{"id":"tattooing-industry-control-act-2015","name":"Tattooing Industry Control Act 2015","slug":"tattooing-industry-control-act-2015","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":110455,"registerId":"sa-tattooing-industry-control-act-2015-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Tattooing Industry Control Act 2015","content":"South Australia\nTattooing Industry Control Act 2015\nAn Act to regulate the tattooing industry; to prevent criminal infiltration of the tattooing industry; and for other purposes.\n\nContents\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1\tShort title\n3\tInterpretation\n4\tProviding tattooing services\n5\tCriminal intelligence\n6\tCommissioner for Consumer Affairs to be responsible for administration of Act\nPart 2—Regulation of providers of tattooing services\n7\tAutomatic and permanent disqualification from providing tattooing services\n8\tCommissioner for Consumer Affairs may disqualify person from providing tattooing services\n9\tService of disqualification notice\n10\tVariation or revocation of disqualification notice by Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\n11\tOffence to allow disqualified person to provide tattooing services\nPart 3—Authorised officers may direct providers of tattooing services etc\n12\tAuthorised officers may direct persons\nPart 4—Information gathering and reporting\n13\tProviders of tattooing services etc to provide certain information to Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\n14\tEmployees to provide certain information to Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\n15\tCommissioner for Consumer Affairs may require information\n16\tRecord keeping\nPart 5—Review\n17\tReview\nPart 6—Enforcement and further offences\n18\tAuthorised officers\n19\tPowers of authorised officers\n20\tFurther powers of police officers—general drug detection\n21\tOffence to possess certain items in premises where tattooing services provided\n22\tFurther powers of police officers—random weapon and explosive searches\nPart 7—Miscellaneous\n23\tExemptions\n24\tFalse or misleading information\n25\tCommissioner of Police may provide information to Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\n26\tStatutory declaration\n27\tOffences by bodies corporate\n28\tService\n29\tEvidentiary provision\n30\tRegulations\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Tattooing Industry Control Act 2015.\n3—Interpretation\n\t(1)\tIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—\nclose associate—see subsection (3);\nCommissioner for Consumer Affairs means the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs under the Fair Trading Act 1987 or the person for the time being acting in the office of Commissioner for Consumer Affairs;\ncriminal intelligence means information relating to actual or suspected criminal activity (whether in this State or elsewhere) the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to prejudice criminal investigations, enable the discovery of the existence or identity of a confidential source of information relevant to law enforcement or endanger a person's life or physical safety;\ndirector of a body corporate includes—\n\t(a)\ta person occupying or acting in the position of director or member of the governing body of the body corporate, by whatever name called and whether or not validly appointed to occupy or duly authorised to act in the position; and\n\t(b)\tany person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors or members of the governing body of the body corporate are accustomed to act;\ndomestic partner means a person who is a domestic partner within the meaning of the Family Relationships Act 1975, whether declared as such under that Act or not;\nprescribed organisation—the following are prescribed organisations:\n\t(a)\ta declared organisation within the meaning of the Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008;\n\t(b)\ta criminal organisation within the meaning of Division 1 or Division 2 of Part 3B of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935;\n\t(c)\tany other organisation prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition,\nand a reference to a member of such an organisation is to be construed in accordance with the relevant Act;\ntattoo means to insert into or through the skin any colouring material designed to leave a permanent mark;\nTribunal means the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013.\n\t(2)\tFor the purposes of this Act, a reference to a parent, brother, sister or child of a person will be taken to include a reference to a step‑parent, step‑brother, step‑sister or step‑child (as the case requires) of the person.\n\t(3)\tFor the purposes of this Act, 2 persons are close associates if—\n\t(a)\t1 is a spouse, domestic partner, parent, brother, sister or child of the other; or\n\t(b)\tthey are members of the same household; or\n\t(c)\tthey are in partnership; or\n\t(d)\tthey are related bodies corporate (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth); or\n\t(e)\t1 has a right to participate (otherwise than as a shareholder in a body corporate) in income or profits derived from a business conducted by the other; or\n\t(f)\t1 is in a position to exercise control or significant influence over the conduct of the other.\n4—Providing tattooing services\n\t(1)\tFor the purposes of this Act, a person provides tattooing services if—\n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—he or she—\n\t(i)\ttattoos another person (whether or not for fee or reward); or\n\t(ii)\tcarries on a business in the course of which he or she or another person tattoos a person (whether or not for fee or reward); or\n\t(iii)\tis a director of a body corporate that carries on a business in the course of which he or she or another person tattoos a person (whether or not for fee or reward); or\n\t(iv)\tsells or supplies, or offers to sell or supply, prescribed tattooing equipment to a person; or\n\t(v)\tprovides any other service of a kind prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—the body corporate—\n\t(i)\tcarries on a business in the course of which a person tattoos another person (whether or not for fee or reward); or\n\t(ii)\tis a close associate of a body corporate that carries on a business in the course of which a person tattoos another person (whether or not for fee or reward); or\n\t(iii)\tsells or supplies, or offers to sell or supply, prescribed tattooing equipment to a person; or\n\t(iv)\tprovides any other service of a kind prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.