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Health licences

Index of health licences

Hairdressers

Open a new premises

Check you are allowed to operate at the address

As some areas of the city are zoned to prevent commercial activity, the first thing you must do is check with a planning officer that a hairdressers' shop can operate at the address. Planners will also advise you about operating requirements in the area, including parking and lighting.
 

Get building consent

If you are building a new premises or altering an existing building, you will need building consent. If you intend to install toilets, sinks or wash basins you will need building consent for the plumbing and drainage work.

It's a good idea consult an environmental health officer before carrying out the following activities:

  • building and plumbing alterations
  • partitions
  • installation of large appliances or shelving
  • removal of doors, windows, ventilation
  • application of spray coat textures 

This will ensure that you are not breaching the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 or building regulations, and decreases the chances of needing remedial work done later on.
 

Learn the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980

It is essential to familiarise yourself with the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980. This sets out

  • the structural criteria for hairdressers' shops
  • the conduct and practices of hairdressers.

The regulations can be purchased from Whitcoulls government bookshop in Queen Street, Auckland.
 

Get a health licence

Before you apply for a licence, we recommend that you contact us first to discuss your plans.

Then download and complete the Registration of hairdressers shop - application form (133k PDF) and send your registration form and fee to Auckland City Council.

There is a $130 administration fee for any new premises plus an annual registration fee of $167. The total payable to licence a new premises is $297.

Contact us for more information about setting up your shop.

All hairdressers shops need to be registered by the local authority under the Health (Registration of premises) Regulations 1966. The certificate of Registration needs to be displayed in a public part of the premises.

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Take over an existing premises

If you take over an existing premises, you must notify us and complete a registration form. The transfer fee is $72.

If you want to transfer the licence and it has expired, or if it is due for renewal, you have 14 days to do so. After this period, the licence can not be transferred or renewed and you will have to apply for a new licence at an additional cost of $130.

Renew your licence

Licences expire on 31 July each year, you will receive a renewal application from us before this.

When you receive it, you must apply for renewal within 14 days of the expiry date by:

The renewal licence fee is $167.

If we have not received your application within 14 days, the licence will lapse and you will need to apply for a new licence at an additional cost of $130.

Hygiene

Wash hand basins and sinks

You will need a minimum of a shampoo sink, a cleansing sink for cleaning equipment and a wash hand basin.

Sinks should be used for their designated purpose only. The wash hand basin must be within six metres of all hair cutting chairs. It must have hot and cold running water, soap (anti-bacterial), nail brush and a towel or paper towels.
 

Cleaning

Towels and protective coverings

A laundered towel or single use paper towel must be used for each customer. Any used towel should be stored in a clean covered container such as a laundry basket. Freshly laundered towels need to be stored in a clean, dust free location. 

Laundering should not be carried out in the service area of the shop.

Protective coverings used on customers should not be shaken vigorously to avoid hair dispersing into the service area. Reasonable precautions should be taken to prevent the air in the shop becoming polluted by cut hair.
 

Equipment

All tools and equipment, such as scissors and combs, should not be used on customers unless they have been cleaned in the following manner:

  1. Remove hair
  2. Wash in warm water using a suitable detergent.
  3. Dry with clean cloth or towel.
  4. Soak for 30 minutes in a suitable disinfectant (ensure that the disinfectant covers the whole comb and is used according to manufacturer's directions).
  5. Rinse in clean water and dry.
  6. Store in a manner that prevents recontamination.

Razors and clippers or any other instruments with non-detachable parts should be cleaned by:

  1. Thoroughly brushing teeth or blades with a clean brush to remove hair (used exclusively for this purpose).
  2. Wiping the blades with clean cotton wool or cloth saturated with disinfecting fluid.

Shaving brushes, mugs and sponges should be immersed in boiling water for five minutes after each use.

Note - 

  • ultra violet cabinets are satisfactory for storage but not effective for disinfection
  • disposable blades should be used wherever possible.
     

Refreshments

Many hairdressers serve refreshments such as tea, coffee and other beverages to customers, however it should be noted that refreshments should not be served in the hair cutting area. 

Strict control on service utensils must occur so that harmful bacteria such as hepatitis, colds and flu's are not transmitted through inadequately cleaned cups or crockery cups which are washed and sterilised after each use by either:

  • a dishwasher that has a 10 second rinse cycle at 77°C, or
  • a sterilising unit.

Milk must be stored in a fridge at a maximum temperature of 4°C.
 

Dogs on the premises

Only guide dogs certified by the NZ Foundation for the Blind are permitted in hairdressers' shops.

Updated July 2008
Copyright © 2007 Auckland City Council. All rights reserved.