What You Need To Know
The NSW government has introduced new pool safety compliance laws. As a pool owner, you are responsible for ensuring your pool is enclosed and access to it by children is restricted at all times. You are also responsible for ensuring that it complies with relevant Australian Standards and laws.
The requirements for child-resistant barriers vary depending on when the pool was built and where the pool is located.
There are 3 different Pool Safety Standards that apply in NSW, depending on when the pool was constructed:
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AS 1926-1986, fences and gates for private swimming pools which applies to pools constructed prior to 30 August 2008
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AS 1926.1 - 2007, swimming pool safety, Part 1 safety barriers for swimming pools which applies to pools constructed between 1 September 2008 to 30 April 2013
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AS1926.1 - 2012, swimming pool safety, Part 1 safety barriers for swimming pools constructed after 1 May 2013
Pools built before 1 August 1990
Access to the pool from the house must be restricted at all times. Windows and doors may form part of the barrier, but they must be compliant.
Pools built after 1 August 1990 but before 1 July 2010
The pool must be surrounded by a fence that separates the pool from the house. Some exemptions apply if the pool is part of:
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a very small property (less than 230 square metres)
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a large property (2 hectares or over)
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a waterfront property.
Pools built from 1 July 2010
All new pools must be surrounded by a fence that separates the pool from the house.
Every property that is being sold or rented must have a compliance certification done every 3 years. Serious fines will result in pools that are not compliant within the given time frame.
At Poolside Fence Inspections, we pride ourselves on making this process as easy as possible and we are here to help.
OUR SERVICES
Full-Service Certification
Includes Tailored Self-Checklist & Compliance Certification
from $350 (additional travel fees may apply)
Once you have registered your pool on the NSW Swimming Pool Register then you will need to get your pool certified by an accredited certifier.
Our team are E1 accredited to certify and issue compliance certificates.
Our full-service includes a tailored self-checklist for your area to ensure you can address any areas of concern prior to your inspection. This pre-inspection is conducted via photos and video calls.
(Onsite pre-inspections are available – price on application).
Once this is complete we will book you in with one of our certifiers to get your compliance inspection completed.
If your pool fails the inspection, the re-inspection cost is from $190.
Where the barrier is determined to be non-compliant, brief work can be done on the spot, such as:
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moving items out of the climbable zone (such as furniture, pot plants, etc.)
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a tradesperson can provide minor repairs on the day of the inspection (repair fee will be discussed with the owner)
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What types of Pools come under this new law?- All swimming pools and spas capable of containing water greater than 300mm (30cm) must have a compliant safety barrier to restrict access to the pool area by young children (under the age of five). - In-ground pools and spas - Above-ground pools and spas, including relocatable and inflatable pools that are capable of holding more than 300mm (30cm) of water and require assembly on site. indoor pools and spas - Bathing and wading pools capable of containing more than 300 mm (30cm) of water.
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Who do I register my pool with in Victoria?Every pool in Victoria needs to be registered with their appropriate councils. You MUST register your pool before organising a compliance inspection & certification. Click here to see if inspections are available in your local Council
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What if I haven’t registered my pool/spa yet?If you haven’t registered your pool/spa yet, please contact your local council for details or go online to their pool registration section for more information.
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Are there multiple standards for Victorian pools, and what are they?Yes, there is multiple different standards, depending on when your pool barrier was built. Your relevent Council will tell you which standard your pool must abide by. Please forward the letter to us before your inspection. Part 9A, Division 2 of the Building Regulations 2018 (FOR POOL AND SPAS INSTALLED BEFORE 8 APRIL 1991) AS1926.1.1986 Amemendt 1 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 8 APRIL 1991 TO 31 OCTOBER 1994) AS 1926.1-1993 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 NOVEMBER 1994 TO 31 JULY 1997) AS 1926.1-1993 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 AUGUST 1997 TO 30 JUNE 2000) AS1926.1.1993 Amemendt 1 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 JULY 2000 TO 30 APRIL 2010) AS 1926.1 - 2007 Amendment 1 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 MAY 2010 TO 30 APRIL 2013) AS1926.1-2012 (POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED AFTER 1 MAY 2013)
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Do I need to get my pool certified every 4 years?Yes, you do. You are required to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance every 4 years. Check with your council for exact dates.
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What happens if I my pool does not meet the standards and does not pass the inspection?If the inspector determines that your safety barrier is not compliant, they can either: Immediately issue a certificate of barrier non-compliance; or Issue you a written notice specifying: The matters which must be addressed to bring the pool barrier into compliance; The period in which the barrier must be made compliant (within a maximum of 60 days); and the date and time they intend to reinspect the barrier. After re-inspection, if the inspector determines that the pool barrier is compliant, they will issue a certificate of barrier compliance, which you must then lodge with council. If the barrier remains non-compliant, but the inspector is satisfied that progress has been made towards bringing the barrier into compliance, they may allow you an additional 7 days to rectify the barrier. Otherwise they will issue a certificate of barrier non-compliance. If an inspector issues a certificate of barrier non-compliance, they will lodge it with the relevant council and provide you with a copy. The council will notify you and you will have to pay a fee by the due date specified in the notice.
