Overview

Generally speaking, there is an absence of legislation in most Australian jurisdictions that specifically addresses training, licensing and competency levels required to operate intense pulsed light (IPL) devices (ARPANSA; Jayanata et al., 2026). The one exception to this is Tasmania, which requires IPL operators to be licensed. As part of this process, operators must demonstrate relevant qualifications as well as specific training in the device they intend to use (Tasmanian Department of Health, 2026).

Whilst there is a lack of legislation specific to IPL use in all jurisdictions other than Tasmania, PCBUs and workers who use IPL still have regulations to follow in all states and territories. It is important for people to understand these regulations not just from a compliance perspective, but also to ensure the quality and safe provision of healthcare and cosmetic services.

This article is intended to provide general information about regulations that may apply to the use of IPL devices in Australia. It is not legal advice. Requirements differ between jurisdictions and may change over time, and the author does not have a legal background. Readers should confirm any regulatory or licensing obligations with the relevant state or territory regulator, local council, or a qualified legal professional before acting on the information in this guide.

Model WHS Laws and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

Whilst there are no provisions that apply directly to intense pulsed light, PCBUs must follow the basic principles outlined by work health and safety (WHS) law, or occupational health and safety (OHS) law in Victoria. Whilst the details vary slightly between jurisdictions, the commonality is that PCBUs, or employers in Victoria, must identify hazards, assess risk and ensure that risk is eliminated or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduced so far as is reasonably practicable (Safe Work Australia, 2025; Victorian Government, 2004). These duties extend beyond workers to other people affected by the work, which includes clients receiving IPL treatment (Safe Work Australia, 2025; Victorian Government, 2004). Meanwhile, workers or employees must comply with reasonable instructions designed to keep themselves and others safe (Safe Work Australia, 2025; Victorian Government, 2004). State and territory regulators, such as WorkSafe Victoria, provide guidance on how to apply this risk management approach. Laser Safety Compliance Australia’s IPL risk management framework, which is a freely accessible resource, outlines a practical approach to implementing risk management in the workplace. There is also an accompanying voluntary self-audit checklist which workplaces may find beneficial.

The National Law and IPL

The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law governs registered health practitioners, such as doctors, nurses and optometrists who hold Ahpra registration (Thomas et al., 2026).

The National Law does not regulate IPL itself, and it does not regulate healthcare workers who are not registered with Ahpra (National Health Practitioner Ombudsman, 2024). In line with the National Law, registered practitioners must follow their board’s code of conduct, comply with Ahpra’s advertising rules and hold professional indemnity insurance. Ahpra-registered practitioners should also be aware of any guidelines issued by their National Board that relate to cosmetic procedures.

The National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers

Unregistered health practitioners are not covered by the National Law. However, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia have adopted the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers (Thomas et al., 2026). Tasmania has also introduced a Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Care Workers, which commenced on 24 June 2026 (Health Complaints Commissioner Tasmania, 2026). When adopted by state laws, the National Code outlines the obligations of unregistered healthcare workers, such as providing health services in a safe and ethical way and maintaining a good standard of infection control (NSW Government, 2022; Thomas et al., 2026). However, it only applies to people providing a “health service”, and cosmetic treatment providers may not always be treated as a health service (National Health Practitioner Ombudsman, 2024). Because the definition of a health service varies between jurisdictions, operators who are unsure whether the Code applies to them should check with the regulator in their state or territory.

The Australian Consumer Law and IPL

The Australian Consumer Law applies to all businesses and this extends to those providing IPL treatments, regardless of whether the operator is a registered health practitioner. It is set out in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and has been adopted by each state and territory, so the same rules apply nationally.

As a brief overview, providers must not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct or make false representations about their services. Services need to be provided with due care and skill and be reasonably fit for their intended purpose.

Australian Capital Territory

Businesses in the ACT that perform skin penetration procedures must be licensed and follow the requirements of the Infection Control for Office Practices and Other Community Based Services Code of Practice (2005). Similar to other jurisdictions, the ACT defines skin penetration as any process that involves piercing, cutting, puncturing or tearing of a human body (ACT Government, 2026). However, unlike some other jurisdictions, the ACT definition does not include cutting, shaving or hair dyeing (ACT Government, 2026). Therefore, a skin penetration licence may not be necessary for PCBUs who only perform IPL; however, businesses should confirm this directly with ACT Health.

