Part 1 Preliminary

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act

1 Name of Act

This Act is the Tattoo Industry Act 2012.

s 1: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[1].

2 Commencement

2 Commencement

(1) This Act commences on the date of assent to this Act, except as provided by subsection (2).

(2) Part 2 commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

3 Definitions

3 Definitions

(1) In this Act—

approved means approved by the Commissioner.

authorised officer means any of the following—

(a) a police officer,

(b) a member of the NSW Police Force, other than a police officer, who is authorised by the Commissioner in writing to exercise the functions of an authorised officer under this Act,

(c) any other person (or person belonging to a class of persons) prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of the provision in which the expression is used or generally.

body art tattooing business means a business involving the carrying out of body art tattooing procedures (whether or not in combination with other tattooing procedures or with other activities).

body art tattooing procedure means a tattooing procedure performed for decorative purposes, but does not include a cosmetic tattooing procedure.

body art tattooist means an individual who performs body art tattooing procedures.

close associate—see section 4.

closure order, in relation to premises, means an order made under section 28 or 29.

Commissioner means the Commissioner of Police.

controlled member of a declared organisation has the same meaning as in the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012.

cosmetic tattooing procedure means any of the following—

(a) a tattooing procedure performed for the purpose of providing the individual on whom it is performed with an eyeliner, eyebrows or any other make up effect on a permanent basis,

(b) a tattooing procedure performed by a medical practitioner or for a medical reason (for example, to hide, disguise or correct a medical condition or a post-operative outcome),

(c) any tattooing procedure performed for any other purpose, or in any other circumstances, prescribed by the regulations.

disqualifying offence means an offence prescribed by the regulations to be a disqualifying offence for—

(a) all licences and permits, or

(b) a type of licence or permit.

employ includes engage under a contract for services or as an apprentice.

function includes a power, authority or duty, and exercise a function includes perform a duty.

interim closure order, in relation to premises, means an order made under section 28.

licence means a licence under this Act.

licence number, for a licence, means the number included in the licence under section 18.

licensed premises, in relation to a master licence, means the premises to which the licence relates.

licensee means the holder of a licence.

master licence—see section 9.

member, of a prescribed criminal organisation, includes the following—

(a) a director or an officer of the organisation,

(b) an associate member or prospective member, however described, of the organisation,

(c) a person who identifies in some way with the organisation, including by wearing or carrying clothing, jewellery or an accessory displaying—

(i) the colours, club patch, insignia or image of a prescribed criminal organisation, or

(ii) an image, symbol, abbreviation, acronym or other form of writing that indicates membership of, or an association with, a prescribed criminal organisation,

(d) a person who is treated by the organisation, or persons who belong to the organisation in some way, as if the person belongs to the organisation.

permanent Australian resident means a person resident in Australia whose continued presence in Australia is not subject to a limitation as to time imposed by or in accordance with law.

permit means a permit under this Act or the regulations.

permit number, for a visiting tattooist permit, means the permit number included in the permit under section 26D.

prescribed criminal organisation—see section 4A.

serious criminal offence means an offence committed in New South Wales that is punishable by imprisonment for 2 years or more or an offence committed elsewhere that, if it had been committed in New South Wales, would be an offence so punishable.

staff member, in relation to premises, means an individual employed to work at those premises.

tattooing procedure means any procedure involving the making of a permanent mark on or in the skin of a person by means of ink, dye or any other colouring agent.

tattooist licence—see section 9.

visiting tattooist permit—see section 26A(1).

Note.

The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.

(2) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the circumstances in which the performing of a tattooing procedure is taken (or is not taken) to be for medical reasons for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of cosmetic tattooing procedure in subsection (1).

(3) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.

s 3: Am 2014 No 88, Sch 1.29 [2]; 2016 No 27, Sch 2.50 [2]; 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [1]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[2]–[6]; 2025 No 48, Sch 3.13.

4 Meaning of “close associate”

4 Meaning of “close associate”

(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is a close associate of an applicant for a licence or a licensee if the person—

(a) holds or will hold any relevant financial interest, or is or will be entitled to exercise any relevant power (whether in the person’s own right or on behalf of any other person), in the business of the applicant or licensee that is or will be carried on under the authority of the licence, and by virtue of that interest or power is or will be able (in the opinion of the Commissioner) to exercise a significant influence over or with respect to the management or operation of that business, or

(b) holds or will hold any relevant position, whether in the person’s own right or on behalf of any other person, in the business of the applicant or licensee that is or will be carried on under the authority of the licence, or

(c) is or will be engaged as a contractor or employed in the business of the applicant or licensee that is or will be carried on under the authority of the licence.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a financial institution is not a close associate by reason only of having a relevant financial interest in relation to a business.

(3) The provisions of this section extend to relevant financial interests and relevant powers even if those interests and powers are not payable, exercisable or otherwise enforceable as a matter of law or equity, but are nevertheless payable, exercisable or otherwise enforceable as a matter of fact.

(4) In this section—

relevant financial interest, in relation to a business, means—

(a) any share in the capital of the business, or

(b) any entitlement to receive any income derived from the business, or to receive any other financial benefit or financial advantage from the carrying on of the business, whether the entitlement arises at law or in equity or otherwise, or

(c) any entitlement to receive any rent, profit or other income in connection with the use or occupation of premises on which the business is or is to be carried on (such as, for example, an entitlement of the owner of the premises at which the business is carried on to receive rent as lessor of the premises).

relevant position means—

(a) the position of director, manager or secretary, or

(b) any other position, however designated, if it is an executive position.

relevant power means any power, whether exercisable by voting or otherwise and whether exercisable alone or in association with others—

(a) to participate in any directorial, managerial or executive decision, or

(b) to elect or appoint any person to any relevant position.

s 4: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [1].

4A Prescribed criminal organisations

4A Prescribed criminal organisations

(1) The regulations may prescribe an incorporated body or unincorporated group, however structured, to be a prescribed criminal organisation.

(2) The body or group may be prescribed whether or not the body or group is—

(a) based outside New South Wales, or

(b) consists of persons who are not ordinarily resident in New South Wales.

(3) The Minister must consider the advice of the Commissioner before recommending the making of a regulation that prescribes a body or group to be a prescribed criminal organisation.

s 4A: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[7].

5 Relationship of Act to other laws

5 Relationship of Act to other laws

Nothing in this Act limits any requirement imposed by or under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the Public Health Act 2010 or any other Act or law with respect to the carrying out of tattooing procedures or the carrying on of body art tattooing businesses.

Part 2 Offences relating to unlicensed body art tattooing

Part 2 Offences relating to unlicensed body art tattooing

6 Body art tattooing businesses to be licensed

6 Body art tattooing businesses to be licensed

(1) A person must not carry on a body art tattooing business (whether on the person’s own behalf or on behalf of another person) at any premises unless the person is authorised to do so by a master licence.

Maximum penalty—

(a) in the case of a corporation—100 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 100 penalty units for each day the offence continues, and

(b) in any other case—50 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 50 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(2) If a body art tattooing business is carried on (or is proposed to be carried on) at more than one set of premises, a separate master licence is required to be held by a person for each set of premises for the purposes of subsection (1).

