Young people get tattoos and body-piercings for many reasons. For example, they might want to: Show
You’ll see many people, young and old, with body-piercings and tattoos. Even if you have mixed feelings, it might help to know that many people feel OK about them – or don’t even notice them. Tattoos: legal issuesLaws about teenagers and tattoos and body-piercings vary around Australia. In Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, it’s a criminal offence for a tattooist to do tattoos for someone under 18 years. In the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, teenagers under 18 years need to get their parents’ permission for tattoos. As a parent, you must give your permission either in person or in writing, and you have to say what type of tattoo you agree to and where. In Western Australia, teenagers must be over 16 years and have their parents’ permission for tattoos. Permission must be in writing and must explain the type of tattoo you agree to and where. In the Northern Territory, there are no specific rules about getting a tattoo. In practice tattooists have their own industry standards, and teenagers are often asked to get their parents’ permission for tattoos. Body-piercings: legal issuesNon-intimate areas In Western Australia, teenagers under 18 years can get body-piercings with their parents’ permission. In Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, teenagers under 16 years need their parents’ permission for body-piercings. As a parent, you have to say where the body-piercing can be. Intimate areas In Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, body-piercers aren’t allowed to give teenagers under 18 years piercings in intimate areas, even if teenagers have parental permission. In the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory, there are no specific rules about piercings in intimate areas. Talking with your child about tattoos and body-piercingsIf your child wants to get a body-piercing or a tattoo, talking about it together is a good first step. Here are some ideas to help you have a positive conversation with your child. Pick a time to talk Listen to your
child Talk about your feelings If you do have negative feelings about tattoos or body-piercings, your child might be more willing to listen to them if you calmly ‘own’ your feelings, rather than trying to put your values on your child or tell your child what to do. For example, ‘I don’t like the idea of you getting a tattoo at 16 because you might decide you don’t like it in 5 years time. And then it’ll be difficult and cost you a lot of money to get rid of it’. Discuss the legal issues Look for compromise It’s worth being careful about banning tattoos or body-piercings completely because this might result in your child getting one anyway, but without taking the proper safety precautions. Talk to someone with a tattoo Tattoos and body-piercings: risksGetting a tattoo or body-piercing does come with some risks. These include:
People who have certain conditions or use certain medicines have a higher risk of infection or complications, so they should avoid body-piercings or tattoos. If this sounds like your child, it’s a good idea to check with their GP about whether getting a tattoo is safe. Tattoos and body-piercings: present and future considerationsThere are some other things that are worth talking about with your child if they want a tattoo or body-piercing. These are:
Tattoos and body-piercings: health and safetyIf you agree to your child getting a tattoo or body-piercing, or if your child is going to get one no matter what you say, protecting their health and safety is important. You can do this by helping your child look for a tattooist or body-piercer who:
You can also talk with your child about the dangers of do-it-yourself and backyard tattoos or body-piercings. Some parents ask for references before choosing a tattooist or get recommendations from friends who’ve had good experiences. If you’re finding it hard to talk about tattoos or body-piercings with your child, our articles on negotiating, managing conflict, problem-solving and difficult conversations can help. Can my 16 year old daughter get a tattoo?Minors under the age of 18 may not get a tattoo without parental consent. A parent or guardian must either give written, notarized consent for a body piercing or be present during the procedure.
Can you get a tattoo at 16 with parental consent in Act?Tattoos: legal issues
In the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, teenagers under 18 years need to get their parents' permission for tattoos. As a parent, you must give your permission either in person or in writing, and you have to say what type of tattoo you agree to and where.
Can you get a tattoo at 16 with parental consent in Vic?In Victoria, it is illegal to tattoo any person under the age of 18. It is illegal for a body piercer to perform intimate piercing (nipples, genitalia, anal region and perineum) on a person under the age of 18 in Victoria.
Can you get a tattoo at 16 in NC?§ 14-400. Tattooing; body piercing prohibited
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to tattoo the arm, limb, or any part of the body of any other person under 18 years of age. Anyone violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
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