New South Wales

Beauty salons are required to meet the standards set out in Schedule 2 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (NSW Government, 2021). Under these standards, the premises must be clean and in good repair, and must be provided with facilities that are adequate for the purpose of keeping beauty treatment appliances and utensils clean (NSW Government, 2021).

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, beauty therapy businesses need to be registered with the Department of Health under the Public and Environmental Health Regulations 2014. These businesses must adhere to the regulations and supporting guidelines, which primarily focus on infection control (Northern Territory Government, 2014). Procedures performed by a registered health practitioner do not require registration (Northern Territory Government, 2026).

Queensland

Under the Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003, businesses providing ‘higher risk’ personal appearance services, which involve skin penetration, must be licensed by their local council (Queensland Government, 2003). Because IPL is not classed as higher risk, it does not require a licence from the local council; however, it must still follow the requirements of the Infection Control Guidelines for Personal Appearance Services (City of Gold Coast). The Act does not apply to personal appearance services provided in a health-care facility (Queensland Government, 2003).

South Australia

In South Australia, the Guidelines on the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin Penetration (2004) apply to hair removal and other beauty therapies, as well as procedures such as waxing and electrolysis. These guidelines mainly relate to infection control, and compliance is monitored by authorised officers under the Public Health Act, who can inspect premises and serve notices (Government of South Australia, 2026).

Tasmania

Tasmania is the only jurisdiction with legislation that directly references IPL. Queensland and Western Australia also regulate the cosmetic use of lasers, but these requirements do not extend to IPL (ARPANSA; Tasmanian Government, 2026). IPL in Tasmania is regulated by the Radiation Protection Act (2005), the supporting Radiation Protection Regulations (2026) and the Standard for Radiation Place (2011).

Readers should refer to the Tasmanian Department of Health for primary information regarding IPL licensing and regulations in Tasmania. However, a brief summary is as follows:

1.      Unless exempted, a radiation licence is required to deal with an IPL in Tasmania. Whether a licence is granted primarily depends on whether the applicant has adequate training and experience. The criteria vary based on the profession but often include completion of a laser safety course, training in the specific parameters of the device to be used, and registration with professional bodies. The full details are outlined by the Tasmanian Department of Health (2026).

2.      A radiation source, such as an IPL, must have a certificate of compliance in order to be authorised for use.

3.      A place where an IPL is stored and used requires a certificate of registration and must comply with the following requirements, as outlined by the Radiation Protection Unit Tasmania (2011):

–       Entrances to IPL rooms must display a laser warning sign.

–       IPL rooms must be arranged to reduce the likelihood of specular reflection where this poses a hazard.

–       Access to the treatment room must be controlled.

–       All persons must be able to access appropriate IPL safety eyewear before entering the treatment room.

–       IPL radiation should be contained within the room.

Victoria

In Victoria, the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 is supported by the Infection prevention and control guidelines for the hair, beauty, tattooing and skin penetration industries (Victorian Government, 2008, 2019). Under these guidelines, employers using IPL need to ensure that staff undergo training before using an IPL, that staff and clients have protective eyewear, and that infection control procedures are followed based on the device used.

Under the Act, beauty therapy businesses must be registered with their local council before opening, and environmental health officers monitor compliance with the Act (City of Greater Geelong, 2026; Victorian Government, 2008).

Western Australia

In Western Australia, any PCBU performing skin penetration procedures is required to follow both the Health (Skin Penetration Procedures) Regulations 1998 and the Code of Practice for Skin Penetration Procedures. Although the code of practice does not specifically mention IPL, it does include shaving as a skin penetration procedure. This is important because shaving is commonly undertaken prior to IPL. Where a business shaves clients before IPL treatment, Laser Safety Compliance Australia recommends that the business follows the regulations and code of practice.

Under the regulations and code of practice, anyone performing skin penetration procedures must ensure that they are familiar with infection control and safe working procedures (Government of Western Australia Department of Health, 2026). Employers have a responsibility to provide adequate staff training to ensure that appropriate infection control procedures and safe working practices are maintained (Government of Western Australia Department of Health, 2026). Skin penetration clinics are regulated by local governments, which can inspect premises through environmental health officers (Government of Western Australia Department of Health, 2026).