(3) A person that requires, allows or permits a body art tattooing business to be carried on at premises on the person’s behalf in contravention of subsection (1) is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—

(a) in the case of a corporation—100 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 100 penalty units for each day the offence continues, and

(b) in any other case—50 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 50 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person carrying on a body art tattooing business—

(a) during the period of 7 business days after the death of a licensee who holds a master licence for the premises and, if a new application for a master licence is made during that period, until that application is determined by the Commissioner, or

(b) during the period of 7 business days after a licensee who holds a master licence for the premises becomes unable to carry on the business because he or she is incapacitated and, if a new application is made by another person for a master licence for the premises during that period, until that application is determined by the Commissioner, or

(c) in such other circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(5) It is a defence in proceedings for an offence against subsection (3) if the person satisfies the court that the person did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, that the body art tattooing business was not being carried on under the authority of a master licence.

s 6: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [6] [8].

7 Body art tattooists to be licensed

7 Body art tattooists to be licensed

(1) An individual must not perform any body art tattooing procedure for fee or reward unless authorised to do so by a tattooist licence.

Maximum penalty—

(a) for a first offence, 50 penalty units, and

(b) for a second or subsequent offence, 100 penalty units.

(1A) An individual must not perform any body art tattooing procedure (whether or not for fee or reward) at premises in respect of which a master licence is in force unless authorised to do so by a tattooist licence.

Maximum penalty—

(a) for a first offence, 50 penalty units, and

(b) for a second or subsequent offence, 100 penalty units.

(1B) An individual is not liable to be convicted of an offence under both subsections (1) and (1A) in respect of essentially the same act or omission.

(2) Subsections (1) and (1A) do not apply to an individual who performs a body art tattooing procedure—

(a) if the individual carries out the procedure as a self-employed individual at premises for which the individual holds a master licence, or

(a1) if the individual performs the procedure under a visiting tattooist permit, or

(b) in such other circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations.

s 7: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [2] [3]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[6] [9].

8 Employed body art tattooists to be licensed or hold permit

8 Employed body art tattooists to be licensed or hold permit

(1) A person must not employ an individual to work as a body art tattooist unless the individual is the holder of a tattooist licence or a visiting tattooist permit.

Maximum penalty—

(a) in the case of a corporation—100 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 100 penalty units for each day the offence continues, and

(b) in any other case—50 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 50 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(2) It is a defence in proceedings for an offence against this section if the person satisfies the court that the person did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, that the individual employed to work as a body art tattooist was unlicensed or did not hold a visiting tattooist permit.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the employment of an individual to work as a body art tattooist in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations.

s 8: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[10]–[12].

8A Advertising body art tattooing

8A Advertising body art tattooing

(1) A person must not advertise that the person carries on a body art tattooing business at premises unless the person is the holder of a master licence.

Maximum penalty—

(a) for a corporation—100 penalty units, or

(b) for an individual—50 penalty units.

(2) The holder of a master licence must ensure an advertisement for the holder’s body art tattooing business includes the licence number for the master licence to which the advertisement relates.

Maximum penalty—

(a) for a corporation—100 penalty units, or

(b) for an individual—50 penalty units.

(3) A person must not advertise that the person performs, or is willing to perform, a body art tattooing procedure referred to in the advertisement unless the person is—

(a) an individual who carries out the procedure as a self-employed individual at premises for which the individual holds a master licence, or

(b) the holder of—

(i) a tattooist licence, or

(ii) a permit.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(4) An individual who carries out a body art tattooing procedure as a self-employed individual must ensure that an advertisement for a body art tattooing procedure performed by the individual contains the licence number for the master licence to which the advertisement relates.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(5) The holder of a tattooist licence or the holder of a permit must ensure an advertisement for a body art tattooing procedure performed by the holder contains the licence number or permit number for the holder to whom the advertisement relates.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(6) In this section—

advertisement includes a reference to any form of notice or statement in the nature of an advertisement.

Example of an advertisement—

a notice or statement on a social media platform that takes the nature of an advertisement about the performance of a body art tattooing procedure

s 8A: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[13].

Part 3 Licensing scheme

Part 3 Licensing scheme

Division 1 General

Division 1 General

9 Types of licences and authorisation conferred by licence

9 Types of licences and authorisation conferred by licence

(1) The following kinds of licence may be granted and held under this Act—

(a) a master licence,

(b) a tattooist licence.

(2) A master licence authorises the licensee to carry on a body art tattooing business (whether on his or her own behalf or on behalf of another person) at the premises specified in the licence in accordance with this Act and the conditions of the licence.

(3) A tattooist licence authorises the licensee to perform body art tattooing procedures in accordance with this Act and the conditions of the licence.

(4) The authorisation conferred by a licence is subject to this Act and the regulations.

s 9: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[6] [14].

10 Licence conditions—general provisions

10 Licence conditions—general provisions

(1) A licence is subject to—

(a) such conditions as may be imposed by the Commissioner under this Act (whether at the time the licence is granted or at any later time), and

(b) such conditions as are imposed by this Act or prescribed by the regulations.

(2) Subject to subsection (4), the Commissioner may impose, vary or revoke conditions on a licence for such reasons, and in such circumstances, as the Commissioner considers appropriate or necessary.

(3) The Commissioner may—

(a) impose a condition at the time the licence is granted by specifying it on the licence that is issued, and

(b) impose, vary or revoke conditions on a licence after it is granted by written notice served on the licensee.

(4) Nothing in this section authorises the Commissioner—

(a) to impose a condition that is inconsistent with a condition imposed by this Act or the regulations, or

(b) to vary or revoke a condition imposed by this Act or the regulations.

(5) A licensee must comply with any conditions to which the licence is subject.

Maximum penalty (subsection (5)): 20 penalty units.

s 10: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3].

Division 2 Licence and permit applications and granting of licences

Division 2 Licence and permit applications and granting of licences

pt 3, div 2, hdg: Subst 2022 No 10, Sch 1[15].

11 Licence applications

11 Licence applications

(1) An application for a licence is to be made to the Commissioner.

(2) An application for a licence may only be made by an individual.

Note.

See Part 5A of the Crimes Act 1900 for offences with respect to the making of false and misleading applications, information and documentation.

(3) An application for a master licence in connection with a body art tattooing business that is owned or operated by or on behalf of a corporation, partnership or trust must be made by an individual nominated by the corporation, partners or trustees to be the premises manager for the purposes of carrying on that business at the premises for which the licence is sought.

(4) An application for a licence may not be made by—

(a) an individual who is under the age of 18 years, or

(b) an individual who is not an Australian citizen or a permanent Australian resident, or

(c) an individual who is a controlled member of a declared organisation.

Note.

Controlled members are prohibited from applying for licences—see section 27 of the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012.

(5) An application for a licence must—

(a) be in the approved form and manner, and

(b) state the full name and residential address of the applicant, and

(b1) in addition to the statement required under section 12, be accompanied by copies of 3 forms of personal identification of an approved kind for each individual identified as a close associate in that statement, and

(c) in the case of a master licence—

(i) specify the address of the proposed licensed premises, and

(ii) specify the names and residential addresses of each staff member employed (or, if no staff members are currently employed, proposed to be employed) to work at the proposed licensed premises, and

(iii) if the business to which the application relates is owned or operated by or on behalf of a corporation, partnership or trust—be accompanied by evidence in the approved form and manner that the applicant has been nominated by the corporation, partners or trustees to be the premises manager, and

(d) in the case of a tattooist licence—be accompanied by evidence in the approved form and manner concerning previous, existing or impending employment as a body art tattooist (including employment as an apprentice), and

(e) be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the regulations and such other information and particulars as may be prescribed by the regulations, and

(f) comply with such other requirements as may be prescribed by the regulations.

