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To apply for a tattooing show permit, you must:

• be an individual; and
• be at least 18 years of age; and
• be an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident (includes New Zealand citizens); and
• not be a controlled member of a declared organisation under the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2021; and
• not be a member of a prescribed criminal organisation (as listed in Schedule 3 of the Regulation) or have been a member in the previous 12 months before making the application.

If the tattooing show is being conducted on behalf of a corporation, partnership or trust, you must also complete a P1253 Nomination of Events Manager for a Tattooing Show form (PDF) showing you have been nominated as the Events Manager by the corporation’s directors, partners or trustees.

No more than two tattooing show permits may be granted to the same individual, or to an individual applying on behalf of the same corporation, partnership or trust, in the same calendar year.

An individual is an authorised participant of a tattooing show if:

• the tattooing show permit holder notifies SLED of the individual’s personal details at least 14 days before the start of the show; and
• they are at least 18 years of age; and
• they are not a controlled member of a declared organisation under the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Act 2012; and
• they are not a member of a prescribed criminal organisation (as listed in Schedule 3 of the Regulation) and have not been a member of a prescribed criminal organisation in the previous 12 months;  and
• they have not been an authorised participant of more than one other tattooing show in the previous 12 months.

The personal details of each authorised participant that must be notified to SLED are the individual’s:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Residential address
• Postal address (if different to residential).

SLED will notify the permit holder that an individual cannot perform body art tattooing procedures at the show If they are found to be unsuitable to be an authorised participant.

The tattooing show permit holder must notify SLED of any changes to previously notified authorised participants at least 14 days before the start of the show. The changes must include the personal details of any additional authorised participants.

A list of the personal details of each authorised participant must be kept at the show when it is open to the public and be promptly made available to an authorised officer on request.

The holder of a current NSW tattooist licence, or a current NSW Master licence for premises at which the individual performs body art tattooing procedures as a self-employed individual, or a current NSW Visiting Tattooist Permit, is not classified as an ‘authorised participant’ and may perform body art tattooing procedures at any permitted show. However, their details must be provided to SLED with the permit application form.

The details of any additional eligible NSW tattoo industry licensees or permit holders performing tattooing at the show should be provided to SLED no later than seven days before the start of the show.

An authorised participant may perform body art tattooing procedures away from the tattooing show premises during the period of the tattooing show permit only if:

• they are not an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident; and
• the performance of a body art tattooing procedure is not in breach of their visa conditions; and
• the body art tattooing procedure is performed at premises for which a current NSW Master licence is in force; and
• they have not performed body art tattooing procedures at premises for which a current NSW Master licence is in force on more than 31 days in the previous 12 months; and
• they carry, and produce to an authorised officer on request, written evidence that they are an authorised participant in a current tattooing show when performing body art tattooing procedures at the licensed premises.

Advertising is any form of notice or statement in the nature of an advertisement. It includes social media posts and other forms of digital advertising as well as print and broadcast media.

The advertising must promote that body art tattooing procedures will take place at the show.

A tattooing show permit may be granted for a period of up to seven days.

An authorised officer is a police officer or a member of the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED) who has been authorised by the Commissioner of Police under the Act.

Authorised officers have investigative powers, including powers to enter premises where body art tattooing procedures are being performed, and to require individuals to answer questions and produce documents.

To apply for a tattooing show permit, you must complete the P1252 Application for a Tattooing Show Permit form and include:

• your personal details
• the start and end dates for the proposed tattooing show
• the address for the proposed tattooing show
• a P1253 Nomination of Events Manager for a Tattooing Show form (PDF) if you will be conducting the show on behalf of a corporation, partnership or trust
• details of each person proposed to be performing body art tattooing at the show including:
  • the full name and licence number of NSW Tattoo Industry licensees
  • the full name and permit number of NSW Visiting Tattooist permit holders
  • the following personal information of proposed authorised participants:
    • ­     Full name
    • ­     Date of birth
    • ­     Place of birth
    • ­     Residential address
    • ­     Postal address (if different to residential)
• evidence to demonstrate a capacity to ensure participants comply with any applicable legislation relating to the performance of body art tattooing procedures including the Public Health Act 2010 and the Public Health Regulation 2022.
• application fee payment details.

SLED must receive fully completed application forms, accompanying information, and the application fee at least 28 days before the proposed tattooing show start date.

The tattooing show permit fee for the 2023-24 financial year is $776.

Application forms and accompanying attachments must be posted to SLED at:

Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate

Locked Bag 5099

Parramatta NSW 2124

• Application for a Tattooing Show permit P1252 (PDF)
• Nomination of Event Manager for a Tattooing Show P1253 (PDF)