Register a beauty, hair or health business

If you're starting or buying a new beauty, hair or health business, or taking over an existing one in the City of Stonnington, your business must be registered with Council. This applies to businesses that will offer: 

  • ear piercing
  • body piercing
  • tattooing
  • colonic irrigation
  • manicures or pedicures
  • waxing or threading
  • electrolysis
  • acupuncture
  • skin beauty treatments, such as facials, laser treatment, dermabrasion, dry needling, foot spa, cosmetic tattooing)
  • hairdressing
  • wigs or hair extensions
  • beauty services, such as make-up, spray tan, eyebrow or eyelash tinting, and eyelash extensions.

Follow the steps below to register your beauty, hair or health business and/or have your fit-out plans assessed.

Key information

Building or renovating a premises?

Before you build or renovate a premises for a beauty, hair or health business, we advise that you apply for a Fit-out Assessment (formerly Plans Approval). Council will assess your floor plans and make recommendations to ensure that the proposed plan meets the legal requirements. 

Follow the steps under Registration and fit-out if you want to apply for a Fit-out Assessment at the same time as applying to register your business. Otherwise, follow the steps under Fit-out only.

If you choose to proceed with your fit-out without Council's approval of your floor plans, please be aware that you may incur unnecessary or additional expenses to rectify non-compliances.

If you're taking over an existing beauty, hair or health business and you are not making any structural changes to the premises, you do not need a Fit-out Assessment. However, we recommend that you request a Property Enquiry Report. The report informs you of any instances where the business may not meet the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Registration only

Know your business address

You must know the address of your premises before you apply because we can't process your application or provide accurate advice without it.

Request a report on the property you are buying (optional)

If you're buying an existing beauty, hair or health business, we can provide a Property Enquiry Report that contains important details including:

  • any non-compliant cleanliness or maintenance items we've identified
  • information about the current registration (e.g. annual cost and expiry date).  

Apply for other permits (if required)

You can save time by applying for a Building Permit and Planning Permit before registering your beauty, hair or health business. We recommend applying for these permits at the same time.

If you plan to trade on the footpath, you may need a Footpath Trading Permit.

Use our Permit Finder if you’re not sure what permits you need. 

Submit your application 

Apply now

If you prefer a paper or PDF form, please contact us.

Have your premises inspected

Before you begin operating, an Environmental Health Officer will contact you to organise a time to visit your premises.

We'll then send you a report letting you know if your business is compliant or if there are any issues you need to address before you begin operating.

Pay the registration fee

Once we've inspected your premises and approve your registration, we'll email you an invoice for the business registration fee. You can pay this online.

Start trading

We will send your Certificate of Registration via email.

You’re now ready to trade in the City of Stonnington!

Registration and fit-out

Fit-out only