Note.

See also section 12 for the requirement to provide a statement as to close associates of an applicant for a master licence.

(6) If, before an application for a licence is determined by the Commissioner, a change occurs in the information provided in, or in connection with, the application (including any information provided in accordance with this subsection), the applicant must within 7 business days of the change give written notice to the Commissioner of the particulars of the change.

Maximum penalty (subsection (6)): 20 penalty units.

(7) Section 12 of the Criminal Records Act 1991 does not apply in relation to an application for a licence.

s 11: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [4]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [6] [16].

12 Statement as to close associates of applicant for master licence

12 Statement as to close associates of applicant for master licence

(1) An application for a master licence or for the renewal of a master licence must be accompanied by a written statement in the approved form, made by the applicant, specifying—

(a) that the applicant has made all reasonable inquiries to ascertain the information required to complete the statement, and

(b) the following information about any close associates of the applicant—

(i) if the associate is an individual—the individual’s name and date of birth,

(ii) if the associate is a proprietary company—the name and ACN of the company and the names of its directors and shareholders,

(iii) if the associate is any other kind of corporation—the name of the corporation, its ACN or ARBN (if any) and the names of the directors or members of its governing body,

(iv) if the associate is a partnership—the trading name of the partnership and the names of the partners (including any silent partners),

(v) if the associate is a trust—the names of the trustee or trustees and, if a trustee is a proprietary company or other corporation, the information referred to in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) concerning its management and shareholders.

(2) The regulations may provide for exceptions to this section.

(3) In this section—

ACN, ARBN and proprietary company have the same meanings as they have in the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth.

s 12: Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [2]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[6] [8].

13 Fingerprinting and palm printing of applicants

13 Fingerprinting and palm printing of applicants

(1) An applicant for a licence must consent to having his or her fingerprints and palm prints taken by a police officer in order to confirm the applicant’s identity.

(2) The Commissioner must refuse to determine an application for a licence if the applicant refuses to be fingerprinted and palm printed.

(3) Any fingerprints or palm prints obtained from an applicant in accordance with this section who is granted a licence may be used by the Commissioner for any purpose that the Commissioner sees fit.

(4) A person who formerly held a licence, but is not currently a licensee, may apply to the Commissioner to have any of his or her fingerprints or palm prints obtained in accordance with this section and any copies of them destroyed.

(5) The Commissioner may grant or refuse an application under subsection (4) as the Commissioner sees fit.

(6) If an application for a licence is withdrawn or refused, the Commissioner is to ensure that any fingerprints or palm prints that are obtained in accordance with this section, and any copies of them, are destroyed as soon as is practicable after the application is withdrawn or refused.

(7) As soon as practicable after any fingerprints or palm prints (or any copies of them) are destroyed in accordance with subsection (6), the Commissioner is to notify the applicant in writing that those fingerprints or palm prints (and those copies, if any) have been destroyed.

s 13: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3].

13A Renewal of licence

13A Renewal of licence

(1) An application for the renewal of a licence may be made to the Commissioner by the licensee.

(2) The application must—

(a) be in the approved form and manner, and

(b) be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the regulations, and

(c) in addition to the statement required under section 12, be accompanied by copies of 3 forms of personal identification of an approved kind for each individual identified as a close associate in that statement and who was not identified as such in the statement that accompanied the previous licence or renewal application made by the licensee.

Note.

See sections 14–17 in relation to the grant, conditions and duration of renewed licences.

(3) If an application for the renewal of a licence is received by the Commissioner on or before the date on which the licence is due to expire, the licence is, unless it is suspended for the time being under this or any other Act, taken to continue in force until the application is determined by the Commissioner.

(4) Division 3 applies to an application for renewal of a licence in the same way as it applies to an application for a licence.

(5) A licence may be renewed on more than one occasion.

(6) Section 12 of the Criminal Records Act 1991 does not apply in relation to an application for the renewal of a licence.

s 13A: Ins 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [3]. Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [17].

13B Restoration of licence

13B Restoration of licence

(1) An application for the restoration of a licence must be made—

(a) within 3 months of the expiry of the licence, or

(b) within the further period determined by the Commissioner on the application of the person seeking the restoration of the licence.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) (b), the Commissioner may extend the period within which an application for the restoration of a licence may be made if the Commissioner is satisfied that—

(a) in a case where the applicant failed to apply for renewal before the licence expired—the failure to apply for renewal of the licence before it expired was due to inadvertence, or

(b) it is just and equitable to restore the licence.

(3) A licence that has been surrendered or cancelled must not be restored.

(4) An application for the restoration of a licence must—

(a) be made in the approved form (if any), and

(b) be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the regulations, and

(c) nominate a term of duration for the licence.

(5) A licence restored at any time is taken to have been restored from the day on which the licence expired.

(6) Subject to this section, this Act applies to an application for the restoration of a licence in the same way as it applies to an application for a licence.

s 13B: Ins 2018 No 65, Sch 2.14[1]. Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3].

14 Investigations, inquiries and determinations in relation to licence or permit applications

14 Investigations, inquiries and determinations in relation to licence or permit applications

If the Commissioner receives an application for a licence or permit, or for the renewal or restoration of a licence, the Commissioner may carry out the investigations or inquiries in relation to the application the Commissioner considers necessary for a proper consideration of the application, including in relation to the following matters—

(a) whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence or permit,

(b) whether a close associate of the applicant is a fit and proper person,

(c) whether it would be contrary to the public interest for—

(i) the licence to be granted, renewed or restored, or

(ii) the permit to be granted,

(d) whether the applicant has, within the period of 10 years before the application was made, been convicted in New South Wales or elsewhere, of a disqualifying offence for the type of licence or permit applied for, whether or not the offence is an offence under New South Wales law,

(e) whether the applicant—

(i) is a member of a prescribed criminal organisation, or

(ii) was a member of a prescribed criminal organisation in the 12 months before making the application.

s 14: Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [4]–[9]. Subst 2022 No 10, Sch 1[18].

15 Commissioner may require further information

15 Commissioner may require further information

(1) The Commissioner may, by written notice served on the person concerned, require an applicant for a licence or for the renewal or restoration of a licence, or a close associate of the applicant, to do one or more of the following things—

(a) provide, in accordance with directions in the notice, such information as, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is relevant to the investigation of the application and is specified in the notice,

(b) produce, in accordance with directions in the notice, such records as, in the opinion of the Commissioner, are relevant to the investigation of the application and permit examination of the records, the taking of extracts from them and the making of copies of them,

(c) authorise a person described in the notice to comply with a requirement of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) or (b),

(d) give to the Commissioner such authorisations and consents as the Commissioner requires for the purpose of enabling the Commissioner to obtain information (including financial and other confidential information) from other persons concerning the applicant and the applicant’s associates.

(2) A person who complies with a requirement of a notice under this section does not on that account incur a liability to another person.

(3) The Commissioner may refuse to determine an application if a requirement made under this section in relation to the application is not complied with.

s 15: Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [10]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[19]–[24].

