The current restrictions on beauty salons in Australia

It’s almost been three months since the Australian government announced only ‘essential’ businesses could continue operating. The restrictions saw us kiss goodbye our beloved nail and spray tan technicians (figuratively, of course), leaving most of us to brush up on our waxing and diy root touch-up skills at home. 

But it’s starting to look like our unkempt eyebrows and nails might be getting some professional TLC real soon.

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However, until the whole of Australia has been given the green light, it’s easy to get confused about what you can and can’t do, based on government announcements.

So to help you navigate what’s going on in your state beauty-wise, we’ve put together the latest guidelines (from the official govemernment websites) in one helpful state-by-state list.

 Scroll down to find your state for the latest update…

Northern Territory

Stage 3 will commence as of June 5 2020 at midday.

All services offered by beauty therapy, cosmetic services, massage and body art businesses (a personal services business) in the Northern Territory will be able to operate without restrictions provided the operator has submitted a COVID-19 safety plan and put measures in place.

However, the Chief Health Officer (the CHO) may place further requirements on the reopening of personal services businesses.

For more information, see here.

New South Wales

Beauty salons, including nail salons, tanning and waxing salons will be allowed to reopen in NSW on the 1st of June. 

The following safety measures must be followed:

• One person per 4 square metres including both staff and clients
• Max of 10 clients per salon at any one time 
• Ensuring good hand hygiene facilities at venue entry and exit 
• Waiting area seating complies with physical distancing 
• Records of attendance on the business premises
• Exclusion of staff and clients who are unwell

For more information, see here.

South Australia 

Restrictions set to ease as of June 5th 2020, when SA enters stage two. These will extend to beauty salons.

Until then the same restrictions still apply. Hairdressers and barbers can remain open provided the total number of persons present does not exceed one person per 4 square metres.

The following businesses are closed:

• Beauty salons
• Nail salons
• Tattoo parlours
• Beauty therapy or body modification services
• Saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres
• Spas and massage parlours

For more information, see here.

Western Australia 

Restrictions re beauty salons remain unchanged for the moment. Beauty services are set to reopen upon entering phase three. It is predicted phase three will be implemented one month into phase two which began on the 18th of May.

For now, hairdressers and barbers must obey the 4 square meter rule within the premises and personal contact with customers should be minimised. (i.e. either go to the hairdresser or barber alone, or with one other person)Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spa and massage parlours are closed.For more information, see here.

ACT

If the ACT stays on their current path, they could move into phase two as early as the 30th of May.

For now, hairdressers and barbers must obey the 4 square meter rule within the premises and personal contact with customers should be minimised. (i.e. either go to the hairdresser or barber alone, or with one other person)Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spa and massage parlours are closed.For more information, see here.

Victoria

From the 1st of June, beauty salons, spas and tattoo parlours for up to 20 people will reopen. 

For now, hairdressers and barbers must obey the 4 square meter rule within the premises and personal contact with customers should be minimised. (i.e. either go to the hairdresser or barber alone, or with one other person).All beauty salons, spas, nail salons, waxing salons, tanning salons and massage parlours are to remain closed for now.Tattoo parlours, body piercing, skin implants, hair implants, microneedling will remain closed. Unless provided by practitioners registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.For more information, see here.

Queensland

No changes, the 12th of June is the date set to look towards implementing stage two restrictions. 

Hairdressers and barbers must obey the 4 square meter rule within the premises and personal contact with customers should be minimised. (i.e. either go to the hairdresser or barber alone, or with one other person).Tanning, waxing, nail salons and cosmetic injections will remain closed for now.The exception of cosmetic injections which must be provided by health practitioners registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, with social distancing implemented.Tattoo parlours, body piercing, skin implants, hair implants, microneedling will remain closed unless provided by health practitioners registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, with social distancing implemented.Spa and massage parlours currently remain closed.

For more information, seehere.

Tasmania

Stage two restrictions are set to being June 15, which will see beauty services able to reopen.For now, hairdressers and barbers must obey the 4 square meter rule within the premises and personal contact with customers should be minimised. (i.e. either go to the hairdresser or barber alone, or with one other person)Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spa and massage parlours are closed.For more information, seehere.*The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. ** This article has been updated since the original publication date.What treatment are you most looking forward to once restrictions have eased?