\n\t(2)\tFor the purposes of this section, a reference to supplying prescribed tattooing equipment does not include a reference to the mere delivery of prescribed tattooing equipment by Australia Post, a courier or a similar carriage service.\n\t(3)\tIn this section—\nprescribed tattooing equipment means the following equipment (however described) used, or to be used, in tattooing a person:\n\t(a)\ta tattoo machine or tattoo gun;\n\t(b)\tneedles;\n\t(c)\tink or other colouring material;\n\t(d)\tany other equipment prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.\n5—Criminal intelligence\n\t(1)\tInformation that is classified by the Commissioner of Police as criminal intelligence for the purposes of this Act may not be disclosed to any person other than the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, the Minister, a court, the Tribunal or a person to whom the Commissioner of Police authorises its disclosure.\n\t(2)\tIf the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs—\n\t(a)\tdisqualifies a person from providing tattooing services under Part 2 or refuses to revoke a disqualification under Part 2; and\n\t(b)\tthe decision to do so is made because of information that is classified by the Commissioner of Police as criminal intelligence,\nthe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs is not required to provide any grounds or reasons for the decision other than that it would be contrary to the public interest if the person were to provide tattooing services.\n\t(3)\tIn any proceedings under this Act, the court or tribunal determining the proceedings—\n\t(a)\tmust, on the application of the Commissioner of Police, take steps to maintain the confidentiality of information classified by the Commissioner of Police as criminal intelligence, including steps to receive evidence and hear argument about the information in private in the absence of the parties to the proceedings and their representatives; and\n\t(b)\tmay take evidence consisting of or relating to information so classified by the Commissioner of Police by way of affidavit of a police officer of or above the rank of superintendent.\n\t(4)\tThe Commissioner of Police may not delegate the function of classifying information as criminal intelligence for the purposes of this Act except to a Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner of Police.\n6—Commissioner for Consumer Affairs to be responsible for administration of Act\nThe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs is responsible, subject to the control and directions of the Minister, for the administration of this Act.\nPart 2—Regulation of providers of tattooing services\n7—Automatic and permanent disqualification from providing tattooing services\n\t(1)\tA person must not provide tattooing services if the person is disqualified from providing tattooing services under this section.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—imprisonment for 4 years; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\n\t(2)\tA natural person is disqualified from providing tattooing services if he or she—\n\t(a)\tis a member of a prescribed organisation; or\n\t(b)\tis a close associate of a person who is a member of a prescribed organisation or is subject to a control order under the Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008; or\n\t(c)\tis disqualified from providing tattooing services (however described) under a law of the Commonwealth or another State or Territory; or\n\t(d)\tis a person, or is a person of a class, prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection.\n\t(3)\tA body corporate is disqualified from providing tattooing services if—\n\t(a)\tthe body corporate—\n\t(i)\tis a prescribed organisation; or\n\t(ii)\tis disqualified from providing tattooing services (however described) under a law of the Commonwealth or another State or Territory; or\n\t(b)\ta director of the body corporate is disqualified from providing tattooing services under subsection (2); or\n\t(c)\tis a body corporate, or is a body corporate of a class, prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection.\n\t(4)\tA person is disqualified from providing tattooing services whether the events referred to in subsection (2) or (3) occur—\n\t(a)\tbefore or after the commencement of this section; or\n\t(b)\tbefore or after the person commences providing tattooing services.\n8—Commissioner for Consumer Affairs may disqualify person from providing tattooing services\n\t(1)\tWithout limiting section 7, the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs may, by notice in writing (a disqualification notice), disqualify a person from providing tattooing services if—\n\t(a)\tthe person was, at any time within the 5 preceding years, a member of a prescribed organisation; or\n\t(b)\tthe person was, at any time within the 5 preceding years, a close associate of a member of a prescribed organisation; or\n\t(c)\tthe person is found guilty, or has within the preceding 10 years been found guilty, of an offence prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section; or\n\t(d)\tthe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs reasonably believes that such action is appropriate for the purpose of averting, eliminating or minimising a risk, or a perceived risk, to the safety of members of the public; or\n\t(e)\tthe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs reasonably believes that to allow the person to provide tattooing services, or to continue to provide tattooing services, would otherwise not be in the public interest.