16 Decision of Commissioner in relation to licence applications

16 Decision of Commissioner in relation to licence applications

(1) The Commissioner may, after considering an application for a licence or for the renewal or restoration of a licence—

(a) grant, renew or restore the licence, or

(b) refuse to grant, renew or restore the licence.

(2) The Commissioner may, in such circumstances as the Commissioner considers appropriate, treat an application for a licence or for the renewal or restoration of a licence as having been withdrawn.

(3) The Commissioner must not grant, renew or restore a licence if—

(a) the Commissioner is satisfied the application for the licence or for the renewal or restoration of the licence was not properly made, or

(b) the applicant is a controlled member of a declared organisation, or

Note—

Controlled members are prohibited from applying for licences—see the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012, section 27.

(c) the Commissioner is satisfied the applicant is not a fit and proper person to be granted a licence, or to have a licence renewed or restored, or

(d) the Commissioner is satisfied a close associate of the applicant is not a fit and proper person, or

(e) the Commissioner is satisfied it would be contrary to the public interest for the applicant to be granted a licence, or have a licence renewed or restored, or

(f) the Commissioner is satisfied the applicant had, within the period of 10 years before the application was made, been convicted in New South Wales or elsewhere of a disqualifying offence for the type of licence applied for, whether or not the offence is an offence under New South Wales law, or

(g) the Commissioner is satisfied the applicant—

(i) is a member of a prescribed criminal organisation, or

(ii) was a member of a prescribed criminal organisation in the 12 months before the application was made.

(4) Without limiting subsection (1), the Commissioner may refuse to grant, renew or restore a master licence if the Commissioner is satisfied that—

(a) a prohibition order under Part 3 of the Public Health Act 2010 in connection with the carrying out of skin penetration procedures is in force in respect of the proposed licensed premises or the licensed premises, or

(b) development consent is required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (or approval under Part 3A or Part 5.1 of that Act is required) to use the proposed licensed premises or the licensed premises for the purposes of carrying on the body art tattooing business and such consent or approval has been refused or is not in force.

(5) The regulations may also provide mandatory or discretionary grounds for refusing the granting, renewal or restoration of a licence.

(6) A licence confers no right of property and is incapable of being transferred, assigned or mortgaged, charged or otherwise encumbered.

Note.

A non-transferable licence is not personal property for the purposes of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 of the Commonwealth. See the definitions of licence and personal property in section 10 of that Act.

(7) (Repealed)

s 16: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [ 5]; 2013 No 111, Sch 3.31; 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [11]–[16]; 2018 No 65, Sch 2.14[2]–[4]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [6] [25] [26].

17 Duration of licence

17 Duration of licence

(1) A licence (other than a renewed licence) comes into force on the date specified in the licence.

(2) A renewed licence comes into force on the date following the expiry date of the licence it renews.

(3) An application for a licence or renewal of a licence is to nominate one of the following terms of duration for the licence (the nominated term)—

(a) 1 year,

(b) 3 years,

(c) 5 years.

(3A) The Commissioner may grant or renew a licence for the nominated term or a shorter term than the nominated term if satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.

Note.

A licence may cease to be in force by operation of section 27 of the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012.

(3B) If an application for renewal of a licence has been made but the application is not finally determined by the Commissioner before the expiry of the licence, the licence (if not suspended or sooner cancelled) continues in force until the application is finally determined.

(3C) If a licence is granted or renewed for a shorter term than the nominated term, the Commissioner is to refund to the applicant the difference between the fee for the nominated term and the fee for the term that was granted.

(4) A licence suspended under this or any other Act is taken not to be in force for the purposes of this Act during the period of the suspension. However, the suspension of a licence does not affect the term of the licence.

(5) Subsections (3A)–(3C) do not affect the term of any licence granted under this Act and in force immediately before the amendment of this section by the Fair Trading Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2018.

s 17: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [6] [7]; 2014 No 88, Sch 1.29 [3]. Subst 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [17]. Am 2018 No 65, Sch 2.14[5] [6]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3].

18 Form of licence

18 Form of licence

A licence is to be in the approved form and contain a licence number.

s 18: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[27].

Division 3 Investigations, inquiries and determinations for existing licensees

Division 3 Investigations, inquiries and determinations for existing licensees

pt 3, div 3, hdg: Subst 2022 No 10, Sch 1[28].

19 Commissioner may investigate, inquire and make determinations about licensees or permit holders

19 Commissioner may investigate, inquire and make determinations about licensees or permit holders

The Commissioner may investigate, inquire into and determine one or more of the following matters—

(a) whether a licensee or permit holder continues to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence or permit,

(b) whether a close associate of a licensee or permit holder continues to be a fit and proper person,

(c) whether it would be contrary to the public interest for a licensee or permit holder to continue to hold the licence or permit,

(d) whether a licensee or permit holder has been convicted of a disqualifying offence,

(e) whether a licensee or permit holder—

(i) is a member of a prescribed criminal organisation, or

(ii) was a member of a prescribed criminal organisation in the period of 12 months before the investigation or inquiry.

s 19: Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [18]–[21]. Subst 2022 No 10, Sch 1[29].

19A Commissioner may require further information

19A Commissioner may require further information

(1) For the purpose of an investigation by the Commissioner in relation to any of the matters referred to in section 19, the Commissioner may, by notice in writing served on the licensee or close associate concerned, require the licensee or close associate to do one or more of the following things—

(a) provide, in accordance with directions in the notice, such information as, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is relevant to the investigation specified in the notice,

(b) produce, in accordance with directions in the notice, such records as, in the opinion of the Commissioner, are relevant to the investigation and permit examination of the records, the taking of extracts from them and the making of copies of them,

(c) authorise a person described in the notice to comply with a requirement of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) or (b),

(d) give to the Commissioner such authorisations and consents as the Commissioner requires for the purpose of enabling the Commissioner to obtain information (including financial and other confidential information) relevant to the investigation from other persons concerning the licensee and close associates of the licensee.

(2) A person who complies with a requirement of a notice under this section does not on that account incur a liability to another person.

s 19A: Ins 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [8]. Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [22]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[23] [30].

Division 3A Investigations, inquiries and determinations—administration

Division 3A Investigations, inquiries and determinations—administration

pt 3, div 3A, hdg: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[31].

19B Information for determinations

19B Information for determinations

(1) This section applies for the purpose of making a determination on a matter referred to in section 14 or 19.

(2) The Commissioner may have regard to a criminal intelligence report or other criminal information held in relation to the applicant, licensee or permit holder, or a close associate of the applicant, licensee or permit holder, that—

(a) is relevant to the business or procedures proposed to be carried on or performed, or carried on or performed, under the licence or permit, or

(b) causes the Commissioner to conclude improper conduct is likely to occur if—

(i) the applicant were granted the licence or permit, or

(ii) the licensee or permit holder continued to hold the licence or permit, or

(c) causes the Commissioner to lack confidence that improper conduct will not occur if—

(i) the applicant were granted the licence or permit, or

(ii) the licensee or permit holder continued to hold the licence or permit.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the Commissioner may consider the following—

(a) information relating to spent convictions, despite anything to the contrary in the Criminal Records Act 1991,

(b) information relating to criminal charges, whether or not heard, proven, dismissed, withdrawn or discharged,

(c) information relating to offences, despite anything to the contrary in the Crimes Act 1900, section 579.

s 19B: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[31].

