East Gippsland hairdressing businesses will benefit thanks to a State Government initiative that will see the Victorian hairdressing industry save up to $240,000 a year under proposals to cut registration red tape, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said.

The Public Health & Wellbeing (Hairdressing Red Tape Reduction) Bill introduced in State Parliament last week means that hairdressers and make-up businesses will only have to register once with local councils – rather than annually renewing.

Mr Bull said cleanliness and hygiene standards will still be enforced by local councils, but the change will remove the need for registration renewal.

Higher-risk personal care and body art businesses involving skin penetration, such as tattooing, body piercing and colonic irrigation, will still require periodic renewals.

“This change recognises that hairdressers are not a high-risk in terms of compliance with public health standards,” Mr Bull said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to cutting red tape for businesses, and this amendment for hairdressers makes good sense.

“There are around 4,000 hairdressing and barbering businesses in Victoria, and most of them are very small enterprises.

“They are still required to ensure that their premises, equipment and work systems are clean and hygienic, and do not put public health at risk.

“Public health continues to be the number one priority under the proposed amendments and local councils will continue to monitor and enforce compliance with health standards.

“The change will, however, give councils the chance to focus on businesses that pose a more serious risk to public health and safety,” Mr Bull said.