Tattooist and other body art practitioners conduct procedures that involve skin penetration. Because 'skin penetration' carries a risk of infection, the premises and procedures where skin penetration is conducted must comply with the Public Health Regulation, 2012.​

This fact sheet has been developed by NSW Health to assist tattooist and other body art practitioners who carry out procedures that involve skin penetration to adopt good infection control practices. This will prevent the spread of disease as well as enable the tattooist and other body art practitioners meet the requirements of the Public Health Regulation, 2012.

Procedures that involve skin penetration carry a greater risk of spreading disease because microorganisms (germs) can easily enter the body when the skin barrier is broken. Microorganisms that are present on dirty instruments that penetrate the skin have caused outbreaks of diseases such as hepatitis C and B. Most of the outbreaks of disease have occurred when contaminated needles were used. Because of this risk, needles must not be reused.

To prevent the spread of disease, the following requirements should assist tattooist and other body art practitioners adopt good infection control practices: