(2) Soldiers may have no more than four visible tattoos below the elbow (to the wrist bone) or below the knee. The tattoos in these areas must be smaller than the size of the wearer's hand with fingers extended and joined with the thumb touching the base of the index finger.
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.
However, the Army recently updated their policy on hand tattoos and neck tattoos in the midst of their recruiting crisis. Now, Soldiers are allowed to have one tattoo on each hand so long as it does not exceed 1 inch in length.
The ADF 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.
The Army updated tattoo regulations (670-1) in April 2015. Plan to remove ink on your wrist, face, hands, head or neck (below the t-shirt line is acceptable) prior to joining. Additional no-no's include tattoos in your ears, mouth or eyelids, according to the regulations.
Generally speaking, visits to a tattoo removal clinic will be on your own dime—the government will not pay for you to have a tattoo removed, nor will health insurance. Fortunately, we do offer special discounts for military recruits, active duty, and veterans – it's our way of saying, “thank you for your service!”
Tattoos that are offensive or obscene, ie those that depict sex acts, violence or illegal drugs for example are a no-no. Tattoos on the hand and the back of the neck are now OK. Most soldiers, however, keep their saluting hand clean out of respect.
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.
The simple answer is – yes, according to discrimination law experts. In most states, anti-discrimination legislation does not offer protection for physical features, including tattoos and piercings.
Face, head, neck and hand tattoos are not permitted unless they are small/discreet in size/colour/location and can be appropriately covered while on duty.
Prices for tattoo removal vary based on such factors as removal method, tattoo size, existing scars, skin color, body part, ink colors, and ink depth. The average price for laser tattoo removal is $423. For a large piece of art, the cost can reach $4,000 or more.
Each branch has slightly different rules when it comes to visible tattoos, and some of that depends on the job you have in the military. As a general rule, as long as the tattoos aren't found to be offensive, then it generally isn't a problem. But you may want to call and talk to a recruiter about it.
Unwanted tattoos can be removed gradually over a series of sessions using a laser. The energy from the laser breaks down the tattoo ink into tiny fragments, which are eventually absorbed into the bloodstream and safely passed out of the body.
Navy Tattoo Policy and Regulations
New regulations allow for unlimited tattoos on the legs, arms, neck, and even on the hands and behind the ears. The only places on the body that are off limits are the head, face, and scalp. Tattoos on the torso are also allowed, but they must not be visible underneath whites.
The Navy has the most accepting tattoo policy of any military branch. In fact, Sailors have a long history of getting tattoos to symbolize milestones within their Navy careers. Sailors can have full-sleeve tattoos on arms and legs. Sailors are permitted to have a single tattoo on their neck no larger than 1 inch.
According to the Navy, only the head, face and scalp are off limits. The neck and behind the ear may have one tat but it should be restricted to one inch. Additionally, tattoos on the torso should not be visible through the white uniform shirt. For the rest of the body, there is no restriction on size and placement.
A: No. While there is clearly some discretion about tattoos that are located elsewhere on your body, anything on your head, neck or face is strictly prohibited.
The Fair Work Ombudsman concluded Qantas and Emirates' could reject applicants due to their tattoos. If you want to implement a policy or rule which bans employees from having visible tattoos, you should contact an employment lawyer first.
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.
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.
The KFC logo must be visible on each item of clothing. Employees must also wear black, non-slip shoes. Hair must be neatly groomed and facial hair must be kept short and neat. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and no visible tattoos or body piercings are allowed.
Ink Armor sleeves are super comfortable and come in a huge selection of styles, sizes and colors. They can help you comply with your existing military tattoo policy and they are even Made in the USA! Ink Armor sleeves by Tat2X were designed specifically to help people cover up their tattoos.
Offensive Content
Tattoos depicting sex, gangs, drugs, or violence are not accepted in any of the five branches of the military. Ink that represents discrimination based on race, sex, or religion is similarly deemed offensive and against regulations.
Hand, arm, leg, neck, and ring tattoos can be exposed and visible while wearing any uniform combination. Chest and back tattoos will not be visible through any uniform combination or visible while wearing an open collar uniform.