The City of Port Adelaide Enfield has approximately 400 businesses offering the provision hair, beauty and other related services to the community. These businesses include hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons and acupuncture clinics.

All of these businesses are responsible for ensuring the safety and hygiene of their premises and practices. Council’s Environmental Health Officers are authorised under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 to conduct unannounced inspections, investigate complaints and enforce minimum requirements when necessary. Our Environmental Health Officers also provide education to practitioners in undertaking hygienic and aseptic (non-touch) technique and are always happy to answer questions from businesses wanting to improve their practices.

Business Notification Form(PDF, 247.1 KB)

Information for the Public

Hair, beauty and personal services should only be provided by suitably trained professionals who have knowledge and skills in relation to hygiene, health and safety. It is recommended that clients enquire of their practitioner’s qualifications and only give their custom to suitably trained practitioners.

Unhygienic practices can result in the spread of infection or disease. Inadequate cleaning of equipment and tools such as nail files, foot spas, or applicators can cause fungal and bacterial infections of the nails and skin. In addition, lack of sterilisation and aseptic technique during skin penetration activities can have serious consequences such as the spread of viral infections including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. If you have any concerns, contact your GP.

A competent and responsible practitioner should frequently wash their hands with soap and warm running water and then dry them with single use paper towels, demonstrate good personal hygiene and the premises should be kept in a clean state. If you have any concerns, please contact Council to raise a Customer Request on 8405 6600 or service@cityofpae.sa.gov.au

Information for Industry

Any business providing hair, beauty or related services must ensure that its clients receive procedures that are safe, hygienic, and delivered by a suitably qualified and competent professional otherwise a public health risk could exist.

The development of effective risk minimisation strategies is important to reduce the risk of infection. Businesses must identify situations where the spread of infection is a risk and implement preventative strategies in order to reduce that risk.

Hairdressing is generally considered to be low risk; however, infection can occur if razors, scissors, combs, clippers or hairpins accidentally pierce the skin. Blood does not have to be visible on instruments for infection to occur.

Higher risk procedures are those which involve skin penetration/damage, including:

• Waxing
• Micropigmentation
• Permanent/semi-permanent makeup
• Lancing
• Dermabrasion/microneedling
• Injectables
• Acupuncture/dry needling

Appropriate aseptic technique must be followed when undertaking these procedures and sterilisation of equipment or the use of single use disposable equipment is necessary to prevent the spread of infection. See the video links below on how to do this.

Although not involving skin penetration, beauty treatments such as manicures, pedicures and facials can spread bacteria and fungus that cause skin and nail infections. Regular handwashing and appropriate cleaning and disinfection of tools and linen is necessary to protect both clients and practitioners.

Current Guidelines in South Australia

Guidelines on the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin Penetration(PDF, 430.28 KB)

Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing(PDF, 354.4 KB)

Industry Specific Infection Control Videos

(reproduced with kind permission from NSW Health)

If you’re a practitioner and have any further questions relating to your Public Health obligations, please contact the Environmental Health Team on 8405 6832 If you are thinking of starting a new hair, beauty or acupuncture business you may need development approval. Please contact the Planning team on 8405 6096 for more information.