\n\t(2)\tA disqualification notice has effect from the date specified in the notice and continues in force—\n\t(a)\tindefinitely; or\n\t(b)\tfor the period specified in the notice; or\n\t(c)\tuntil the notice is revoked in accordance with this or any other Act,\nwhichever is the sooner.\n\t(3)\tA person who contravenes or fails to comply with a disqualification notice is guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—imprisonment for 4 years; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\n\t(4)\tA person does not commit an offence against this section in respect of an act or omission unless the person knew that the act or omission constituted a contravention of, or failure to comply with, the disqualification notice or was reckless as to that fact.\n\t(5)\tSubject to this section, a disqualification notice given by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs—\n\t(a)\tmust state the grounds on which the notice has been given; and\n\t(b)\tmust contain a statement advising the recipient that he or she is entitled to seek a review of the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs decision to give the notice in accordance with section 17; and\n\t(c)\tmust contain such other information as may be required by the regulations.\n\t(6)\tA statement of the grounds on which a disqualification notice has been issued must not contain information that is classified by the Commissioner for Police as criminal intelligence (however a failure to comply with this subsection does not invalidate a disqualification notice).\n9—Service of disqualification notice\n\t(1)\tSubject to the making of an order under subsection (3), a disqualification notice must be served on the recipient personally and is not binding on the recipient until it has been so served.\n\t(2)\tIf a police officer has reason to believe that a person is subject to a disqualification notice that has not been served on the person, the officer may—\n\t(a)\trequire the person to remain at a particular place for—\n\t(i)\tso long as may be necessary for the notice to be served on the person; or\n\t(ii)\t2 hours,\nwhichever is the lesser; and\n\t(b)\tif the person refuses or fails to comply with the requirement or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the requirement will not be complied with, arrest and detain the person in custody (without warrant) for the period referred to in paragraph (a).\n\t(3)\tIf a police officer satisfies a court that all reasonable efforts have been made to effect personal service of a disqualification notice on a recipient in accordance with this section but that those efforts have failed, the court may make such orders as it thinks fit in relation to substituted service (and the notice is not binding on the recipient until it has been so served).\n10—Variation or revocation of disqualification notice by Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\nThe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs may, at any time, vary or revoke a disqualification notice by notice in writing to the recipient.\n11—Offence to allow disqualified person to provide tattooing services\n\t(1)\tA person who carries on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided must not allow a person who is disqualified under this Act from providing tattooing services to provide tattooing services in the course of that business.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—imprisonment for 4 years; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\n\t(2)\tIn proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), it is a defence for the defendant to prove that he or she believed on reasonable grounds that the person who provided tattooing services in contravention of that subsection was not disqualified under this Act from providing such services.\nPart 3—Authorised officers may direct providers of tattooing services etc\n12—Authorised officers may direct persons\n\t(1)\tAn authorised officer may give a direction under this section to a person who provides tattooing services for the purpose of averting, eliminating or minimising a risk, or a perceived risk, to the safety of members of the public.\n\t(2)\tA direction under this section—\n\t(a)\tmust be in the form of a written notice served on the person to whom it is issued; and\n\t(b)\tmust specify the person to whom the direction is given (whether by name or by a description sufficient to identify the person); and\n\t(c)\tmay direct 2 or more persons to do something specified in the notice jointly; and\n\t(d)\twithout limiting any other provision, in the case of a direction that relates to the condition of any premises, may be given to any person who—\n\t(i)\tis the owner or occupier of the premises; or\n\t(ii)\thas the management or control of the premises; and\n\t(e)\tmust state the purpose for which the direction is given; and\n\t(f)\tmay impose any requirement reasonably required for the purpose for which the direction is given, including 1 or more of the following:\n\t(i)\ta requirement that the person discontinue, or not commence, a specified activity indefinitely or for a specified period or until further notice from an authorised officer;\n\t(ii)\ta requirement that the person take specified action in a specified way, and within a specified period or at specified times or in specified circumstances;\n\t(iii)\ta requirement that the person take action to prevent, eliminate, minimise or control any specified risk to the safety of members of the public; and\n\t(g)\tmust contain a statement advising the person to whom the direction is given that he or she is entitled to seek a review of the decision to give the direction in accordance with section 17.\n\t(3)\tA person to whom a direction is given under this section must not, without reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to comply with the direction.