Teens and tattoos was a topic recently chewed over on the TSC Facebook page and came about from an interesting car conversation on the way to school with Mr16. Being un-inked myself, but with no negative thoughts on tattoos, I was shocked when he told me a number of his peers were sporting ink. What the??
The kids I’m talking about are in their final year of schooling. Currently in Queensland, the majority of students complete Year12 aged 17. They’re not legally of age to vote and they are unable to lawfully purchase alcohol or cigarettes. BUT more than half a dozen of them have been able to permanently mark their skin.
Maybe I’m old and crusty, but I think I’d hit the proverbial roof if my school-aged teen came home with a tatt. I appreciate tattoos are quite the thing and long removed from the drunken-sailor stereotype of past. Indeed I have many friends with tattoos which I think are not only beautiful but meaningful reminders of life events. Given the right time and occasion, I’d possibly even consider a discreet one myself … BUT
… something tells me the words teens and tattoos just don’t belong in the same sentence.
A real concern I have is the underdeveloped ‘rational thinking bit’ of a teen brain… and this could very easily lead to a tattoo design which may be regretted sooner than the initial bravado believes. Hmmm … ya think?
Once legally an adult… which of course in Australia is 18, I believe decisions and their consequences lay in the lap of the said new grown up. I see a huge difference between legally making what could end up a regrettable choice… and one made by a minor which may be irreversible or expensive to remove.
Before a teen celebrates reaching the magic milestone of 18, the law has a duty of care to protect our youth when it comes to all things booze, smokes and tatts. Luckily the website Lawstuff is a terrific resource for the legal ins and outs of these issues and here’s what I learnt on their site about teens and tattoos ….
New South Wales
In New South Wales the legal age to get a tattoo without a parent’s permission is 18.
If you are under 18 you need your parent’s permission. The permission must state the type of tattoo and the position on your body where the tattoo will be done. Your parent can give their permission in person or in writing. Without this permission it is a criminal offence for someone to tattoo you or make a permanent mark or design on your skin.
Queensland
In Queensland the legal age you can get a tattoo is 18. If you are under 18 it is a criminal offence for someone to tattoo you. It does not matter if you have parental permission.
Victoria
In Victoria the legal age you can get a tattoo at is 18. If you are under 18, it is a criminal offence for someone to tattoo you or make a permanent mark or design on your skin. It does not matter if you have parental permission.
South Australia
In South Australia the legal age to get a tattoo is 18. If you are under 18 it is a criminal offence for someone to tattoo you.Tasmania
Western Australia
In Western Australia the legal age to get a tattoo without a parent’s permission is 18.
If you are under 18 you must have the written permission of a parent before you can get a tattoo. The permission must state the type of tattoo and the position on your body where the tattoo will be done. Without this permission it is a criminal offence for someone to tattoo you or make a permanent mark or design on your skin.
NT and Tasmania
In the Northern Territory and Tasmania there is no law which says how old you have to be to get a tattoo or body piercing. If you are under 18 it will depend on whether you are able to give valid consent.
There is no fixed age at which you can consent before you turn 18. It always depends on whether the piercer or tattooist thinks you fully understand what is involved. In deciding whether or not you understand they will need to consider:
- your age and maturity;
- the tattoos or type of piercings and where you want them
- whether you understand the long term impact of the piercing or tattoo, what it involves, and things that might go wrong (like side-effects from infections, or other complications).
In practice, many studios may still require parental permission.
So there you have it, the legalities of teen ink around our nation. Were you surprised by Tasmania and the Northern Territory?
What do YOU think you’d do if your teen came home with a surprise tatt?