WORK WE HAVE DONE AND WHAT IT HAS ACHIEVED

WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED

One of the main achievements of the ATG has been the creation of a platform which unites and actively represents Australian Tattooists.

The work of the ATG, in consultation with the profession continues to create a responsible and professional identity for the Australian tattooing community.

The ATG have previously held several member exhibitions which have highlighted the exceptional talent of Australian tattooists. It is one of the aims of the organisation to continue to raise events which showcase its members work.

The focus of any work the ATG undertakes with Governments is done in an endeavour to raise awareness of the high level of practice within the art form, the culture of the profession and ensure that any potential future regulation is informed and positively supports the profession.

Through the work of the ATG and the support of its members the following outcomes have been achieved:

The former Tattoo Parlours Act QLD 2013 was renamed the Tattoo Industry Act 2013
Repeal of the use of secret criminal intelligence in the determination of license applications under the QLD Act
A person can now be given the reason for the decision if their license application is denied under the QLD Act
Licensees can renew their license, rather than having to reapply each year under the QLD Act
Licenses can be renewed for a period of 1-3 years, rather than only 1 year under the QLD Act
Renewing applicants to rely on finger and palm prints previously collected for tattoo license renewals which previously had to be resubmitted on renewal under the QLD Act
Visiting tattooists can receive more than 2 permits per year under the QLD Act
Removal of the requirement to secure identification of Landlord in application of an operator’s license under the QLD Act
Consultation with the S.A Government influenced the decision to implement a registration scheme rather than a licensing scheme for use within the Tattoo Industry Act S.A 2016
Input to various Government and independent reviews has informed the commonly held perception of the profession
Submission presented to the NSW Government re Tattoo Parlours Act review 2018.
Consultation and campaigning in NSW continues to raise awareness around the profession
Development of Covid Business Continuation Plan and Safety Guideline for submission to Government's and use by industry in 2020
Campaign Governments Nationally re the ability of tattoo studios to resume operation safely at the return to work after the Covid 19 restrictions were lifted.
Partake in requested consultation with QLD Health re the development of a draft Ink standard for use in QLD.
Publish Submission to the Debt Reduction and Savings Bill 2021 QLD(DRSB) and attend inquiry hearing.
Raise a campaign to address issues within the DRSB, including an online Petition “Save the Inks” which saw the removal of the proposed amendment 48a from the DRSB.
Publish a report to the Queensland Health Department regarding percived issues with the departments proposed draft Ink standard in May 2022
Continue to liaise with Insurance Industry stakeholders in an endeavour to inform and change the current insurance landscape
Submission presented to NSWPF Public consultation for re make of licensing regulation in NSW 2023
Report presented to the NSW Minister of Police highlighting ongoing legislative issues and impacts of recent regulatory changes - June 2024

The ATG continue to play a vital support role for members of the profession who are experiencing difficulties with licensing issues as well as assisting its members with any issues they experience in their working practice.

WORK WE HAVE DONE

Below is an ordered list of the documentation prepared by the ATG for submission to various Government Taskforce and reviews. Information regarding the culture of the tattoo industry both current and historical can also be found within some of these documents.

An insight into the working evolution of the ATG can be gained by reading these documents in their chronological order.

The ATG Committee sincerely thank all the great men and women of the professional tattooing community who have contributed to the ongoing development of the work of our organisation.

Thanks also to the many academics, legal practitioners, members of Government, Independent Organisations, members of the public and the media who continue to support us.

Special thanks to Civil Liberties Australia for their substantial contribution and support to the work of the ATG.

Links to Government Legislation and Health Act's can be found at the bottom of this page.

REPORT TO NSW MINISTER OF POLICE RE ONGOING LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AND IMPACTS OF RECENT REGULATORY CHANGES

June 2024 ATG President and Vice President met with the NSW Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism, Yasmin Catley and other Government officials to discuss ongoing issues being experienced by professional tattooers in NSW. A report was compiled to document a number of issues. Impact statements which were provided by industry participants are included within the report.