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\nPart 4—Information gathering and reporting\n13—Providers of tattooing services etc to provide certain information to Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\n\t(1)\tA person who proposes to commence carrying on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided must give the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs written notice in accordance with this section.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\n\t(2)\tA person who—\n\t(a)\ton the commencement of this section is carrying on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided; or\n\t(b)\tafter the commencement of this section commences to carry on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided,\nmust give the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs written notice in accordance with this section.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\n\t(3)\tA notice under subsection (1) or (2)—\n\t(a)\tmust be given in a manner and form determined by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs; and\n\t(b)\tmust be given—\n\t(i)\tin the case of a person referred to in subsection (1)—at least 90 days before commencing to carry on the business; or\n\t(ii)\tin the case of a person referred to in subsection (2)(a)—within 28 days after the commencement of this section; or\n\t(iii)\tin the case of a person referred to in subsection (2)(b)—within 28 days after commencing carrying on the business; and\n\t(c)\tmust include—\n\t(i)\tin the case of a body corporate—\n\t(A)\tthe name of the body corporate and any business or trading name under which the body corporate is to provide tattooing services; and\n\t(B)\tthe registered address of the body corporate; and\n\t(C)\tthe full name, residential address and date of birth of each director of the body corporate; and\n\t(ii)\tin the case of a natural person—his or her full name, residential address and date of birth; and\n\t(iii)\tin any case—\n\t(A)\tthe address of any premises at which tattooing services are to be provided by or on behalf of the person; and\n\t(B)\tthe full name, residential address and date of birth of any other person employed by the person to provide tattooing services; and\n\t(C)\tsuch other information as may be required by the regulations.\n\t(4)\tA person required to give notice under this section must, within 14 days of any change in the information referred to in subsection (3), notify the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs of the changed information.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\n\t(5)\tA notice under subsection (4) must be given in a manner and form determined by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs.\n14—Employees to provide certain information to Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\n\t(1)\tA person must, within 28 days of commencing employment (whether paid or unpaid) in the course of which he or she provides tattooing services, notify the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs that he or she is so employed.\nMaximum penalty: $100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year.\n\t(2)\tA notice under subsection (1)—\n\t(a)\tmust be given in a manner and form determined by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs; and\n\t(b)\tmust contain the information required by regulations.\n15—Commissioner for Consumer Affairs may require information\n\t(1)\tThe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs may, by notice in writing, require a person whom he or she reasonably suspects has knowledge of matters in respect of which information is reasonably required for the administration or enforcement of this Act to provide to him or her such information as may be specified in the notice.\n\t(2)\tInformation required under a notice must be provided in the manner and form, and within the period, specified in the notice.\n\t(3)\tA person must not, without reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to comply with a requirement made under subsection (1).\nMaximum penalty: $100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year.\n16—Record keeping\n\t(1)\tA person carrying on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided must keep such records as may be required by the regulations.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\nExpiation fee: $10 000.\n\t(2)\tA record required to be kept by a person under this section must be kept for a period of not less than 2 years.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\nExpiation fee: $10 000.\nPart 5—Review\n17—Review\n\t(1)\tA person who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, or a direction of an authorised officer under section 12, may apply to the Tribunal under section 34 of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 for review of the decision or direction.\n\t(2)\tSubject to subsection (3)(b), an application for review must be made within 28 days of the making of the relevant decision or direction.\n\t(3)\tSubject to section 5—\n\t(a)\tthe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs or authorised officer (as the case requires) must, if so required by the person seeking review under subsection (1), state in writing the reasons for the decision or direction in relation to which the review is sought; and\n\t(b)\tif the reasons of the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs or authorised officer are not given in writing at the time of the decision or direction (as the case requires) and the person (within 1 month of the decision or the direction) requires the Commissioner or authorised officer to state the reasons in writing, the time for making an application for review runs from the time at which the person receives the written statement of those reasons.\nPart 6—Enforcement and further offences\n18—Authorised officers\n\t(1)\tThe following persons are authorised officers for the purposes of this Act:\n\t(a)\tthe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs;\n\t(b)\tpolice officers;\n\t(c)\tauthorised officers under section 76 of the Fair Trading Act 1987;\n\t(d)\ta person, or a class of persons, authorised by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs to be an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act.