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What do I do once my pool barrier is found compliant?If compliant, we will issue you a compliance certificate. You will then have 30 days to contact your relevant council with the certificate. They will then provide you with a certificate with the date of your next inspection (4 years)
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What are barriers not required for?Barriers aren't required for: - Inflatable swimming pools (typically toddler or wading pools) that cannot contain a water depth greater than 300mm (30cm). - Small inflatable pools that do not consist of multiple components and do not require any assembly. An example of such a product is a small inflatable pool that requires no assembly other than inflation. - Bird baths - Fountains - Water supply/storage tanks - Fish ponds - Dams - Baths used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use - Spas inside a building (e.g. in a bathroom) used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use - Pools or spas that cannot contain a water depth of more than 300 mm
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What types of Pools come under this new law?- All swimming pools and spas capable of containing water greater than 300mm (30cm) must have a compliant safety barrier to restrict access to the pool area by young children (under the age of five). - In-ground pools and spas - Above-ground pools and spas, including relocatable and inflatable pools that are capable of holding more than 300mm (30cm) of water and require assembly on site. indoor pools and spas - Bathing and wading pools capable of containing more than 300 mm (30cm) of water.
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Who do I register my pool with in Victoria?Every pool in Victoria needs to be registered with their appropriate councils. You MUST register your pool before organising a compliance inspection & certification. Click here to see if inspections are available in your local Council
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What if I haven’t registered my pool/spa yet?If you haven’t registered your pool/spa yet, please contact your local council for details or go online to their pool registration section for more information.
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Are there multiple standards for Victorian pools, and what are they?Yes, there is multiple different standards, depending on when your pool barrier was built. Your relevent Council will tell you which standard your pool must abide by. Please forward the letter to us before your inspection. Part 9A, Division 2 of the Building Regulations 2018 (FOR POOL AND SPAS INSTALLED BEFORE 8 APRIL 1991) AS1926.1.1986 Amemendt 1 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 8 APRIL 1991 TO 31 OCTOBER 1994) AS 1926.1-1993 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 NOVEMBER 1994 TO 31 JULY 1997) AS 1926.1-1993 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 AUGUST 1997 TO 30 JUNE 2000) AS1926.1.1993 Amemendt 1 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 JULY 2000 TO 30 APRIL 2010) AS 1926.1 - 2007 Amendment 1 (FOR POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED BETWEEN 1 MAY 2010 TO 30 APRIL 2013) AS1926.1-2012 (POOLS AND SPAS INSTALLED AFTER 1 MAY 2013)
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Do I need to get my pool certified every 4 years?Yes, you do. You are required to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance every 4 years. Check with your council for exact dates.
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What happens if I my pool does not meet the standards and does not pass the inspection?If the inspector determines that your safety barrier is not compliant, they can either: Immediately issue a certificate of barrier non-compliance; or Issue you a written notice specifying: The matters which must be addressed to bring the pool barrier into compliance; The period in which the barrier must be made compliant (within a maximum of 60 days); and the date and time they intend to reinspect the barrier. After re-inspection, if the inspector determines that the pool barrier is compliant, they will issue a certificate of barrier compliance, which you must then lodge with council. If the barrier remains non-compliant, but the inspector is satisfied that progress has been made towards bringing the barrier into compliance, they may allow you an additional 7 days to rectify the barrier. Otherwise they will issue a certificate of barrier non-compliance. If an inspector issues a certificate of barrier non-compliance, they will lodge it with the relevant council and provide you with a copy. The council will notify you and you will have to pay a fee by the due date specified in the notice.
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What do I do once my pool barrier is found compliant?If compliant, we will issue you a compliance certificate. You will then have 30 days to contact your relevant council with the certificate. They will then provide you with a certificate with the date of your next inspection (4 years)
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What are barriers not required for?Barriers aren't required for: - Inflatable swimming pools (typically toddler or wading pools) that cannot contain a water depth greater than 300mm (30cm). - Small inflatable pools that do not consist of multiple components and do not require any assembly. An example of such a product is a small inflatable pool that requires no assembly other than inflation. - Bird baths - Fountains - Water supply/storage tanks - Fish ponds - Dams - Baths used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use - Spas inside a building (e.g. in a bathroom) used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use - Pools or spas that cannot contain a water depth of more than 300 mm
Up to date CPR sign
This is the most up to date CPR sign that every pool must have visable.
