Tattoos and Piercings

ACT: When can I get a tattoo or body piercing?

Tattoos

In the Australian Capital Territory, the legal age you can get a tattoo at is 18.

If you are under 18 you need your parent or carer’s consent. The consent must state the type of tattoo and the position on your body where the tattoo will be done. Your parent must give their consent in writing. Without this consent it is a criminal offence for someone to tattoo you or make a permanent mark or design on your skin.

Body Piercing

There is no law which says how old you have to be to get body piercing in the ACT. If you are under 18 though it will depend on whether you are able to give valid consent.


When can I give my consent?

There is no fixed age at which you can consent before you turn 18. It always depends on whether the piercer thinks you fully understand what is involved. In deciding whether or not you understand the piercer will need to consider:

  • your age and maturity;
  • the type of piercings and where you want them
  • whether you understand the long term impact of the piercing, what it involves, and things that might go wrong (like side-effects from infections, or other complications).

In practise, piercing studios may still require parental consent.

Before you get a Tattoo or Piercing

It is important to be sure that you want a tattoo or other skin marking for the rest of your life as it is permanent. Also, a piercing may leave scars or holes long after you stop wearing the jewellery.

There is a risk that you can get a disease like Hepatitis C or B, HIV or a bacterial infection. It is always best to go to a professional tattoo artist and to make sure that the tattoo studio is safe and hygienic and all tools sterilised.


The content on this page was last updated on 2 April 2012


***************************************************************************************
  Insert text regarding ALL STATES here.
  You can choose to insert either:
     · Content that directly applies to ALL STATES of Australia.
     · A footnote that will be seen below the existing content of each state.
***************************************************************************************