If a police officer or other legally authorized person (such as a local government employee) thinks you just received cigarettes, they may ask for proof of your age, as well as your name and address. If they find out that you obtained the cigarettes illegally, they may take them away from you and not have to return them. Discuss legal issues It`s a good idea to talk about legal issues related to tattoos and piercings in your state. Your child may not know that they can`t get tattooed until a certain age. Talk about your feelings It`s okay to let your child know how you feel about tattooing or piercing. You might feel good about it, you might really hate the idea, or your feelings might be somewhere in between. In Western Australia, teenagers under the age of 18 can get pierced with their parents` permission. This restriction does not apply to piercings performed for medical or therapeutic purposes. Talk to someone with a tattoo You and your child might find it helpful to talk to someone who has a tattoo or piercing to get a different point of view. You might ask how the person first felt about the tattoo or piercing and how they feel about it now. You can also ask if it had any negative consequences or if the person would do things differently now. The agreement must contain information on the nature of the procedure and how it is to be carried out. It should also include information on how you should take care of the area of your body where you will have the procedure performed.

The only time you don`t need to make a written agreement is if you want an earlobe piercing and you`re 16 or older. If you`re having trouble talking to your child about tattoos or piercings, our articles on negotiation, conflict management, problem solving, and difficult conversations can help. The Youth Advocacy Centre provides a community-based legal and social service to youth up to the age of 18. You will see many people, young and old, with piercings and tattoos. Even if you have mixed feelings, it can be helpful to know that many people feel good about them — or don`t even notice them. You must be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo. A tattoo parlor may ask for proof of age if they think you are under 18. It is illegal to tattoo someone under the age of 18, even if your parent or guardian agrees.

There are other things worth talking about with your child if they want a tattoo or piercing. These are: The law on piercings depends on the type of piercing you want and your age. If you have negative feelings about tattoos or piercings, your child may be more willing to listen to them if you calmly « assume » your feelings rather than trying to transfer your values to your child or tell them what to do. For example, « I don`t like the idea of you getting tattooed at 16 because you might decide you won`t like it in 5 years. And then it gets difficult and it costs you a lot of money to get rid of it. If your child wants to get pierced or tattooed, talking about it together is a good first step. Here are some ideas to help you have a positive conversation with your child. Non-intimate areas In the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Queensland, teenagers under the age of 18 can get piercings if they can make an informed and reasonable judgment about them.

(1) In this section, « drilling » means piercing a part of the body for the purpose of inserting a rod, needle, ring, bolt or similar component. In Western Australia, it is illegal to tattoo or mark someone under the age of 18 without the written consent of a parent or guardian. This law also applies to the execution of intimate and non-intimate piercings. Youth Law Australia is a legal advice service for young people under the age of 18. You can give free legal advice by email. If your child wants a very visible or very large tattoo or piercing that you don`t want, you can compromise on size or location. Another option might be to delay tattooing or piercing until your child is older. For example, you could offer to pay for your child`s 18th birthday if they want another one.

It is illegal to lie about your age, use false evidence, or lie about your guardian`s permission to have you tattooed, pierced, or altered if you are a minor. It is also illegal to help someone else with this. In New South Wales, piercers are not allowed to give piercings to teenagers under the age of 16 in intimate areas such as genitals or nipples, even if teenagers have parental permission. Womens Health Queensland Wide provides information on health conditions, including piercing and smoking. Community legal centres provide legal advice on a range of topics. Contact them to find out if they can help In the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory, there are no specific rules for intimate piercings. Important: This general information is not the same as legal advice. You should talk to a lawyer about your situation. The information is based on a Western Australian context. A tattoo or piercing carries certain risks. In Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, teenagers under the age of 16 need parental permission to break through. As a parent, you need to say where the piercing can be.

People who have certain conditions or take certain medications are at a higher risk of infection or complications, so they should avoid piercings or tattoos. If this sounds like your child, it`s a good idea to check with your GP to see if a tattoo is safe. A parent cannot consent to their child (under the age of 18) having a piercing on any of these parts. If you`re under 18, it`s illegal for someone to break through yours: the law doesn`t say when you can smoke cigarettes, but it`s illegal to pretend you`re 18 or older to buy them. If the piercing is in an intimate area (nipples, genitals, area, perineum or uvula), no one is legally allowed to do it with you until the age of 18, even if you want to. It is also illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to have their ears pierced without the consent of a parent or guardian. When you`re 18, you can decide if you want to get any type of piercing. It`s up to you. There is no specific age to get other types of piercings. If you are under 18, you can agree to be pierced without your parents` consent if you are able to make an informed and reasoned decision. While you don`t need your parents` consent under the law, many piercing studios may still require it. If you are under 16, you can only get a piercing if you have your parents` permission (in person or in writing).

If this has happened to you, seek legal advice as soon as possible. Call our free legal advice on 1300 366 424. The following law applies whether you see a professional piercer or ask a friend to perform your piercing. Young people get tattooed and pierced for many reasons. For example, you may want to: If you are under 18, it is illegal for someone to make a body modification on you, such as earlobe stretching, scarring, or splitting tongue.