The Protection from Harmful Regulation 2013 (the Regulation) introduced a ban on cosmetic UV tanning services from 31 December 2014. A person must not provide, or offer to provide, another person with a cosmetic UV tanning service for fee or reward or in connection with another service that is provided for fee or reward.
Fines of up to $22,000 for individuals and $44,000 for business may apply to anyone who is caught offering UV tanning services in NSW after 31 December 2014
Similar bans also came into effect in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in December 2014. Contact the relevant authorities in these States for more information.
Unwanted tanning units
Unwanted tanning units and UV tubes must be disposed of lawfully. Tanning unit tubes contain more mercury than ordinary fluorescent lighting tubes.
Almost 100% of the plastic, metal and other components in tanning units can be recycled, as well as the glass, mercury and aluminium in UV tanning tubes.
Tubes from households that are less than 1.2 metres in length may be taken to a Community Recycling Centre (CRC). Longer tubes may be taken to a Household Chemical Cleanout where specialised staff can manage their safe storage, transport and recycling. Tubes should be carefully wrapped (e.g. cardboard, plastic, bubble wrap etc) to prevent breakage. See the map and list of CRCs and upcoming CleanOut events.
Tanning units and tubes from commercial premises (i.e. former tanning businesses) can be collected by licensed e-waste recyclers.
For more information refer to Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) advice on solaria and tanning beds.