Does teacher body art influence students, or is it education quality tatt really matters?

With more Victorians getting tattoos, should schools let teachers display their ink? Or does it set a bad example for students?

Victorian school teachers are increasingly inked-up, but where they work can determine whether they are allowed to show their tattoos or are forced to keep them covered and out of student sight.

While some schools like St Patrick’s College in Ballarat have strict policies on student tattoos stating they “must be covered at all times”, policies on teacher tatts appear less black and white.

Online forums discussing the issue reveal while some Victorian schools have no problem with teachers displaying tattoos, in others - often private - it was expected they remain concealed, even if not explicitly stated.

Tattooist Ronnie Bruce goes to work on a customer wanting body art.

A Victorian Department of Education spokesman said public schools were inclusive, equal opportunity employers and did not place “unnecessary restrictions on employees’ personal appearance”, however, the department expected “all staff to present in a manner consistent with community expectations”.

The Independent Schools Association (ISA) said: “It is up to each school to decide. ISA doesn’t have a view on tattoos.”

One teacher on a Reddit thread discussing the topic said: “Had a male grad teacher for Year 6 come in with tatts all over his legs, some were voyeuristic looking ones (lady’s cleavage and bum). Was in a government school for a rich suburb in Vic, and he was fine.”

Another said: “I teach at a private Anglican school in Vic. It is a hard ‘no’ at my school. Those of us with tattoos (I have two) have them in places that are covered like back, ribs, upper thigh etc. I work with a bloke who has a full sleeve (tattoo) and he has to wear long sleeves every day, regardless of weather.”

Yet another teacher commented: “Every school I’ve worked at had a ‘no visible tattoos’ clause in the staff policy. Small ones on fingers or poking a little out of a collar are usually politely ignored but that’s about the limit. Government schools are more open minded.”

The “content of tattoos” could also be at issue, with “flowers, birds and things” likely less concerning to principals and parents “than daggers or spiders, especially with primary aged kids”, one teacher observed.

Victorian school teachers are increasingly inked-up but where they work can determine whether they are allowed to show their tattoos.

Some “very conservative principals” made it clear they were less than impressed with teacher tattoos, but didn’t state as much, lest they appear discriminatory, another teacher remarked.

“Even if they can’t (openly) discriminate, be prepared they still might, and you won’t know as they will never identify that as the reason why,” they said.

Principals at hard-to-staff schools were often less concerned with teacher body art than those that could afford to be more picky, another commented.

“Catholic/private school: Yes (they can have a problem with tatts). High SES public school: probably . . . Low SES public School: no problem. The kids have tatts!” said one teacher.

“Public schools don’t have a problem with tattoos. Many of my colleagues including the deputy and myself have several visible tattoos . . . the kids love the tattoos and having a cool looking teacher,” observed yet another.

Primary school teacher and tattoo enthusiast in France, Sylvain Helaine, wears his ink with pride. Picture: AFP

A secondary school teacher said “the more tatts the better at my school . . . these days only the most prudish of schools would be concerned about tatts”.

It comes following claims late last year that Victorian teens were parlour shopping for tattoos and resorting to potentially dangerous home ink kits if turned away — inspired by social media influencers and celebrities.

Melbourne skin specialists said they were seeing kids as young as 14 with permanent tattoos.

A Carlton tattooist said students regularly came in asking for ink, with many believing underage tatts were legal if they had parental consent.

When turned away from one tattoo parlour, many kids went on to try their luck at different shops, while others purchased potentially dangerous DIY tattoo kits online, the parlour owner said.

“Stick and poke tattoos work by inserting ink into their skin. We’ve seen a lot of them doing it with their friends,” she said.

Kunal Sabharwal interviewing for a hospitality job, where people with tattoos are encouraged to apply. For teachers, however, schools may not be quite as embracing. Picture: Matt Loxton

“It’s very dangerous to be attempting to tattoo in an environment that is not sterile and where they have no experience. They must be buying them online because they won’t ask their age.”

Dermal clinician at MLAC Laser Clinic, Fernanda Subeno, said she had noticed permanent tattoos on kids aged just 14, while providing skin treatments.

In Victoria, it is illegal to tattoo any person under the age of 18.

Ms Subeno warned DIY tattooing could cause health complications such as allergic reactions and skin infections due to poor after-care and hygiene.

Edwin Lim, owner of Melbourne’s Forgotten Sons Tattooing, said he had noticed the concerning trend of DIY tatts, putting kids in danger of major health problems.

“Young people purchase inks from Amazon, eBay . . . doing them at home. They are unregulated inks. You don’t need a machine to get a tattoo, you just need a needle and ink,” he said.

“Poking someone without prior training can lead to cross contamination, ink poisoning and other health issues.”

More than 2,000 tattoo kits are available on eBay, ranging from $20 to $490, with most not requiring proof of age to purchase.

Social media influencers may be behind more kids getting tattoos, at younger ages Picture: Supplied

Jess Wong, 20, who got her first tattoo as soon as she turned 18, said she’d been desperate to get inked since she was 16, after seeing influencers and celebrities on social media flaunting their tatts.

She was inspired by “social media, Instagram, YouTube, and celebrities” to get a tattoo, she said.

“The various styles of tattoos really caught my attention, as well as the aesthetic presentation,” Ms Wong said.

“Especially the confidence that comes with getting a piece of beautiful art you can show off on your skin.”

Australia is believed to be the fourth most tattooed nation in the world, behind Italy, Sweden and the United States.

According to tattoo removal clinic Disappear Ink, polling reveals 32 per cent of Australians aged 14-29 have tattoos and 30 per cent aged 30-49.

Surveys also show as many young Australian women as men - and possibly more - have been inked.