Do you need an ABN before starting the lip tattoo course? That’s one question I get asked again and again in the first emails I get from people interested in joining up. And honestly, I can see why – getting started in the world of cosmetic tattooing can feel a bit like moving to a new city – exciting, full of possibility, and a little bit stressful when you’re not sure which bits of paperwork you need to sort out first. I’m Olha Po, a Melbourne-based cosmetic tattooist and the founder of Face Figurati – and I’ve worked with loads of beginners in lip blush and permanent makeup, so I know that the admin side of things can really take the shine off things before they’ve even sat down in the chair.
Lots of students email me after looking at all the different lip tattoo courses out there, unsure of what they need to get sorted before they even start. So let’s take a deep breath and break it down nice and simple, just like I would with any client I’m working with.
Contents
- 1 Why Students Worry About ABNs
- 2 When an ABN Matters (and Doesn’t)
- 3 A Clear Breakdown For Peace Of Mind
- 4 Training Steps Before You Get an ABN
- 5 What Happens If You Start Without One?
- 6 Do Melbourne Students Face Any Extra Requirements?
- 7 Prep Before You See Your First Client
- 8 Final Thoughts – Let’s Get Real Here
- 9 FAQ
Why Students Worry About ABNs
Most people assume they need to be totally set up as a business before even joining a cosmetic tattoo course. But that’s just not the case – most people coming into cosmetic tattoo training think that getting all the paperwork sorted out is the first thing they need to do. But the truth is that you only need an ABN if you’re actually trading – ie, if you’re earning money from giving tattoo procedures.
The good news is that during your course, you’re not earning a penny – you’re learning, and your trainers will have all the models arranged, will be supervising every move you make, and making sure you’re doing everything within the course framework, not running a business. So don’t stress about the paperwork – you can start without an ABN and sort it out later when you’re ready to start taking on paying clients.
When an ABN Matters (and Doesn’t)
I usually tell my students this: if you’re not charging yet, you don’t need an ABN. That includes doing some practice work, doing lip blush sessions under supervision, and assessments – all of those things can be done without needing to have an ABN.
It’s only when you start to work independently – whether that’s renting a space in a salon, setting up your own studio (legally, of course), or freelancing in beauty clinics – that an ABN becomes a must-have.
That’s exactly why a solid education during any training cosmetic tattoo course is all about learning first and then getting the business side of things sorted out later.
Even when you’re doing your first few discounted portfolio models after you’ve finished training, you’re still providing a cosmetic tattoo service, which means you’ll need to have your ABN sorted. But there’s no requirement to have one before you start the course, so you won’t be blocked from learning all about tattooing methods and mapping techniques.
A Clear Breakdown For Peace Of Mind
Below is a simple table I share in my training organisation orientation at Face Figurati to calm nerves and show exactly when the ABN matters.
ABN Requirements For Lip Tattoo Students In Australia
| Training Stage / Activity | Do You Need an ABN? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolling in a lip tattoo course | ❌ No | Education only — no trading or permanent makeup services. |
| Practising on latex or fake skins | ❌ No | Training manuals cover this as learning, not business activity. |
| Practising on live models during training | ❌ No | Covered by the training organisation; not considered a paid tattoo procedure. |
| Doing discounted models after graduation | ✅ Yes | Payment received = you’re trading as a cosmetic tattooist. |
| Running your own cosmetic tattoo business | ✅ Yes | Requires an ABN plus compliance with Infection prevention & hygiene guidelines. |
| Renting a chair in a salon | ✅ Yes | The salon will need your ABN for invoicing and operational records. |
According to national business registry statistics, over 4.5 million Australians currently hold an ABN, and beauty-based micro-businesses continue climbing steadily year after year (data valid January 2026).
Training Steps Before You Get an ABN
Before anyone starts tattooing lips, in Melbourne or anywhere else, there’s actually a lot of groundwork to lay. At Face Figurati, my cosmetic tattoo courses kick off with some pretty solid basics:
- Skin types and facial contours (we dive pretty deep on this one)
- Pigment colours, and colour matching – or as I like to call it, getting to grips with the theory behind beautiful colour choices
- Tattoo machine handling – this one’s a no-brainer, but trust me, it’s key
- Topical anesthetics and safe use (safety first!)
- Infection control standards and hygiene practices – the foundation of any good cosmetic tattoo business
Loads of my students are comparing different training paths, so I like to break down the benefits of a structured cosmetic tattoo course, which is that you don’t need to be running a business just yet to start learning the techniques.
Learning all this stuff doesn’t need you to be set up as a business from the get-go, which is why you don’t need an ABN right from the off. You’re just getting the skills under your belt – from brow fundamentals to lip blush shading – before you even think about the business side of things.
A typical training flow looks like this:
- Theory and online manuals to get you started
- Hands-on pigment and colour theory demos
- Latex practice and getting the hang of different tattooing methods
- Working on live models with close supervision
- Getting assessed and building a portfolio
- Post-course support to get you ready to go for your license
You only need to think about paperwork once you start trading on your own, anyway.
What Happens If You Start Without One?
Nothing bad’ll happen – honestly. You’re not breaking the rules by learning first and getting an ABN when the time comes.
The ATO don’t penalise students for starting a course without a business structure. They expect you to apply only when you start trading and offering real, permanent makeup services.
When my students do finally get to the point of applying, it’s usually a pretty quick process – we’re talking 15 minutes max.
Do Melbourne Students Face Any Extra Requirements?
Melbourne has specific rules around skin-penetration and cosmetic tattoo procedures, and I usually remind students to check the local council guidelines before setting up shop. None of these rules apply – thankfully – while you’re still training.
When you’re ready to hang your own shingle, you’ll need:
- Infection prevention & hygiene training to keep you and your clients safe
- A registered treatment room that’s suitable for tattooing
- A Personal Appearance Services licence (which you’ll need to get set up in a few states for tattoo work – although this won’t be on the agenda during your training)
We cover all this in our post-course mentoring to make sure you’re feeling confident and not overwhelmed.
Prep Before You See Your First Client
Just to clarify, you don’t need an ABN to get started with learning, but you will need these things in place by the time you start charging:
- Get yourself an ABN – you can get this sorted out when the time comes
- A business name or trading name to give you some identity
- Insurance (public liability and professional indemnity) to cover your back
- Council approval for a workspace that’s up to code
- Up-to-date Infection control knowledge so you know you’re doing things right
- All the gear you need – tattoo machine, pigments, aftercare stuff and so on
- Clear aftercare instructions for clients with all sorts of skin types
I’ve got you covered on all these bases during the training, so you won’t feel lost.
Final Thoughts – Let’s Get Real Here
If you’ve been stressing about whether you need an ABN before starting the course, just take a deep breath and let’s move on. Focus on building your skills first, then the rest will fall into place. Get comfortable with your tattoo machine, master colour matching, and build your confidence under supervision.
FAQ
Can I book into a cosmetic tattoo course without an ABN?
Absolutely – you don’t need one to enrol and work with models under supervision.
Will your trainer ask for an ABN?
No way – I’m not in a position to ask for an ABN while you’re still in training. Just follow the licensing and insurance that our training organisation follows.
Do I need an ABN for working with discounted portfolio models?
Yeah, if you start taking payment for services, you’ll need to have an ABN on file.
Does getting an ABN mean you’re a business?
Not quite – you’re a business when you start charging for your work, but getting an ABN is a first step in that direction.
Do I need a Personal Appearance Services licence to start the course?
No, this one kicks in once you start working on your own after training – not while you’re still in the learning phase.