\n\t(2)\tAn authorisation under subsection (1)(d) may be made subject to conditions or limitations specified in the instrument of authorisation.\n\t(3)\tAn authorised officer under subsection (1)(d) must be issued with an identity card—\n\t(a)\tcontaining the person's name and a photograph of the person; and\n\t(b)\tstating that the person is an authorised officer under this Act.\n\t(4)\tIf the powers of an authorised officer under subsection (1)(d) have been limited by conditions, the identity card issued to the authorised officer must indicate those limitations.\n\t(5)\tAn authorised officer (other than a police officer in uniform) must, at the request of a person in relation to whom the authorised officer intends to exercise powers under this Act, produce for inspection his or her identity card or other evidence of his or her authority.\n\t(6)\tThe Commissioner for Consumer Affairs may, by notice in writing to the authorised officer, vary or revoke an authorisation under subsection (1)(d), or a condition or limitation of such an authorisation, on any grounds he or she thinks fit.\n19—Powers of authorised officers\n\t(1)\tAn authorised officer may—\n\t(a)\tenter and remain in or on any premises, place or vehicle that the officer reasonably suspects is used for, or in connection with, the provision of tattooing services (and, if entry is refused, may employ such force as is reasonably necessary to gain entry); and\n\t(b)\tinspect or search the premises, place or vehicle or any equipment or other thing on the premises, place or vehicle; and\n\t(c)\tinspect any records kept by a person whom the authorised officer reasonably suspects of providing tattooing services and, for that purpose, require the person, or an employee or agent of the person, to produce the records; and\n\t(d)\texamine, copy or take extracts from such records, or require the person, or an employee or agent of the person, to provide a copy of the records; and\n\t(e)\tremove and retain such records for so long as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of making a copy or extract of the record; and\n\t(f)\tseize and remove anything that constitutes evidence of an offence against this Act.\n\t(2)\tAn authorised officer may not exercise the power of entry conferred by this section in relation to residential premises except—\n\t(a)\twith the consent of the occupier of the premises; or\n\t(b)\ton the authority of a warrant issued by a magistrate under this section; or\n\t(c)\tif there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the premises are used on a continuing or regular basis for, or in connection with, the provision of tattooing services.\n\t(3)\tA magistrate may issue a warrant for the purposes of this section if satisfied, by information given on oath, that the warrant is reasonably required in the circumstances.\n\t(4)\tAn authorised officer may, in exercising a power under this section, be accompanied by such assistants as may reasonably be required in the circumstances.\n\t(5)\tA person who—\n\t(a)\thinders an authorised officer in the exercise of powers under this Act; or\n\t(b)\trefuses or fails to comply with a requirement made under this section,\nis guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\n20—Further powers of police officers—general drug detection\nA police officer may carry out general drug detection under the Controlled Substances Act 1984 in relation to premises that the police officer reasonably suspects are being used to carry on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided (and, for the purposes of the Controlled Substances Act 1984, such premises will be taken to be an area to which section 52A of that Act applies).\n21—Offence to possess certain items in premises where tattooing services provided\n\t(1)\tA person who has possession of a prescribed item in premises used to carry on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided is guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.\n\t(2)\tIn proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), it is a defence for the defendant to prove that he or she did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to have known, that the relevant premises were, at the relevant time, used to carry on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided.\n\t(3)\tIn this section—\nprescribed item means—\n\t(a)\ta firearm (within the meaning of the Firearms Act 1977); or\n\t(b)\texplosive (within the meaning of the Explosives Act 1936); or\n\t(c)\ta dangerous article, offensive weapon or prohibited weapon (within the meaning of Part 3A of the Summary Offences Act 1953); or\n\t(d)\tany other item prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition.\n22—Further powers of police officers—random weapon and explosive searches\n\t(1)\tA police officer may carry out a random weapon and explosive search in relation to premises that the police officer reasonably suspects are being used to carry on a business in the course of which tattooing services are provided.\n\t(2)\tA police officer may, in carrying out a search under this section, do 1 or more of the following:\n\t(a)\tenter and remain in the premises;\n\t(b)\tinspect or search the premises, any person on the premises and any equipment or other thing on the premises;\n\t(c)\texamine any substance, equipment or device;\n\t(d)\ttake and remove from the premises samples of any substance or goods;\n\t(e)\tcarry out tests;\n\t(f)\ttake photographs or films or make audio or audiovisual records;\n\t(g)\tif the officer suspects on reasonable grounds that an offence against this Act has been committed, seize and remove from the premises anything that the officer has reasonable cause to suspect affords evidence of the offence;\n\t(h)\tgive such directions as are reasonably necessary for, or incidental to, the effective exercise of the officer's powers under this section.\n\t(3)\tNothing in this section authorises a police officer to conduct or require an intimate search, an intrusive search or an intimate intrusive search of a person.