20 Disclosure of criminal intelligence information

20 Disclosure of criminal intelligence information

The Commissioner is not, under this Act or another Act or law, required to give reasons for the following, if the giving of the reasons would disclose the existence or content of a criminal intelligence report or other criminal information—

(a) not granting a licence or permit to a person,

(b) refusing to renew or restore a licence to a person,

(c) suspending or cancelling the licence or permit of a person.

s 20: Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [23]–[25]. Subst 2022 No 10, Sch 1[31].

Division 4 Miscellaneous licence conditions

Division 4 Miscellaneous licence conditions

pt 3, div 4, hdg: Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [26].

21 Inspection of financial records

21 Inspection of financial records

(1) It is a condition of a master licence that the licensee must ensure that the requirements of this section concerning the financial records used, received or produced in connection with the carrying on of a body art tattooing business at licensed premises (the business financial records) are complied with.

(2) The business financial records must be made available for inspection by an authorised officer at the place at which they are kept at any reasonable time requested by the officer by written notice served on the licensee.

(3) An authorised officer inspecting the business financial records must be permitted to take copies of, or take extracts or make notes from, those records.

(4) In this section—

financial records includes (whether in printed or electronic form)—

(a) invoices, receipts, orders for the payment of money, bills of exchange, cheques, promissory notes and vouchers, and

(b) documents of prime entry, and

(c) working papers and other documents needed to explain—

(i) the methods by which financial statements (such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements) are made up, and

(ii) adjustments to be made in preparing financial statements.

s 21: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[6].

22 Change of licence particulars

22 Change of licence particulars

(1) It is a condition of a licence that the licensee must give written notice to the Commissioner of a change in any of the particulars in respect of the licence (including any change of residential address by the licensee and, in the case of a master licence, any change in the particulars relating to the close associates of the licensee), and of the appropriate new particulars, within 14 business days of the change occurring.

(1A) The notice of a change in the particulars relating to the close associates of the holder of a master licence must be accompanied by copies of 3 forms of personal identification of an approved kind for each individual identified as a close associate in that notice.

(2) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the particulars that are (or are not) required to be included in a notice under subsection (1).

s 22: Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [27]–[30]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [6].

22A Master licence holder not to permit procedures by certain persons on licensed premises

22A Master licence holder not to permit procedures by certain persons on licensed premises

It is a condition of a master licence that the licensee must not permit an individual to perform a body art tattooing procedure at the licensed premises unless the individual is the holder of—

(a) a tattooist licence, or

(b) a visiting tattooist permit.

s 22A: Ins 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [9]. Subst 2022 No 10, Sch 1[32].

23 Changes in staff members

23 Changes in staff members

(1) It is a condition of a master licence that the licensee must, within 20 business days after a change in staff employment, give written notice to the Commissioner of that change.

(2) There is a change in staff employment for the purposes of subsection (1) if—

(a) a new staff member is employed to work at the licensed premises, or

(b) a staff member ceases to be employed to work at the licensed premises.

(3) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the changes in staff employment that are (or are not) required to be included in a notice under subsection (1).

s 23: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [6].

24 Display of licence information

24 Display of licence information

It is a condition of a master licence that the licensee must ensure that a document or information prescribed by the regulations is conspicuously displayed at the licensed premises.

s 24: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [10]. Subst 2022 No 10, Sch 1[33].

Division 5 Suspension and cancellation of licences

Division 5 Suspension and cancellation of licences

25 Suspension of licence

25 Suspension of licence

(1) The Commissioner may, if the Commissioner is satisfied that there may be grounds for cancelling a licence, suspend the licence by serving the licensee with a written notice—

(a) stating that the licence is suspended and (subject to section 20) the reasons for suspending it, and

(b) requesting that the person provide the Commissioner, within the period specified in the notice (being a period of not less than 14 business days from the date the notice is served), with written reasons as to why the licence should not be cancelled, and

(c) stating that the licence will be cancelled unless the person provides the Commissioner with sufficient reasons as to why the licence should not be cancelled, and

(d) stating the period during which the licence is suspended (being a period of no more than 60 days from the date on which the notice is served).

Note.

Section 27 of the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012 provides for the automatic suspension of a licence if an interim control order is made with respect to a licensee.

(2) A licensee must return a licence that has been suspended to the Commissioner in the period (if any) specified by the Commissioner in the notice suspending the licence.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

s 25: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3].

26 Cancellation of licence

26 Cancellation of licence

(1) The Commissioner must cancel a licence if—

(a) the licensee or a close associate of the licensee has failed to comply with a requirement of a notice under section 19A, or

(b) the Commissioner is satisfied that, if the licensee were applying for a new licence, the application would be required to be refused under this Act.

Note.

Section 27 of the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012 provides for the automatic revocation of a licence if an interim control order made with respect to a licensee is confirmed under that Act.

(2) The Commissioner may cancel a licence—

(a) if the Commissioner is satisfied that the licensee has—

(i) supplied information which was (to the licensee’s knowledge) false or misleading in a material particular in, or in connection with, the application for the licence, or

(ii) contravened any provision of this Act or the regulations (whether or not the licensee has been convicted of an offence for the contravention), or

(iii) contravened a condition of the licence, or

(a1) (Repealed)

(b) in such other circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(3) Except in the case of a licence that is cancelled on a ground specified in subsection (1)(b), the Commissioner may not cancel a licence without first—

(a) suspending the licence, and

(b) considering any reasons provided by the licensee under section 25 as to why the licence should not be cancelled.

(4) The Commissioner may cancel a licence by serving the licensee with a written notice stating that the licence is cancelled and (subject to section 20) the reasons for cancelling it.

(5) The cancellation of a licence by such a notice takes effect when the notice is served or on a later date specified in the notice.

(6) The Commissioner may, by serving a further written notice on the licensee, revoke a notice cancelling a licence before the notice takes effect.

(7) A licensee must return a licence that has been cancelled to the Commissioner in the period specified by the Commissioner in the notice cancelling the licence if the licence has not previously been returned.

Maximum penalty (subsection (7)): 20 penalty units.

s 26: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [11]; 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [31]–[33]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [34]–[38].

Division 5A Permits relating to unlicensed body art tattooing

Division 5A Permits relating to unlicensed body art tattooing

pt 3, div 5A: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[39].

26A Visiting tattooist permits

26A Visiting tattooist permits

(1) A permit granted under this Division (a visiting tattooist permit) authorises the permit holder to perform body art tattooing procedures—

(a) under the conditions of the permit, and

(b) for the period stated in the permit.

(2) The conditions of the permit may be—

(a) imposed by the Commissioner, whether at the time the permit is granted or at a later time, or

(b) imposed by this Act, or

(c) prescribed by the regulations.

(3) The regulations may prescribe the maximum period for which a permit may be granted.

s 26A: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[39].

26B Application for visiting tattooist permit

26B Application for visiting tattooist permit

(1) An application for a visiting tattooist permit may only be made by an individual—

(a) who is at least 18 years of age, and

(b) who is not an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident.

(2) The application must—

(a) be made to the Commissioner in the way decided by the Commissioner, and

(b) include information prescribed by the regulations, and

(c) be accompanied by—

(i) documents prescribed by the regulations, and

(ii) the fee prescribed by the regulations, and

(d) comply with other requirements prescribed by the regulations.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the Commissioner may prescribe that a type of information required for an application is to be information specified in a standard or guidelines prescribed by the regulations.

