A Hobart tattoo studio’s pop-up for Dark Mofo was shut down at the last minute after a complaint triggered a council reminder that decades-old rules ban tattooing from mobile premises.
Scarr Parlour was set to operate a purpose-built tattoo caravan at the festival, which opens on Thursday.
Owner Jason Scarr said he was called last Wednesday afternoon by a council staff member and told the pop-up could not go ahead.
He posted on social media that the cancellation came after a “concerned citizen” contacted Hobart City Council.
“A tattoo studio is perfectly safe, unless it has wheels,” he said.
City of Hobart CEO Michael Stretton said the rules were not set by the council but were required under state law.
“These guidelines, which have been in effect for the last 28 years, explicitly prohibit mobile tattooing due to the heightened risk of infection associated with skin penetration procedures conducted outside of regulated premises,” Stretton said.
“As this is a legislative requirement, the City has no choice in the matter.”
A Department of Health spokesperson defended the existing rules.
“The Guidelines for Tattooing are in place to ensure tattooists comply with measures that protect clients, practitioners and the wider community from infections associated with tattooing procedures,” the spokesperson said.
“Unsafe or unhygienic practices can have serious consequences and the regulatory framework is designed to ensure appropriate infection control standards are consistently met.”
The department said it was not aware of any approach from councils to seek an exemption or change the current requirements.
Hobart City councillor Ryan Posselt backed the studio’s push for change, calling the rules outdated and unfit for modern business.
“This is another example of antiquated Tasmanian legislation that is not fit for purpose in 2026,” Posselt said.
“The claim that a tattoo studio in a purpose built caravan cannot meet appropriate hygiene standards simply does not stack up.”
Posselt pointed to his own experience carrying out invasive medical procedures in ambulances across Tasmania as proof that mobile setups can meet high standards.
“If ambulances can be held to a standard high enough for these invasive procedures so can a properly fitted out and inspected caravan or vehicle,” he said.
He said he understood a petition to parliament would be launched as a result and encouraged people to support it.