\n\t(4)\tA police officer may, in exercising powers under this section, use a detection dog, a metal detector or an electronic detection system.\n\t(5)\tNothing in this section limits any powers a police officer may have under the Firearms Act 1977, the Explosives Act 1936, the Summary Offences Act 1953 or any other Act or law.\n\t(6)\tIn this section—\ndetection dog means a dog that has completed training of a kind approved by the Commissioner of Police for the purpose of detecting the presence of firearms or explosive;\nelectronic detection system means—\n\t(a)\tan electronic device of a kind approved by the Commissioner of Police; or\n\t(b)\ta system, of a kind approved by the Commissioner of Police, that involves the use of an electronic device,\nfor the purpose of detecting the presence of firearms or explosive;\nintimate intrusive search means an intrusive search of the rectum or vagina;\nintimate search means a search of the body that involves exposure of, or contact with the skin of, the genital or anal area, the buttocks or, in the case of a female, the breasts, and includes an intimate intrusive search;\nintrusive search means an internal search involving the introduction of anything into a bodily orifice.\nPart 7—Miscellaneous\n23—Exemptions\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, grant exemptions from this Act or specified provisions of this Act—\n\t(a)\tto a person, or persons of a class, specified in the notice; or\n\t(b)\tin relation to tattooing services, or tattooing services of a class, specified in the notice.\n\t(2)\tAn exemption under subsection (1) may be granted by the Minister on conditions specified by the Minister.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister may, at any time, by further notice in the Gazette—\n\t(a)\tvary or revoke an exemption; or\n\t(b)\tvary or revoke a condition of an exemption, or impose a new condition,\non any grounds the Minister thinks fit.\n\t(4)\tBefore granting an exemption, or varying or revoking an exemption or condition of an exemption, the Minister must consult with the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and the Commissioner of Police.\n24—False or misleading information\nA person must not make a statement that is false or misleading in a material particular (whether by reason of the inclusion or omission of any particular) in any information provided, or record kept, under this Act.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$100 000 or imprisonment for 1 year; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$250 000.\n25—Commissioner of Police may provide information to Commissioner for Consumer Affairs\nWithout limiting any other Act or law that requires or authorises the Commissioner of Police to disclose information, the Commissioner of Police may disclose to the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs any information on any matter relevant to the operation or enforcement of this Act.\n26—Statutory declaration\nIf a person is required to provide information to the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs may require the information to be verified by statutory declaration and, in that event, the person will not be taken to have provided the information as required unless it has been so verified.\n27—Offences by bodies corporate\n\t(1)\tIf a body corporate is guilty of an offence against this Act, each director of the body corporate is guilty of an offence and liable to the same penalty as is prescribed for the principal offence unless the director proves that he or she could not by the exercise of due diligence have prevented the commission of the offence.\n\t(2)\tThe regulations may make further provision in relation to the criminal liability of a director of a body corporate that is guilty of an offence against the regulations.\n28—Service\n\t(1)\tA notice or document required or authorised to be given or sent to, or served on, a person for the purposes of this Act (other than a disqualification notice under section 8) may—\n\t(a)\tbe given to the person personally; or\n\t(b)\tbe posted in an envelope addressed to the person at the person's last known nominated contact, residential, business or (in the case of a corporation) registered address; or\n\t(c)\tbe left for the person at the person's last known nominated contact, residential, business or (in the case of a corporation) registered address with someone apparently over the age of 16 years; or\n\t(d)\tbe transmitted by fax or email to a fax number or email address provided by the person (in which case the notice or document will be taken to have been given or served at the time of transmission).\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the effect of subsection (1), a notice or other document required or authorised to be given or sent to, or served on, a person for the purposes of this Act may, if the person is a company or registered body within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, be served on the person in accordance with that Act.\n29—Evidentiary provision\n\t(1)\tIn proceedings for an offence against this Act, an allegation in the complaint or information—\n\t(a)\tthat a person named in the complaint or information is or is not, or was or was not on a specified date, disqualified from providing tattooing services; or\n\t(b)\tthat a specified person is or is not, or was or was not on a specified date, an authorised officer,\nwill be accepted as proved in the absence of proof to the contrary.\n\t(2)\tIn any legal proceedings, a document apparently certified by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs to be a notice or other document issued under this Act, or to be a copy of such a notice or other document, will be accepted as such in the absence of proof to the contrary.