Tattoos and Piercings

Is there an age limit for getting a tattoo or a piercing?

Check your region below for more information on tattoos.

Piercings are more generally accepted by society, however with piercings other than the ear lobe you may have to be a certain age before they will perform a piercing without parental consent.

All businesses providing tattoo or piercing services need to follow guidelines and be registered by the local Council. They should display a Certificate of Registration. The guidelines made by Councils are to prevent the spread of disease or infection, which is a common risk from body modifications.

Differences between states

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, there is no law which says how old you have to be to get a tattoo or body piercing. Once you are 18, you will be able to get a tattoo or piercing without your parents’ permission.

If you are under 18 it will depend on whether you are able to give valid consent. This will depend on whether the tattooist or body piercer is confident that you fully understand the long term impact and risks involved. In determining this they may consider your age, maturity, and the type and location of the piercing or tattoo that you want.

In practice, many studios may still ask for permission from a parent or guardian if you are under 18.

ACT

In the ACT you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without your parents’ permission.

If you’re under 18 you can only get a tattoo if you have written permission from your parents. The written permission has to include information about the style of the tattoo and where on your body you will get it. It’s against the law for someone to tattoo you without your parent’s permission.

There is no law which says how old you have to be to get a body piercing. Once you are 18, you will be able to get a piercing without your parents’ permission.

If you are under 18 and want to get a piercing it will depend on whether you are able to give valid consent. This will depend on whether the body piercer is confident that you fully understand the long term impact and risks involved. In determining this they may consider your age, maturity, and the type and location of the piercing that you want.

In practice, many studios may still ask for permission from a parent or guardian if you are under 18.

Western Australia

In WA, if you are under 18 you can not get a tattoo unless you have written consent from a parent or guardian.  The written consent must also specify what type of tattoo you can have and where on your body it will be placed.  If you are under 18 and do not have consent, it is a criminal offence for someone to tattoo or otherwise make a permanent mark or design on your skin.

If you are over 16, you are able to get your ears pierced without requiring consent from your parents or guardian.  If you want to get a piercing elsewhere on your body (but not an intimate area) and you are under 18, you will need written consent from your parent or guardian which states where the piercing can be done.

If you are under 18, a piercer is not allowed to give you an intimate body piercing (a piercing in nipples or genitalia) at all, even if your parent or guardian has given consent.

NSW

In New South Wales you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without your parents’ permission.

If you’re under 18 you can only get a tattoo if your parent is with you when you get it, or you have written permission from your parents. The written permission has to include information about the style of the tattoo and where on your body you will get it. It’s against the law for someone to tattoo you without your parent’s permission.

You need to be 16 to get most piercings in New South Wales. If you’re under 16 and want a piercing, you’ll need your parent’s permission in writing or in person. The written permission has to include information about the style of the piercing and where on your body you will get it.

You can’t get a piercing in a private place (like your genitals or nipples) if you are under 16, even if you have your parent’s permission.

Victoria

In Victoria, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo. It is against the law for someone to give you a tattoo if you are under 18, even if you have your parent’s permission.

You need to be 16 to get most piercings in Victoria. If you’re under 16 and want a piercing, you’ll need your parent’s permission in writing or in person. The written permission has to include information about the style of the piercing and where on your body you will get it.

You can’t get a piercing in a private place (like your genitals or nipples) if you are under 16, even if you have your parent’s permission.

South Australia

In South Australia, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo. It is against the law for someone to give you a tattoo if you are under 18, even if you have your parent’s permission.

You need to be 16 to get most piercings in South Australia. If you’re under 16 and want a piercing, you’ll need your parent’s permission in writing or in person. The written permission has to include information about the style of the piercing and where on your body you will get it.

You can’t get a piercing in a private place (like your genitals or nipples) if you are under 16, even if you have your parent’s permission.

Tasmania

In Tasmania, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo. It is against the law some someone to give you a tattoo if you are under 18, even if you have your parent’s permission.

You need to be 16 to get most piercings in Tasmania. If you’re under 16 and want a piercing, you’ll need your parent’s permission in writing or in person. The written permission has to include information about the style of the piercing and where on your body you will get it.

You can’t get a piercing in a private place (like your genitals or nipples) if you are under 16, even if you have your parent’s permission.

Queensland

In Queensland, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo. It is against the law for someone to give you a tattoo if you are under 18, even if you have your parent’s permission.

You can’t get a piercing in a private place (like your genitals or nipples) if you are under 18, even if you have your parent’s permission.

If you’re under 18 and want a piercing (other than in a private area), it will depend on whether you are able to give valid consent. This will depend on whether the body piercer is confident that you fully understand the long term impact and risks involved. In determining this they may consider your age, maturity, and the type and location of the piercing that you want.

In practice, many studios may still ask for permission from a parent or guardian if you are under 18.