Hundreds of tattooists and tattoo parlours have just weeks to avoid heavy fines and even closure under new laws coming into effect on October 1, when they must be licensed.

Only 23 out of more than 1000 tattooists in NSW have so far been approved for the new licences.

Tattoo artist Bodie O'Leary from Shanghai Charlie's Tattoo Parlour in Surry Hills works on a client. Credit:Wolter Peeters

The regulations are being touted by the NSW government as an effort to crack down on organised crime and outlaw bikie gangs in the tattoo world.

But Fair Trading NSW has only received applications from 240 tattooists and 133 tattoo parlour owners.