The ATG report to the NSW Minister of Police can be found here.

SUBMISSION TO NSW POLICE FORCE FOR RE-MAKE OF LICENSING REGULATION IN NSW 2023

June 2023 - the NSW Police Force announced a public consultation to inform their draft regulations for the administration of the Tattoo Industry Act 2012 NSW.

The ATG submission on NSW Tattoo Industry Regulation can be found here.

REPORT TO THE QLD HEALTH DEPARTMENT INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INK STANDARD FOR THE STATE OF QLD

February 2022 - the Queensland Health department contacted the ATG with an invitation to recommence stakeholder consultation in regards to the departments proposed draft for an Ink Standard for use within the State of QLD. During the round table talks the ATG sought a pause in the discussions to undertake further research and consultations with overseas manufacturers and industry.

16th May 2022 - The findings of this research was presented to the department in the form of a report.

The ATG report can be viewed here.

SUBMISSION TO THE ECONOMICS AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NSW ON THE DEBT REDUCTION AND SAVINGS BILL 2021

29th March 2021 - ATG received Stakeholder alert Economics Governance Committee - call for submissions and inquiry process - Debt Reduction and savings BILL 2019.

Between 31st March and 16th April the ATG undertook extensive Member and industry consultation in order to inform our submission to the Inquiry.

19th April 2021 - the ATG formally presented its submission to the Economics and Governance Committee into the Debt Reduction and Savings Bill 2021. The submission can be viewed below.

The ATG Submission can be viewed here.

SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON RED TAPE;
THE EFFECT OF RED TAPE ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

In May 2018 the ATG were formally invited to present a submission to the Select Senate Inquiry into Red Tape.

May 2018 - Member Consultation

May 2018 - Development of draft submission

May 2018 - Submit to review

The ATG Submission to the Federal Senate Inquiry into Red Tape can be viewed here

SUBMISSION TO THE NSW TATTOO PARLOURS ACT REVIEW 2017

In May 2017 the NSW Justice Department announced a review into the Tattoo Parlours Act NSW 2012

MAY-JUNE - 2017 - Member Consultation

JUNE 2017 -Development of draft submission

JULY 2017 - Presentation of final draft to Members

AUG 2017 - Submit to review

The ATG Submission to the NSW TPA Review can be viewed here

AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW REVIEW

In March 2016 the ATG were formally invited to contribute to the ACL review.

APRIL-MAY 2016 - Consultation with profession

MAY 2016 - Submission drafted

MAY 2016 - ATG Submission Presented

You can view the ATG Submission to the ACL here

SUBMISSION LICENSING AND REGULATION OF THE TATTOO INDUSTRY AUSTRALIA 2015

You can view the ATG Submission re: Licensing and Regulation of the Tattoo Industry in Australia here:

ATG Submission 2015

MAY 2014 - Development of ATG Research Document

May 2014 - Development of accompaniment Submission by Civil Liberties Australia (CLA)

AUG 2014 - First ATG Draft Submission

SEP 2014 – JAN 2015 Draft open for consultation of profession

FEB 2015 - Second Draft open for consultation of profession

MAY 2015 - Final Draft presented to profession

JUNE 2015 – PUBLISHED ATG/CLA Submission – NSW Government

JUNE 2015 – PUBLISHED ATG/CLA Submission – QLD government

AUGUST 2015 – Submitted to VLRC (Victorian Law Reform Commission)

AUGUST 2015 – Submitted to Commission on Organised Crime QLD

You can view the Civil Liberties Australia accompaniment submission below:

CLA Submission

VICTORIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION – USE OF REGULATORY REGIMES IN PREVENTING THE INFILTRATION OF ORGANISED CRIME GROUPS INTO LAWFUL OCCUPATIONS - REPORT