\n30—Regulations\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may—\n\t(a)\texempt a person or person of a class, or a tattooing service of a class, from the operation of a provision or provisions of this Act;\n\t(b)\trequire persons who provide tattooing services to comply with a specified code of conduct or practice;\n\t(c)\trequire persons who provide tattooing services to lodge periodic returns;\n\t(d)\tincorporate or operate by reference to a specified code or standard as in force at a specified time or as in force from time to time;\n\t(e)\tfix fees to be paid in respect of any matter under this Act and regulate the recovery, refund, waiver or reduction of such fees;\n\t(f)\timpose a penalty, not exceeding a fine of $10 000, for contravention of, or non‑compliance with, a regulation;\n\t(g)\tfix expiation fees, not exceeding $1 000, for alleged offences against the regulations;\n\t(h)\tmake provisions of a savings or transitional nature.\n\t(3)\tThe regulations may—\n\t(a)\tbe of general application or limited application;\n\t(b)\tmake different provision according to the matters or circumstances to which they are expressed to apply;\n\t(c)\tprovide that a specified provision of this Act does not apply, or applies with prescribed variations, to any person, circumstance or situation (or person, circumstance or situation of a specified class) specified by the regulations;\n\t(d)\tprovide that a matter or thing in respect of which regulations may be made is to be determined according to the discretion of a specified person or body.\n\t(4)\tIf a code or standard is referred to or incorporated in the regulations—\n\t(a)\ta copy of the code or standard must be kept available for inspection by members of the public, without charge and during normal office hours, at an office determined by the Minister; and\n\t(b)\tevidence of the contents of the code or standard may be given in any legal proceedings by production of a document apparently certified by the Minister to be a true copy of the code or standard.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tAmendments of this version that are uncommenced are not incorporated into the text.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nLegislation amended by principal Act\nThe Tattooing Industry Control Act 2015 amended the following:\nSecond-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 1996\nPrincipal Act and amendments\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n2015\n44\nTattooing Industry Control Act 2015 \n10.12.2015\n1.7.2016 (Gazette 2.6.2016 p2000)\n2019\n14\nStatutes Amendment (SACAT) Act 2019\n11.7.2019\nPt 29 (ss 175 to 181)—2.12.2019 (Gazette 21.11.2019 p3928)\n2024\n38\nExplosives Act 2024\n19.9.2024\nSch 1 (cll 1 & 2)—uncommenced\nProvisions amended\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nPt 1\n\n\ns 2\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n2.12.2019\ns 3\n\n\nTribunal\ninserted by 14/2019 s 175\n2.12.2019\ns 5\n\n\ns 5(1)\namended by 14/2019 s 176(1)\n2.12.2019\ns 5(3)\namended by 14/2019 s 176(2)\n2.12.2019\nPt 2\n\n\ns 8\n\n\ns 8(5)\namended by 14/2019 s 177\n2.12.2019\nPt 3\n\n\ns 12\n\n\ns 12(2)\namended by 14/2019 s 178\n2.12.2019\nPt 5\n\n\nheading\nsubstituted by 14/2019 s 179\n2.12.2019\ns 17\n\n\ns 17(1) and (2)\nsubstituted by 14/2019 s 180(1)\n2.12.2019\ns 17(3)\nsubstituted by 14/2019 s 180(2)\n2.12.2019\nSch 1\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n2.12.2019\nTransitional etc provisions associated with Act or amendments\nStatutes Amendment (SACAT) Act 2019, Pt 29\n181—Transitional provisions\n\t(1)\tA right of appeal under section 17 of the principal Act in existence before the relevant day (but not exercised before that day) will be exercised as if this Part had been in operation before that right arose, so that the relevant proceedings may be commenced before the Tribunal rather than the Administrative and Disciplinary Division of the District Court.\n\t(2)\tNothing in this section affects any proceedings before the Administrative and Disciplinary Division of the District Court commenced before the relevant day.\n\t(3)\tIn this section—\nprincipal Act means the Tattooing Industry Control Act 2015;\nrelevant day means the day on which this Part comes into operation;\nTribunal means the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Legislative history shows amendments that altered procedural and review arrangements: references to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal were inserted (affecting review of Commissioner and authorised officer decisions), section 5 (criminal intelligence confidentiality and related procedures) and other provisions (eg. s8(5), s12(2), s17) were amended in 2019. Later amendments (Explosives Act 2024) are recorded as uncommenced. These changes adjust administration, confidentiality and review mechanics rather than the Act's core regulatory purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Broad, inclusive definition of 'providing tattooing services' covering natural persons, bodies corporate, directors and suppliers","Strong administrative discretion to disqualify individuals (including permanent disqualification) and to issue directions and exemptions","Confidential 'criminal intelligence' carve‑out that limits disclosure of grounds and can restrict written reasons and open review","Extensive enforcement powers for authorised officers and police (entry, search, seizure, retention of records, random weapon/explosive searches and drug detection)","Severe penalties (imprisonment and high monetary fines) for individuals and corporations and derivative liability for directors","Detailed notification, record‑keeping and information‑production obligations with criminal penalties and statutory declaration verification powers","Interlocking operation with other statutes (Serious & Organised Crime controls, Controlled Substances Act, Firearms and Explosives law) increasing legal interaction and compliance complexity","Evidentiary presumptions and limited delegation rules (eg. police classification of criminal intelligence) that affect procedural fairness and review pathways"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates a regulatory regime for tattooing in South Australia: it defines who counts as a provider (including tattooists, their employers, suppliers and corporate directors), requires notifications and record‑keeping, and gives the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and authorised officers power to disqualify people, issue directions and enforce compliance while police have search, seizure and testing powers.