Tattoos: legal issues In Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, it's a criminal offence for a tattooist to do tattoos for someone under 18 years. In the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, teenagers under 18 years need to get their parents' permission for tattoos.
Tattoos and the Law
It is illegal for anyone to give someone under 18 years old a tattoo. This law applies to tattoo artists as well as everyone else. This means that someone can get in trouble for tattooing someone who is underage by using a DIY kit or any other tool.
Australia has no national laws that make it illegal for employers to ban visible body ink in the workplace or to reject applicants because of their tattoos.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, you'll need your parent's permission in writing to get a tattoo or be branded. The note must explain the type of tattoo or brand you want to get and where it's going to be on your body.
It is lawful for your employer to have policies regarding your appearance at work. These policies may include a ban on visible tattoos and other matters however should not result in harsh or unfair treatment.
For example, here in sunny Queensland, Australia, our public school sector has no official departmental policy on tattoos – it is up to the principal of each school to decide what is best and appropriate for their community. Two public schools in the same suburb can have different expectations.
You must be aged 18 or over to get a tattoo. A tattoo studio may ask for proof of age if they think you are under 18. It's illegal to tattoo a person under 18—even if your parent or guardian agrees.
It has been noted that physical appearance is not a protected attribute under the Fair Work Act. However, you can actually be accused of racially discriminating against your employee under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) if you require employees to cover up tattoos that are an expression of their: Race. Colour.
There are no official rules or regulations on whether or not nurses in Australia can have tattoos. Regulations are in the hands of the facility and their individual policies on tattoos in the healthcare industry.
The Army has a strict policy regarding personal appearance. The acceptability of tattoos and body piercings will be assessed on a case by case basis by Defence Force Recruiting. If you are considering getting either please contact us for guidance as this may affect your application.
In the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, teenagers under 18 years need to get their parents' permission for tattoos. As a parent, you must give your permission either in person or in writing, and you have to say what type of tattoo you agree to and where.
However, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutory laws requiring a person receiving a tattoo be at least 18 years old. This is partially based on the legal principle that a minor cannot enter into a legal contract or otherwise render informed consent for a procedure.
In New South Wales you need to be 18 to get a tattoo. If you are under 18, you'll need your parent's permission. It's against the law for someone to tattoo you without your parent's permission.
Club patches and symbols such as 1% are intended to reinforce the fearsome reputation of the gang as a criminal enterprise and encourage threats and extortion against police.
Our latest study shows one in four Australians has a tattoo (25%) – a record high. This is up from 20% in 2018 and 19% in 2016. The proportion of women with a tattoo now exceeds that of men by more than ten per cent (31% women compared to 19% men).
One in four people now have body art. Queensland is the third most inked state after NSW and Victoria, with 20 per cent of the population displaying tattoos.
Tattooing is most popular among Australians in the 20 to 39 year age group. According to McCrindle Research, by 2009, one in four Australians of the Gen Y group— those born between 1982 and 2001—considered having “body art” as an ideal way to celebrate their coming of age.
Like prohibiting employees from wearing t-shirts or requiring employees to wear a uniform, an appearance policy requiring employees to cover tattoos is legal unless it violates laws prohibiting discrimination, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
NEVER apply Bepanthen, petroleum jelly, alcohol or other creams and lotions without asking your artist. Keep your tattoo clean, out of the pool/ocean for 1 week minimum, out of the sun for 3 weeks minimum. Don't wear tight clothing over your tattoo that can cause friction, this will ruin your tattoo quickly.
Tattoo artists in Australia do not require a tattooing licence, but they will need an operator licence if they plan to work from home or have their store.
A: Displaying of tattoos is acceptable, except when the tattoo depicts material of a nature which may be considered offensive (horror, crime, violence etc).
The Army tattoo policy was updated and relaxed in 2015 but is still one of the most strict in the military. It prohibits any tattoos on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or above the t-shirt collar. Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited.
Always remember that you are there to sell yourself as an effective professional. You don't want the interview to focus solely on the fact that you have tattoos and piercings. If you have significantly large designs and know they will be a point of interest, it will be best if you cover them up.
To ensure that workplace interactions remain focused on work, organizations may decline to allow tattoos at the workplace. Tattoos might be distracting to some employees. If another employee comes from a more traditional or conservative background, they might be distracted by prominently displayed tattoos.