(4) The Commissioner may request further information about the application, prescribed by the regulations, after the application is made.

s 26B: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[39].

26C Decisions about application for visiting tattooist permit

26C Decisions about application for visiting tattooist permit

The Commissioner may decide to grant or refuse to grant an application for a visiting tattooist permit in accordance with the grounds prescribed by the regulations.

s 26C: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[39].

26D Form of permit

26D Form of permit

A permit must be—

(a) in the approved form, and

(b) include a permit number.

s 26D: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[39].

26E Cancelling or suspending a visiting tattooist permit

26E Cancelling or suspending a visiting tattooist permit

(1) The Commissioner may decide, on the Commissioner’s own initiative, to cancel or suspend a visiting tattooist permit.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Commissioner may decide to cancel or suspend a visiting tattooist permit as a result of a determination of a matter referred to in section 19.

s 26E: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[39].

Division 6 Review of decisions

Division 6 Review of decisions

pt 3, div 6, hdg: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[40].

27 Right to seek administrative review from Civil and Administrative Tribunal

27 Right to seek administrative review from Civil and Administrative Tribunal

(1) A person (other than a controlled member of a declared organisation) may apply to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an administrative review under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 of the following decisions—

(a) the refusal or failure by the Commissioner to grant a licence to the person,

(a1) the refusal or failure by the Commissioner to renew a licence granted to the person,

(b) a condition imposed by the Commissioner on a licence granted to the person,

(c) the suspension or cancellation (other than on the ground referred to in section 26(1)(b)) of a licence granted to the person,

(d) the refusal or failure by the Commissioner to grant a visiting tattooist permit to the person,

(e) a condition imposed by the Commissioner on a visiting tattooist permit granted to the person,

(f) the suspension or cancellation of a visiting tattooist permit granted to the person.

(2) For the purposes of this section, an application for the grant or renewal of a licence, or for the grant of a visiting tattooist permit, is taken to have been refused if the licence or permit is not granted, or the licence is not renewed, within 60 days after the application is made under this Act.

Note—

Under the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013, if the Tribunal has made an administrative review decision, for example, when it reviews a decision referred to in subsection (1), a party to the proceedings may appeal to an Appeal Panel of the Tribunal. An appeal on a question of law may then lie to the Supreme Court.

(3) Subsection (4) applies in relation to an application for administrative review of a decision to—

(a) refuse to grant, renew or restore a licence, or

(b) refuse to grant a permit, or

(c) suspend or cancel a licence or permit.

(4) The Civil and Administrative Tribunal, in determining an application for administrative review, and an Appeal Panel of the Tribunal, in determining an internal appeal against the review under the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013—

(a) must ensure that it does not, in the reasons for the decision or otherwise, disclose the existence or content of a criminal intelligence report or other criminal information without the Commissioner’s approval, and

(b) must, to prevent the disclosure of a criminal intelligence report or other criminal information, receive evidence and hear argument in the absence of the following, unless the Commissioner otherwise approves—

(i) the public,

(ii) the applicant for the administrative review,

(iii) the applicant’s representative,

(iv) any other interested party.

Note—

See section 20 for the Commissioner’s obligations in relation to disclosure of criminal intelligence information.

(4A) If the Tribunal considers that information contained in a criminal intelligence report or other criminal information has not been properly identified as such, the Tribunal must ask the Commissioner whether the Commissioner wishes to withdraw the information from consideration by the Tribunal in its determination of an application.

(4B) Information that is withdrawn by the Commissioner must not be—

(a) disclosed to any person, or

(b) taken into consideration by the Tribunal in determining an application.

(5) (Repealed)

s 27: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [12]–[14]; 2013 No 95, Sch 2.141 [1]–[7]; 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [4] [8] [12] [34]–[41]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [41]–[45].

Part 4 Enforcement

Part 4 Enforcement

28 Interim closure of unlicensed or illegal tattoo parlours

28 Interim closure of unlicensed or illegal tattoo parlours

(1) The Commissioner may make an order that specified premises be closed (an interim closure order)—

(a) if the Commissioner is satisfied that a body art tattooing business is being carried on at those premises without the authority of a master licence, or

(b) if the Commissioner reasonably suspects that any serious criminal offences are being committed at the premises.

(2) An interim closure order must be served on the person apparently in charge of the premises (if any) or be posted in a conspicuous place at the entrance to the premises.

(3) An interim closure order takes effect from the time it is so served or posted and has effect for a period of 72 hours, unless sooner repealed or revoked.

(4) More than one interim closure order closing the same premises may not be made under this section in any period of 7 days.

s 28: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[6].

29 Long term closure of tattoo parlours

29 Long term closure of tattoo parlours

(1) The Local Court may, on the application of the Commissioner, order that specified premises be closed for such period or until such time as the Court considers appropriate if the Court is satisfied that—

(a) a body art tattooing business is being carried on at those premises without the authority of a master licence, or

(b) there have been, or there are likely to be, serious criminal offences committed at or in connection with the premises.

(2) An application may be made under this section regardless of whether an interim closure order is (or has been) in force with respect to the premises.

(3) If an interim closure order is in force with respect to premises when an application is made under this section, the Local Court may revoke the order if the Court considers that the order should not have been made or that there are no longer sufficient grounds for the order to continue in force.

s 29: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[6].

30 Body art tattooing business may not be carried on in closed premises

30 Body art tattooing business may not be carried on in closed premises

(1) A person must not, while a closure order is in force with respect to premises—

(a) carry on a body art tattooing business at those premises, or

(b) work as a body art tattooist at those premises.

Maximum penalty—

(a) in the case of a corporation—100 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 100 penalty units for each day the offence continues, and

(b) in any other case—50 penalty units and in addition, in the case of a continuing offence, 50 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(2) It is a defence in proceedings for an offence against this section if the person satisfies the court that the person did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, that a closure order was in force with respect to the premises.

30A Powers of authorised officers to enter premises without warrant

30A Powers of authorised officers to enter premises without warrant

(1) An authorised officer may at any reasonable time enter any licensed premises, or any other premises that the authorised officer reasonably suspects are being used to perform body art tattooing procedures for fee or reward, for the following purposes—

(a) for determining whether there has been compliance with, or a contravention of, this Act or the regulations,

(b) generally for administering this Act.

(2) This section does not confer a power to enter any premises or part of premises that are used only for residential purposes without the permission of the occupier or the authority of a search warrant.

s 30A: Ins 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [16].

30B Powers of authorised officers to enter premises with warrant

30B Powers of authorised officers to enter premises with warrant

(1) An authorised officer may apply to an authorised warrants officer for the issue of a search warrant if the authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that any provision of this Act or the regulations is being or has been contravened on any premises.

(2) An authorised warrants officer to whom any such application is made may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, issue a search warrant authorising any authorised officer to enter and search the premises.

(3) An authorised officer executing a search warrant issued under this section may—

(a) enter the premises specified in the warrant, and

(b) search the premises for evidence of a contravention of this Act or the regulations, and

(c) exercise any other function of an authorised officer under this Part.

(4) Division 4 of Part 5 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 applies to a search warrant issued under this section.

(5) In this section—

authorised warrants officer means an authorised officer within the meaning of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.

s 30B: Ins 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [16].

