Hairdressers and barbers

Review of the Hairdressing Establishment Regulations

The Hairdressing Establishment Regulations 1972 (external site) have been identified as having low public health risk and were repealed as part of Stage 5A of the implementation of the Public Health Act 2016. In 2016, the discussion paper 'Proposed repeal of the Hairdressing Establishment Regulation 1972' was circulated for feedback from the hairdressing and barber industry. It proposed that the Regulations be repealed and replaced by an industry guideline as a more effective and contemporary way of managing the industry’s public health risks. This proposal was supported by industry feedback.

• Hairdressing Guidelines

The Guidelines provide hairdressing businesses with guidance in relation to premises design, infection control, waste management and blood or body fluid spill surface clean-up. 

Hairdressing procedures

Hairdressing procedures include any activity where a person conducts services to a person’s facial or scalp hair including shampooing, drying, cutting, trimming, shaving, colouring, and styling. A person conducting barbering is considered to be hairdressing for the purpose of the Guidelines.

A hairdressing business may also conduct skin penetration procedures, including beauty therapy procedures (e.g., waxing). These premises must also comply with the Skin Penetration legislation and Code of Practice.

Public Health Risks of Hairdressing Procedures

Hairdressing procedures may potentially expose clients to skin infections, fungal infections (e.g. ringworm, tinea), infestations (e.g. head lice) and blood-borne viruses and infections (e.g. hepatitis B). Transmission of blood-borne viruses and infections are considered low risk in the hairdressing industry, the accidental nicking/cutting of a client with scissors or clippers may pose a risk of infection. These risks can be managed via hygiene practices, and appropriately cleaning and disinfecting equipment after use.

Should a local government authority receive a complaint about a hairdressing business (e.g. poor hygiene practices), an Environmental Health Officer can investigate the hairdressing establishment to ensure the business is being operated in accordance with the best practice principles outlined in the Guidelines. If an establishment is not being operated in accordance with industry best practice, and site investigations confirm significant and frequent issues – the local government authority may have recourse to enforcement action.