Running a successful piercing studio in Australia isn’t just about steady hands and sterile tools, it’s about building a dream team that blends skill, safety, and quality customer service vibes. Whether you’re hiring your first piercer or expanding your workplace, managing new staff comes with unique challenges, from compliance to confidence-building.
What Qualifications Do Piercers Need in Australia? A Guide for Employers Hiring Staff
Before you even post the job ad, you need to know what makes a piercer legally employable in Australia. There are national and state-specific requirements, and skipping these could land you and your studio, in hot water.
Training: other than piercing itself
● Infection Control:
HLTINF005 –Maintain infection Prevention for Skin Penetration Treatments
This is a recommended must-have for any piercer working in Australia. It is legally needed in the state of Qld and WA . It covers critical hygiene practices, sterilization, and reducing transmission risks in the workplace.
● First Aid:
HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid
Not always legally required, but highly recommended and often expected by insurers and councils. Plus, it’s a damn good idea in a job where needles are flying and fainting isn’t uncommon.
Local Council & State Licensing:
Each state has different hoops to jump through. You’ll need to check your local health department or council website, but here’s a cheat sheet:
|
State/Territory |
Licensing/Registration Needed? |
Where to Check |
|
NSW |
Yes – local council registration |
|
|
VIC |
Yes – register with council |
|
|
QLD |
Yes – premises + practitioner licensing |
|
|
SA |
Yes – licensing varies |
|
|
WA, TAS, NT, ACT |
Requirements vary – check with local council |
WA Skin Penetration Guide |
Managing The New Staff in a Piercing Studio: Skills, Training & Compliance
Once you’ve got a qualified piercer in the door, it’s time to train them in the way of your studio. Here’s what to cover:
● Customer Service: Calm under pressure, friendly, and professional. New piercers should know how to read the room eg are they comforting a nervous 16-year-old or handling a full-sleeve tattooed walk-in?
● Clean Habits: This goes beyond infection control. We’re talking about wiping down benches, changing gloves properly, using PPE consistently, and double-checking expiry dates.
● Emotional Intelligence: Some clients cry, panic, or get dizzy. Your piercer should know how to ground them, not freak out.
● Needle handling, marking, jewellery insertion, aftercare explanation — every studio does it a little differently. Use shadowing, repetition, and checklists to build their muscle memory and confidence.
● Proper documentation of every procedure: are they completing consent forms to their full and checking ID
● Understanding your studio’s waste disposal and sharps policy- safe handling of waste is crucial
● Insurance procedures if anything goes wrong- be sure they have the maturity to understand the legal obligations of the studio.
Your First Week:
That first week sets the tone, not just for your new hire, but for your studio. Nail it, and you’ll build loyalty from day one.
● Uniform or dress code (closed shoes, minimal jewellery, long hair tied back, etc.)
● PPE provided: gloves, aprons, face shields if needed
● Personal locker or space for gear
● Studio tour and safety protocols
● Daily check-ins: short and sweet, but consistent
● Then supervise every piercing in the first few days, don’t just throw them in the deep end
● Gradual independence with clear benchmarks
● Introduce them to the full team — piercers, tattoo artists, counter staff
● Encourage buddy systems or mentoring
● Make it clear that asking questions is expected, not judged
Supporting New Graduates in Your Piercing Team
Graduates come with knowledge but not always confidence and that’s where your leadership matters.
What They Don’t Teach in Training:
● How to deal with a walk-in trying to haggle
● How to tell a client their anatomy isn’t suitable for the piercing they want
● How to work fast and clean under pressure
● Use real-world examples to teach them what textbooks can’t
● Be present in those early tricky moments: rejecting a piercing request, handling fainting, dealing with a difficult parent
● Give feedback that’s kind, but constructive “You did great, but next time let’s try this…”
How to Build a Strong Piercing Team
A great studio is more than just one good piercer, it’s about synergy.
● Don’t just hire for skill — hire for attitude
● Ask about problem-solving, not just portfolio
● Test their ability to stay calm, clean, and client-focused
● Set standards for how clients are treated across the board
● Regular team check-ins — monthly meetings or even 10-minute debriefs
● Be open to feedback from junior staff. They often spot things long-timers miss.
● Celebrate milestones (first solo piercing, great client review)
● Let them help choose new jewellery ranges or be involved in creative decisions — they’ll feel more invested
Mentoring vs. Managing
Management keeps the shop running. Mentoring builds the future.
● Pair new staff with a senior piercer for at least their first month
● Set small, achievable goals (“Let’s master lobes this week”)
● Host skill-share sessions monthly
● Encourage note-taking, drawing piercings, or mock marking on synthetic skin
● Use the SBI model:
Situation – “During the nose piercing today…”
Behaviour – “You handled the client beautifully but struggled with jewellery placement.”
Impact – “That could lead to rejection, so let’s go over placement again.”
Do’s and Don’ts When Training New Piercers in Australia
Let’s keep it real, we’ve all seen a good training day go sideways.
● Shadow first, then supervise
● Let them watch experienced staff work and interact
● Create a clear chain of command for questions
● Normalize mistakes — as long as they’re followed up with learning
● Expect them to “just pick it up”, structured learning matters
● Leave them alone too early, it damages client trust
● Ignore the emotional side of the job (piercers take on a lot!)
● Skip over paperwork — documentation protects everyone
The piercing industry is growing fast, and your staff are the backbone of your studio’s success. By giving new hires a solid understanding legally, practically, and emotionally, you don’t just create good piercers. You build a team that thrives, supports each other, and helps your business shine.
Because at the end of the day, the tools, the gloves, the training, they’re all important. But it’s the community you build that keeps clients coming back and staff sticking around.
All the best in your journeys
- Jaz Anna
