Cosmetic Laser Use Licence—commercial cosmetic laser practice

The commercial cosmetic industry uses laser apparatus for a range of services, including:

  • hair reduction
  • skin rejuvenation
  • capillary reduction
  • tattoo removal.

The use of radiation sources to carry out a radiation practice is regulated under the Radiation Safety Act 1999 to minimise the risks associated with radiation. This includes Class 4 laser apparatus used in the provision of cosmetic services.

Know which form you need?

This page contains the following cosmetic laser Use Licence application forms:

Use this form if you are seeking a licence, or wish to make changes to your current licence.

If you are unsure what supporting documentation is required, please read on.

Who needs this licence?

You will need this licence if you seek to use laser apparatus to provide a cosmetic service.

People using laser apparatus in the commercial cosmetic industry include:

  • laser technicians
  • dermal technicians
  • beauty therapists
  • nurses
  • medical practitioners.

Trainee licence exemptions

Students undertaking theoretical and practical training provided by an approved trainer do not need to hold a licence. At the completion of this training, graduates may apply for a licence to use laser apparatus for the cosmetic services they have been trained to provide.

The list of approved training providers for cosmetic use laser procedures.

However, if your practical training within Queensland is by an institution or other entity that is not listed as being approved by the Chief Executive, you will need to apply for and obtain a use licence to allow you to undertake your practical training (i.e. a ‘trainee’ licence).

Irrespective of whether or not a student is required to hold a licence, all students are required to be under the personal and direct supervision of a person who holds a use licence for the specific cosmetic procedure being undertaken.

Responsibilities of a Use Licensee

As part of your responsibilities as a Use Licensee you will need to:

  • only use the type of radiation source for the type of practice described in your Use Licence
  • only use a radiation source if the Possession Licensee has specified that you may
  • comply with the Possession Licensee’s approved Radiation Safety and Protection Plan for the radiation practice and your individual responsibilities detailed in it.

You are required to comply with Radiation Safety Act.

Apply for a licence to use a laser apparatus in the commercial cosmetic laser industry

Required training and competency

You will need to demonstrate that you have undergone both theoretical and practical training using the radiation source safely and effectively for the relevant type of radiation procedure.

Evidence of these competencies will depend on your individual education and experience but is commonly achieved via:

  • educational institutions and other entities with suitable training programs—offering theoretical and practical hands-on training as a part of the course
  • practical hands-on experience under a licensed supervisor—who provides a statement certifying that you have completed sufficient practical training and are competent to perform the radiation procedure.

Students undergoing training

While completing their practical training, students are required to be under the personal and direct supervision of a person who holds a Use Licence for the specific type of procedure being undertaken.

Licence duration

A Use Licence can be for 1, 2 or 3 years.

Renewal applications can be made 60 days before your licence expires. You will be sent a reminder and a renewal application form before your licence expires.

Fees

You will need to pay a licence fee. If you do not hold a current licence you will also need to pay an application fee.

See schedule of fees to determine the fee you will need to pay. Your form will only be considered a complete application once payment has been made.

Licence to use laser apparatus—trained by an approved training provider (within Queensland)

You need to have completed the theoretical and practical training by an approved training provider.

Application for a Licence to Use a Laser Apparatus—Cosmetic or Medical Purposes (PDF 889 kB)

Use this form if you seek a licence to use laser equipment to provide one or more of the following cosmetic services:

  • hair reduction
  • skin rejuvenation
  • capillary reduction
  • tattoo removal.

Your application needs to include certified copies of:

  • 2 proof of identity documents
  • your qualifications and training certificate issued by the approved training provider.

Licence to use laser apparatus—only theoretical training completed

Application for a Licence to Use a Laser Apparatus—Cosmetic or Medical Purposes (PDF 889 kB)

Use this form if you have completed theoretical radiation safety training and wish to commence practical training in Queensland.

Depending on the speciality, certain medical specialists who are already licensed to use laser apparatus in their speciality may be eligible to obtain a licence without undergoing any further practical training.

Otherwise, you may be eligible to receive a ‘trainee’ licence to enable you to receive the practical training necessary to use laser in the provision of cosmetic services.

Your application must include:

  • certified copies of
    • 2 proof of identity documents
    • your qualifications and safety training certificate
  • evidence of infection control training (medical practitioners do not need to provide this)
  • details of the name and contact details of your nominated licensed trainer and supervisor, the person in possession of the laser apparatus, and evidence of their commitment to support your training.

As a student (trainee), you will need to be supervised by a named unrestricted licence holder. The trainer/supervisor will need to hold a Use Licence to use laser apparatus for the specific cosmetic service you are being trained in—for example, hair reduction.

How to get the trainee restriction removed from the licence:

  1. Maintain a training record (PDF 34 kB) of your cosmetic laser service training (signed by you and countersigned by your trainer/supervisor).
  2. Obtain a Statement of competency (PDF 31 kB) from your trainer/supervisor for each cosmetic service that you have demonstrated competency in providing.
  3. Apply for new licence using the Application for a Licence to Use a Laser Apparatus - Cosmetic or Medical Purposes (PDF 889 kB) requesting that your ‘trainee’ status be removed and providing, with your application, copies of the documents mentioned in 1. And 2. above.

Training record

Trainee records need to include the following information:

  • type of laser cosmetic service
  • time taken to perform the cosmetic service
  • when it was done (date and duration)
  • skin type and age of the client
  • licensed trainer/supervisor name, their Use Licence number, and contact details.

Your trainer/supervisor will determine when you are considered competent to perform the laser cosmetic service. As a general guide it may take the following hours to achieve competency:

  • hair removal—25 hours
  • skin rejuvenation—50 hours
  • capillary reduction—50 hours
  • tattoo removal—100 hours.

Licence to use laser apparatus—practical training completed outside of Queensland

Application for a Licence to Use a Laser Apparatus—Cosmetic or Medical Purposes (PDF 889 kB)

Use this form if you seek a licence to use laser equipment for one or more of the following cosmetic services and you completed practical training outside of Queensland:

  • hair reduction
  • skin rejuvenation
  • capillary reduction
  • tattoo removal.

Your application must include:

  • certified copies of
    • 2 proof of identity documents
    • your qualifications and safety training certificate
  • evidence of infection control training (medical practitioners do not need to provide this)
  • evidence of experience in the use of laser apparatus for cosmetic purposes
  • evidence of competency in the use of laser apparatus for cosmetic purposes

Last updated: 12 February 2024