A tattooist has launched a new safety and compliance standard as his industry battles “systemic insurance challenges”. 

In a submission to a federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance, InkSafe founder Mitchell Hodson outlines concerns around “disproportionate premium costs, unclear underwriting criteria, limited insurer appetite and the complete absence of a nationally recognised compliance framework”.

He says these pressures contribute to increased consumer risk and significant financial strain on otherwise compliant and safe operators.

“Tattooing is one of Australia’s most rapidly expanding personal-services industries,” Mr Hodson writes.

“Yet it exists in a regulatory vacuum, with inconsistent state-based hygiene rules, minimal enforcement and no unified national standard.  

“In this void, insurance providers have effectively become the industry’s de facto regulators, determining what constitutes ‘acceptable risk’.  

“The availability and pricing of insurance products directly determine whether a tattoo studio can open, remain trading, renew a lease or participate in events and collaborations.”

Mr Hodson says the InkSafe standards are designed in consultation with tattoo industry operators, insurers, risk analysts and health sector advisers.

“InkSafe provides a clear, measurable, insurer-recognised framework to allow risk-tiered pricing, improved underwriting consistency and strengthened industry-wide safety outcomes.”

The Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services is examining insurance accessibility across lines including public liability, professional indemnity, cyber and business interruption.  

The deadline for submissions is March 6. Mr Hodson’s submission can be read in full here.