30C Powers that may be exercised by authorised officers on entry

30C Powers that may be exercised by authorised officers on entry

(1) Without limiting section 32, an authorised officer may, at any premises lawfully entered under this Act for a purpose referred to in section 30A (1), do any or all of the following—

(a) examine any licence, registers, books, records or other documents on the premises,

(b) make a copy on the premises of any licence, registers, books, records or other documents and retain that copy,

(c) require any person to make a copy on the premises of any licence, registers, books, records or other documents and give that copy to the authorised officer to retain,

(c1) make such examinations and inquiries as the authorised officer considers necessary,

(d) take such photographs, films, audio, video or other recordings as the authorised officer considers necessary,

(e) require any person to produce any licence, registers, books, records or other documents on the premises,

(f) require any person to answer any question relating to any licence, registers, books, records or other documents or any other relevant matter,

(g) take any licence, registers, books, records or other documents from the premises for the purposes of copying them,

(h) seize any licence, registers, books, records or other documents, or any other thing that the authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds is connected with an offence against this Act or the regulations.

(2) The power to seize anything connected with an offence includes a power to seize anything that will provide evidence of the commission of an offence.

(3) Any registers, books, records or other documents taken only for the purpose of copying them must be returned when that copying is completed.

s 30C: Ins 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [16]. Am 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [42].

31 Police powers of entry with dog

31 Police powers of entry with dog

A police officer may at any reasonable time enter any licensed premises, or any other premises that the police officer reasonably suspects are being used to perform body art tattooing procedures for fee or reward, for the purpose of—

(a) carrying out general drug detection (within the meaning of Division 2 of Part 11 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002) using a dog, or

(b) carrying out general firearms or explosives detection (within the meaning of Part 13 of that Act) using a dog.

Division 2A Power to obtain information or records in relation to advertising offence

Division 2A Power to obtain information or records in relation to advertising offence

pt 4, div 2A, hdg: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[46].

31A Application of Division

31A Application of Division

This Division applies whether or not a power of entry under this Part is being or has been exercised.

s 31A: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[46].

31B Requirement to provide information and records

31B Requirement to provide information and records

(1) An authorised officer may, by written notice given to a person, require the person to give the officer the information or records the officer requires by the notice for the purpose of determining whether a person has committed an offence under section 8A.

(2) A notice under this section must state—

(a) the way the information or records are required to be given, and

(b) a reasonable time by which the information or records are required to be given.

(3) The notice may only require a person to give to the officer existing records that are—

(a) in the person’s possession, or

(b) within the person’s power to obtain lawfully.

(4) The authorised officer may take copies of the records.

(5) If a record required under this section is in electronic, mechanical or other form, the record must, unless the notice otherwise provides, be given in writing.

s 31B: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[46].

31C Power of authorised officers to require answers and record evidence

31C Power of authorised officers to require answers and record evidence

(1) If an authorised officer suspects, on reasonable grounds, that a person has knowledge of matters in relation to which information is reasonably required for the purpose referred to in section 31B, the authorised officer may require the person to answer questions about the matters.

(2) For the purpose of answering questions under this section, the Commissioner may require a corporation to nominate a director or officer of the corporation who is authorised to represent the corporation to answer the questions.

(3) An authorised officer may, by written notice given to a person, require the person to attend at a specified place and time to answer questions under this section.

(4) An authorised officer may record questions and answers to questions given under this section if the officer has informed the person being questioned that the record is to be made.

(5) The record may be made using—

(a) sound recording apparatus, or

(b) audio visual apparatus, or

(c) another method decided by the authorised officer.

(6) A copy of the record must be provided by the authorised officer to the person as soon as practicable after the record is made.

(7) A record may be made under this section despite the provisions of another law.

s 31C: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[46].

32 Production of licences and permits

32 Production of licences and permits

A licensee or the holder of a visiting tattooist permit must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to produce his or her licence or permit to an authorised officer on demand by an authorised officer.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

s 32: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[47]–[49].

32A Identification of certain authorised officers

32A Identification of certain authorised officers

(1) An authorised officer, who is not a police officer, must be provided with an identification card as an authorised officer by the Commissioner.

(2) An authorised officer, who is not a police officer, exercising a function under this Act must produce to a person affected by the exercise of the function the officer’s identification card if requested by the person.

s 32A: Ins 2022 No 10, Sch 1[50].

33 Hindering or obstruction of authorised officer

33 Hindering or obstruction of authorised officer

A person must not, without reasonable excuse—

(a) obstruct, hinder or interfere with an authorised officer in the exercise of a function under this Act, or

(b) fail to comply with any requirement made of the person by an authorised officer in the exercise of a function under this Act.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

s 33: Subst 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [18].

33A Provisions relating to requirements to give records or information or answer questions

33A Provisions relating to requirements to give records or information or answer questions

(1) Warning to be given on each occasion A person is not guilty of an offence of failing to comply with a requirement under section 19A, 30C, 31B or 31C to give records or information or to answer a question unless the person was warned on that occasion that a failure to comply is an offence.

(2) Self-incrimination not an excuse A person is not excused from a requirement under section 19A, 30C, 31B or 31C to give records or information or to answer a question on the ground that the record, information or answer might incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty.

(3) Information or answer not admissible if objection made However, any information given or answer given by an individual in compliance with a requirement under section 19A, 30C, 31B or 31C is not admissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings (except proceedings for an offence under section 33) if—

(a) the person objected at the time to doing so on the ground that it might incriminate the person, or

(b) the person was not warned on that occasion that the person may object to giving the information or answer on the ground that it might incriminate the person.

(4) Records admissible Any record given by a person in compliance with a requirement under section 19A, 30C, 31B or 31C is not inadmissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings on the ground that the record might incriminate the person.

(5) Further information Further information obtained as a result of a record or information given or of an answer given in compliance with a requirement under section 19A, 30C, 31B or 31C is not inadmissible on the ground—

(a) that the record or information had to be given or the answer had to be given, or

(b) that the record or information given or answer given might incriminate the person.

s 33A: Ins 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [43]. Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[51]–[57].

34 Nature of proceedings for offences

34 Nature of proceedings for offences

(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be dealt with—

(a) summarily before the Local Court, or

(b) summarily before the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction.

(2) If proceedings are brought in the Local Court, the maximum monetary penalty that the Local Court may impose for the offence is 200 penalty units, despite any higher maximum monetary penalty provided in respect of the offence.

35 Penalty notices

35 Penalty notices

(1) An authorised officer may issue a penalty notice to a person if it appears to the authorised officer that the person has committed a penalty notice offence.

(2) A penalty notice offence is an offence against this Act or the regulations that is prescribed by the regulations as a penalty notice offence.

(3) The Fines Act 1996 applies to a penalty notice issued under this section.

Note.

The Fines Act 1996 provides that, if a person issued with a penalty notice does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay the amount specified in the notice and is not liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.

(4) The amount payable under a penalty notice issued under this section is the amount prescribed for the alleged offence by the regulations.

(5) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.

s 35: Subst 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [44].

35A Offence of altering, damaging or destroying records and other things

35A Offence of altering, damaging or destroying records and other things

(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, alter, damage or destroy a document or other thing—

(a) required to be kept under this Act or the regulations, or

(b) required to be provided, produced or furnished under section 19A or 30C.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

Note—

See the Interpretation Act 1987, section 21, definition of document.