\n\nProviders pay the compliance and reporting costs and face criminal penalties for breaches; the Commissioner and police make eligibility and enforcement decisions, and affected persons may seek review at the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal."},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope assessment cannot be performed — the full text of the Act, including any amendments or explanatory materials, was not accessible. No comparison between original intent and current operation can be made."},"complexity_factors":["No actual legislative text was retrievable — the source URL returned a 404 Page Not Found error","Analysis is impossible without the substantive content of the Act","Complexity score of 1 reflects the absence of analysable material, not the inherent complexity of the Act itself (which may rate considerably higher)"],"plain_english_summary":"This South Australian Act governs the tattooing industry: who may operate tattoo businesses and staff them, likely imposes licensing and background checks, sets premises hygiene/safety and age rules, and responds to historic concerns about outlaw motorcycle gang links. It directly affects parlour owners, workers and customers by defining legal obligations and access. Check the current text on the SA Legislation website for precise requirements."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears to remain within its original scope of regulating the tattooing industry to prevent criminal infiltration. The amendments shown in the legislative history are minor administrative updates (transferring appeals from the District Court to SACAT in 2019, and a pending reference update to the Explosives Act 2024). There is no evidence of significant scope creep beyond the original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping definitions of disqualification (automatic under s.7 vs discretionary under s.8)","Complex definition of 'close associate' spanning family, household, business partnerships and control relationships (s.3(3))","Nested exceptions and limitations on police powers (e.g., residential entry restrictions in s.19(2) with three specific exceptions)","Cross-references to at least 6 other Acts (Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008, Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935, Fair Trading Act 1987, Controlled Substances Act 1984, Firearms Act 1977, Explosives Act 1936, Summary Offences Act 1953, Corporations Act 2001)","Special criminal intelligence provisions (s.5) creating procedural exceptions to normal natural justice requirements","Detailed procedural requirements for notices, service, and review with specific timeframes (28 days, 90 days, 14 days)","Body corporate liability attaching to directors with due diligence defence (s.27)","Multiple penalty tiers depending on whether offender is natural person or body corporate"],"plain_english_summary":"This South Australian law regulates the tattooing industry to keep organised crime out. It requires tattoo businesses and workers to register with the government, bans people with criminal gang connections from working in the industry, and gives police and consumer affairs officers broad powers to inspect premises, search for drugs and weapons, and disqualify problematic operators.\n\n**Key things the law does:**\n\n- **Bans criminals from tattooing**: People who are members of criminal organisations (outlaw motorcycle gangs etc.), or who are close associates of members, are automatically and permanently banned from providing tattooing services. Companies with disqualified directors are also banned.\n\n- **Registration requirements**: Anyone starting a tattoo business must notify the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs 90 days in advance, providing details of owners, directors, employees and premises. Existing businesses had to register within 28 days of the law starting. Workers must also notify the Commissioner within 28 days of starting employment.\n\n- **Disqualification powers**: The Commissioner can disqualify people from the industry for up to 10 years if they have recent criminal gang associations, certain criminal convictions, or if allowing them to operate would risk public safety.\n\n- **Police powers**: Police can conduct random drug detection, weapon searches and explosive searches at tattoo premises without a warrant. They can also detain people for up to 2 hours to serve disqualification notices.\n\n- **Strict record keeping**: Businesses must keep records for at least 2 years and provide information when requested.\n\n- **Offences and penalties**: Operating while disqualified carries up to 4 years prison. Allowing a disqualified person to work in your shop carries the same penalty. Having guns or explosives on tattoo premises carries 2 years prison. False information or obstructing officers also carries heavy fines.\n\n- **Review rights**: People can appeal decisions to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).\n\n**Why it matters**: This law treats tattoo parlours as high-risk businesses vulnerable to organised crime infiltration. It creates a licensing-style regime without calling it a licence, using disqualification and registration instead. It significantly expands police search powers in tattoo premises compared to ordinary businesses."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/tattooing-industry-control-act-2015","history":"/api/acts/tattooing-industry-control-act-2015/history","analysis":"/api/acts/tattooing-industry-control-act-2015/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/tattooing-industry-control-act-2015/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/tattooing-industry-control-act-2015/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/tattooing-industry-control-act-2015/documents"}}