MAY 2015 – VLRC review announced, consultation paper published

JUNE 2015 - Draft ATG response

JUNE - JULY - Consultation with profession

JULY 2015 – ATG Committee attends roundtable discussion with other industry representatives

AUG 2015 – Submit ATG Submission re: Licensing and Regulation of the Tattoo Industry in Australia / ATG response to questions as outlined within VLRC consultation paper/ Supporting Documentation published

OCT 2016 - Final report of VLRC published in Parliament Vic

The VLRC Consultation Paper can be viewed here

The ATG RESPONSE to the VLRC Consultation Paper can be viewed here

The VLRC Final Report can be viewed here

QLD TASKFORCE ON ORGANISED CRIME LEGISLATION

FEB 2015 - Taskforce announced

MARCH - MAY 2015 - Consultation with profession

APRIL - JUNE 2015 - Development draft Submission

JUNE 2015 - Final draft presented to profession

JULY 2015 - ATG Submission submitted to Taskforce

AUG 2015 - Invitation to appear at Parliamentary hearing on the Gold Coast attended.

The ATG thank leaders of our profession Mr Matt Cunnington, Mr Luke Braniff and Mr Shane Coley along with all ATG members in QLD for their input and assistance during the Taskforce review.

You can view the ATG submission here

Report of the Taskforce on Organised Crime Legislation here

MODEL FOR INDUSTRY SELF REGULATION

Between late 2015 and mid 2016 the committee of the ATG consulted with a group of leaders from our profession regarding the potential for a model of self-regulation to be developed for use by the professional tattooing community.

This draft model was abandoned due to the perception that broader consultation and input from the wider profession was needed prior to its further development. The ATG currently have no intention of using this draft model. This document is displayed here for the sole purpose of providing insight into the work previously undertaken by the organisation.

MARCH - OCT 2015 - Private consultations held with leaders of profession

NOV-FEB 2016 -Draft development of model

FEB-MARCH 2016 - Model presented to leaders for review

APRIL-MAY 2016 -Edit/ amendments as per review

JUNE 2016 - Second draft presented to leaders

JULY 2016 - Leaders edits completed - document archived

Leaders of the profession consulted; Jane Laver, Matt Cunnington, Duane Cash, Kian Forreal, Evan Griffiths, Jenny Roach, Les Rice, Adam Kitamoto, Shane Coley, Luke Braniff, Ray Shuttelworth, Geordie Cole, Josh Roelink, Colin Creed

You can view the draft Model for Self Regulation here

NSW REPORT TO GOVERNMENT 2015

This report was developed for the Minister of Fair Trading in an endeavour to engage the NSW Government in dialogue re the ongoing issues being experienced by professional tattooists on the ground as a direct consequence of the licensing regime.

The NSW Report can be viewed here

INDUSTRY IMPACT STATEMENTS

Impact statements are an important and powerful tool as they express and document the impact of current licensing regimes on the individual. These statements have been used as supporting documentation in ATG consultation with Government and are attached as supporting documentation to any report or Submission presented by the ATG.

You can view impact statements made by members of the profession here

If you would be interested in providing our organisation with a statement that reflects your personal experience as a tattoo artist, tattoo studio owner or even as a member of the public who has gotten tattooed, email: atgartists@gmail.com

LINKS TO THE ATG FOUNDING DOCUMENTS

The ATG Code of Conduct can be viewed here

The ATG Duty of Care can be viewed here

STATE HEALTH GUIDELINES

NSW

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/tattooing.aspx

VIC

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/personal-care-body-art-industries/body-art-tattoo-businesses-infection-prevention

S.A

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/protecting+public+health/hairdressing+body+art+and+piercing/skin+penetration+guidelines

N.T

https://nt.gov.au/industry/licences/register-or-renew-a-hairdressing-beauty-therapy-or-body-art-business/hair-beauty-tattoo-regulations

W.A

http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Health-for/Industry-trade-and-business/Personal-appearance

TAS

http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/public_health_act2