP or Cdec in your area.

Please don't post your original documents to us.

Last updated:
11 October 2023