'I'm a single dad trying to do right': Man with face tattoos bemoans strangers judging him

A NSW father with distinct facial tattoos said he is discriminated against because of his appearance, but admits he has walked away from work after being asked to cover up his ink.

Luke McCormack, from Wollongong, said he is "judged" for his tattoos on his jaw, temple, eyebrow and cheek and has been out of work for more than 12 months.

The 26-year-old said he is often stared at by people who are "intimidated" when he wears shorts and a singlet while shopping with his three-year-old son.

"I'll be having fun laughing with him and it's like there's a wall up around us, people walk around," Mr McCormack told 7 News Online.

"I've seen people walk past while shopping and grabbing their handbags or partner's hands tighter because they feel scared and intimidated.

• Teen dad with face tattoo reveals he has turned down 45 job offers

• Family's heartbreaking note to teen, 19, killed trying to swerve around duck

"I have had people stare me up and down."

Mr McCormack said he managed to score an interview for a sales representative position in 2016, but walked away after being asked by the manager to cover his tattoos.

"Because of a rough cover people don't want to give us a go," he said.

Mr McCormack's last job was as a mechanic at a motorbike shop, but he had to leave after his marriage broke down and he needed to be at home for his son.

"People judge. Always have, always will," he said. "Little do they know I was a husband, now I'm a single dad trying to do right by my son."

Mr McCormack said his decision to put tattoos on his face does not mean he should be judged.

"At the end of the day, it's my decision to put them on my face, but that shouldn't make people judge me."

This comes just days after a teenage father with 'DEVAST8' tattooed across his jaw took to Facebook to share his similar employment struggles.

New Zealand man Mark Cropp, 19, was jailed for two years for armed robbery and shared a cell with his brother, who convinced him to get the tattoo.

In his Facebook post, he claimed he had been "laughed out of job interviews".