If you are starting your own health or beauty business, there are some important steps you will need to follow.
In Victoria it is required by law that all Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 premises are registered with their local Council.
A Public Health and Wellbeing Act premise may be:
- an accommodation premises
- hairdresser
- beautician
- tattooist
- body piercer
- myotherapist
- colonic irrigation and other physical therapies.
Step one - Research
Visit the Business Victoria website to research all aspects of starting a new business.
The requirements for the Hair, Beauty and Skin Penetration industry are available from your local council or from the Health guidelines for personal care and body art industries page of the Department of Health Victoria website.
Step two – Approval from other authorities
Permits or exemptions may be required from other authorities prior to applying for a registration with the Councils Health Services Unit.
These may include, but are not limited to:
Step three – Application process
An application can be made online and must include a copy of plans or photos of your operational spaces.
The plans or photos need to include:
- The layout of all fixtures, fittings and equipment
- A description of materials to be used for surface finishes including walls, floors and bench tops (a legend on the side of the plan may be used).
- A summary of the work to be undertaken at your new premises
Step four – Granting registration
- We will invoice you for the registration and approval. This needs to be fully paid prior to us granting registration.
- The officer will then, usually give you approval to open the business and will conduct a full compliance inspection at a later date to ensure compliance.
- Please advise the officer of your intended opening date as soon as you know, so that an inspection can take place once all works are completed. In this way we can help you begin trading as soon as possible.
Step five – Registration periods
For most Health and Beauty premises registration the registration period is from 1 January to 31 December each year.
A renewal of registration will be sent to you approximately one month prior to end of the registration period.
Registration is slightly different for businesses that have hairdressing only and some low risk beauty therapy services. In these cases you will have ongoing registration.
If you do not understand your registration and compliance requirements you can speak to the Health Officer during their next inspection or contact our Health Services Unit on 03 5272 4411.