Starting a skin penetration business

Step 1.Confirm the business has consent

Confirm that the retail or home business has the appropriate permission (consent) to operate as a skin penetration business.

If you are taking over an existing skin penetration business that already has consent, but are planning on undertaking major renovations you may still need to submit a development application. 

How to apply for Development Consent

Optional pre-purchase inspection

You may wish to arrange an optional pre-purchase inspection from our Officer’s.

The inspection will assess whether the premises is properly constructed according to skin penetration legislation. You will be provided with a report of the findings. 

You can request our Officers to complete the inspection using our online Health Enquiry Form and selecting ‘pre-purchase inspection’.

There is a fee for this service. See fees and charges

Health Enquiry Form

Step 2.Notify us of your business

You must notify us of your business details using the online form below:

Notification of Premises Undertaking Skin Penetration Procedures form

Once this form has been submitted you will receive a letter or email from us confirming notification of your business.

What if my details change?

You must let us know within 7 days if there is a change of business details such as owner, location, business name, or contact details. The online notification form can be used, just select 'change of details' at the top of the form.   

Step 3.When can I start operating?

You may start operating once you have received confirmation from us of your skin penetration business notification.  

Step 1.Apply for consent

You will need to obtain development consent to operate a skin penetration business from your chosen location if it has never been used as a skin penetration business before. 

How to apply for Development Consent

As part of the Development Application (DA) process you will need to:

Step 2.Gather information

When submitting your development application you will need to include the following:

1. Professionally drawn plans of the skin penetration business including:
   • Layout of the premises
   • Treatment area
   • Hand wash basins
   • The equipment cleaning area for businesses sterilizing equipment 
   • Storage areas for skin penetration equipment
2. A description of the finish of all surfaces including floors, walls, ceiling etc.  
3. A description of the skin penetration procedures to be undertaken

Check the NSW Health webpage for further information on the appropriate construction and fit out for skin penetration businesses:

Skin penetration business design and construction

Step 3.Have a fit-out inspection

You will need to arrange for the skin penetration premises fit-out to be inspected and certified to confirm it has been properly constructed.

You can request our Officers to complete the inspection using our Health Enquiry Form and selecting ‘pre-opening inspection’.

There is a fee for this service. See fees and charges

Health Enquiry Form

Step 4.Notify us of your business

Once you have received Development Consent you will be required to notify us of your business details using the online form below:

Notification of Premises Undertaking Skin Penetration Procedures form

Once this form has been submitted you will receive a letter or email from us confirming notification of your business.

What if my details change?

You must let us know within 7 days if there is a change of business details such as owner, location, business name, or contact details. The online notification form can be used, just select 'change of details' at the top of the form.   

Step 5.When can I start operating?

You may start operating once you have received:

• Development Consent
• Confirmation from us of your business notification 

Carefully read your Development Consent to check if any other conditions have been applied to your business. 

Step 1.Apply for consent

You will need to obtain development consent to operate a skin penetration business from your home if it has never been used as a skin penetration business before. 

How to apply for Development Consent

As part of the Development Application (DA) process you will need to:

Step 2.Gather information

The following details should be submitted with your application:

1. A scaled plan of the premises including treatment areas, sink for washing hands, areas for storing equipment, and areas for cleaning equipment
2. A description of the finish of all surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings, benches)
3. A description of the skin penetration procedures to be undertaken

Step 3.Have an inspection

Once the Development Application has been submitted you will be contacted by our Officers to arrange an inspection of your home where the skin penetration procedures are going to be undertaken. 

Step 4.Notify us of your business

Once you have received Development Consent you will be required to notify us of your business details using the online form below:

Notification of Premises Undertaking Skin Penetration Procedures form

What if my details change?

You must let us know within 7 days if there is a change of business details such as owner, location, business name, or contact details. The online notification form can be used, just select 'change of details' at the top of the form.   

Step 5.When can I start operating?

You may start operating once you have received:

• Development Consent
• Confirmation from us of your business notification  

Carefully read your Development Consent to check if any other conditions have been applied to your home based food business.