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 or viewed online at viewed online
(www.legislation.govt.nz).
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 Council.
Fees to licence a new premises are:
- an administration fee for any new premises of $159 (inclusive GST); and
- an annual registration fee of $186 (inclusive GST).
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.
To view PDFs download Acrobat Reader
from the Adobe
website.
Further help on how to view PDFs.
Take over an existing premises
If you take over an existing premises, you must notify us and complete a
registration form: Registration
of hairdressers shop - application form (133k PDF).
If there is an existing licence then you can apply to
transfer this licence into your name. Transfer fee applications cost $80
(inclusive GST). Applications must be received within 14 days of you taking over
the business. After this period, the licence lapses and can not be transferred.
If there is no current licence then a new licence needs to be applied for.
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 $189 (inclusive GST).
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
$159 (inclusive GST).
If you haven't received a renewal form you can download one here: Registration
of hairdressers shop - application form (133k PDF)
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:
- Remove hair
- Wash in warm water using a suitable detergent.
- Dry with clean cloth or towel.
- Soak for 30 minutes in a suitable disinfectant (ensure that the
disinfectant covers the whole comb and is used according to manufacturer's
directions).
- Rinse in clean water and dry.
- Store in a manner that prevents recontamination.
Razors and clippers or any other instruments with non-detachable parts should
be cleaned by:
- Thoroughly brushing teeth or blades with a clean brush to remove hair
(used exclusively for this purpose).
- 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 October 2011