(2) Subsection (1) extends to anything containing information required to be provided under section 19A, if the alteration, damage or destruction of the thing would prevent or limit the provision of the information.

s 35A: Ins 2022 No 52, Sch 3.

35B Offence of providing false or misleading information

35B Offence of providing false or misleading information

A person must not provide information or do another thing in purported compliance with a requirement made under this Act or the regulations, knowing that it is false or misleading in a material respect.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

s 35B: Ins 2022 No 52, Sch 3.

35C Offence of conspiring to commit offence

35C Offence of conspiring to commit offence

A person must not conspire with another person to commit an offence against section 35A or 35B.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

s 35C: Ins 2022 No 52, Sch 3.

35D Offence of inducing commission of offence

35D Offence of inducing commission of offence

A person must not induce or attempt to induce another person to commit an offence against section 35A or 35B, including by the use of threats, intimidation, promises or offers.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

s 35D: Ins 2022 No 52, Sch 3.

Part 5 Miscellaneous

Part 5 Miscellaneous

36 Exchange of information

36 Exchange of information

(1) The Commissioner may enter into an arrangement (an information sharing arrangement) with a relevant agency for the purposes of sharing or exchanging any information that is held by the Commissioner or the agency.

(2) The information to which an information sharing arrangement may relate is limited to information that assists in the exercise of the functions of the Commissioner under this Act or the regulations or of the relevant agency concerned.

(3) Under an information sharing arrangement, the Commissioner and the relevant agency are, despite any other Act or law of the State, authorised—

(a) to request and receive information that is held by the other party to the arrangement, and

(b) to disclose that information to the other party.

(4) In this section—

relevant agency means any of the following—

(a) (Repealed)

(b) any Public Service agency within the meaning of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013,

(c) Transport for NSW,

(d) any local council,

(e) any other person or body prescribed by the regulations.

s 36: Am 2016 No 27, Sch 2.50 [3]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.108; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [58] [59].

36A Certificate evidence

36A Certificate evidence

(1) A certificate purporting to have been signed by the Commissioner and stating any of the following is admissible in evidence in any proceedings and is evidence of the matters stated—

(a) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a specified person was, or was not, the holder of a licence,

(b) that on a specified day a licence formerly held by a specified person had been cancelled or surrendered,

(c) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a licence held by a specified person was suspended,

(d) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a licence held by a specified person was subject to specified conditions,

(e) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, specified premises were, or were not, licensed premises,

(f) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a specified person was, or was not, the holder of a permit,

(g) that on a specified day a permit that was formerly held by a specified person had been revoked or had expired,

(h) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a permit held by a specified person was subject to specified conditions,

(i) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, specified premises were, or were not, subject to an interim closure order.

(2) (Repealed)

s 36A: Ins 2013 No 47, Sch 1.33. Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [60]–[63].

37 No compensation payable for exercise of regulatory functions

37 No compensation payable for exercise of regulatory functions

(1) No compensation is payable to any person or body for—

(a) the closure of premises under this Act, or

(b) a refusal to grant a licence or visiting tattooist permit under this Act, or

(c) the suspension or cancellation of a licence or visiting tattooist permit under this Act, or

(d) the exercise of any other function in connection with any such closure, refusal, suspension or cancellation.

(2) Subsection (1) extends to the purported exercise in good faith of any of the functions referred to in that subsection.

(3) In this section—

compensation includes damages and any other form of monetary compensation.

s 37: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[64].

38 Delegations

38 Delegations

(1) (Repealed)

(2) The Commissioner may delegate to an authorised delegate any of the Commissioner’s functions under this Act or the regulations, other than this power of delegation.

(3) A delegate may sub-delegate to another authorised delegate any of the functions delegated by the Commissioner if the delegate is authorised in writing by the Commissioner.

(4) In this section—

authorised delegate means—

(a) a police officer or any other member of the NSW Police Force, or

(b) a person employed in a Public Service agency within the meaning of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013, or

(c) any person (or any person belonging to a class of persons) prescribed by the regulations.

s 38: Am 2016 No 27, Sch 2.50 [4]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[65] [66].

39 Service of documents

39 Service of documents

(1) A document that is authorised or required by this Act or the regulations to be served on any person may be served by any of the following methods—

(a) in the case of an individual—by personal delivery to the person,

(b) by post to the address specified by the person for the service of documents of that kind,

(c) in the case of an individual who has not specified such an address—by post to the residential or business address of the person last known to the person serving the document,

(d) in the case of a corporation—by post to the registered office or any other office of the corporation or by leaving it at any such office with a person apparently over the age of 16 years,

(e) by email to an email address specified by the person for the service of documents of that kind,

(f) by any other method authorised by the regulations for the service of documents of that kind.

(2) Nothing in this section affects the operation of any provision of a law or of the rules of a court authorising a document to be served on a person by any other method.

(3) In this section, serve includes give or send.

s 39: Subst 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [45].

40 Provision of documents to Commissioner

40 Provision of documents to Commissioner

(1) A document may be served on, given to or lodged with the Commissioner in a way approved by the Commissioner.

Note—

The ways a document may be served under this Act that are approved by the Commissioner are listed on the NSW Police Force website.

(2) Nothing in this section affects the operation of any provision of a law or of the rules of a court authorising a document to be served on the Commissioner in any other manner.

s 40: Am 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [67].

41 Regulations

41 Regulations

(1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) or any other provision of this Act concerning the making of regulations, the regulations may make provision for or with respect to the following—

(a) the conditions of licences or permits,

(b) the misuse of licences (including the forgery, alteration, theft or other improper use of licences) and misrepresentations concerning licences,

(c) without limiting paragraph (f), the application of, or exemption from, licensing requirements in connection with body art tattooing shows or exhibitions and the short term approval of the performing of body art tattooing procedures (including the issue of permits for those purposes),

(d) methods of service (which may include electronic transmission) for a notice or other document authorised or required to be served by or under a provision of this Act, either in addition to or as an alternative to a method of service provided for by the provision concerned,

(e) licence and permit fees,

(e1) the waiver, reduction, postponement or refund by the Commissioner of fees payable or paid under this Act or the regulations,

(f) exemptions from the operation of this Act or specified provisions of this Act,

(g) the making, keeping and inspection of records in connection with the carrying on of body art tattooing businesses.

(3) A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding 40 penalty units in the case of a corporation or 20 penalty units in any other case.

s 41: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [19]–[21]; 2020 No 3, Sch 1.27[1]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[3] [68].

42 Review of Act

42 Review of Act

(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.

(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.

(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.

Schedule 1 Savings, transitional and other provisions

Schedule 1 Savings, transitional and other provisions

sch 1: Am 2012 No 85, Sch 1 [22]; 2017 No 14, Sch 1 [46]; 2020 No 3, Sch 1.27[2]; 2022 No 10, Sch 1[69]; 2025 No 60, Sch 3.1.

Part 6 Provisions consequent on enactment of Tattoo Parlours Amendment (Statutory Review) Act 2022

Part 6 Provisions consequent on enactment of Tattoo Parlours Amendment (Statutory Review) Act 2022

Schedule 2

Schedule 2 (Repealed)

sch 2: Rep 1987 No 15, sec 30C.