Swimming Pool and Spa
Barrier Inspection
Swimming pool and spa owners have a legal obligation to ensure that they maintain the effective operation of swimming pool and spa safety barriers. Gates and doors must remain closed, except when entering the pool or spa.
On 1 December 2019, new laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria. They introduce new registration, inspection and certification requirements for property owners.
As a pool or spa owner you need to complete the following:
- Register your pool with your local council by 1 November 2020
- Organise an inspection of your pool barrier by a swimming pool inspector
- Rectify any issues identified by your pool inspection
- Submit a certificate of compliance to your council by the due date
Failure to register swimming pool or spa within relevant time frame will result in a penalty of up to approx $1,817
Our NBI building inspector will assess your swimming pool and spa based on one of the following standard:
| Before 8 April 1991 | Part 9A, Division 2 of the Building Regulations 2018 |
| 8 April 1991 to 31 October 1994 | AS1926.1-1986 Amendment 1 |
| 1 November 1994 to 31 July 1997 | AS1926.1-1993 |
| 1 August 1997 to 30 June 2000 |
|
| 1 July 2000 to 30 April 2010 |
|
| 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2013 |
|
| After 1 May 2013 |
|
A licensed inspector from the National Building Inspection Service (NBI) will perform fence and gate inspections of your pool and/or spa in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The Pool Fence Inspection (Melbourne) will determine if the fence and surrounding area conform to the relevant standard, as determined by the Council’s Letter of Registration.
The NBI approved pool inspector will then assess the fence and its surroundings for compliance or non-compliance. If it is compliant, a certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance (Form 23) will be issued. If it does not comply, a Form 24 will be issued.
If Form 24 is issued, you will need to correct the noncompliance and receive a re-inspection notice. Once the repairs are complete, the NBI registered Inspectorwill re-inspect to determine if the fence and surrounding area meet the relevant standard.
For more information visit www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/swimming-pools
The following checklists will help you assess the safety of your barrier. The checklists are based on the relevant barrier standard associated with the date that the pool or spa was installed.
- Self-Assess Checklist A (for pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991)
- Self-Assess Checklist B (for pools and spas installed between 8 April 1991 and 30 April 2010)
- Self-Assess Checklist C (for pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
Pools and spas constructed (or where construction commenced) before 1 November 2020
| Pool/spa construction date | Compliance certificate must be lodged by |
|---|---|
| On or before 30 June 1994 | 1 November 2021 |
| From 1 July 1994 until 30 April 2010 | 1 November 2022 |
| From 1 May 2010 until 31 October 2020 | 1 November 2023 |
You are required to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance every four years. Check with your council for exact dates.
Pools and spas constructed on or after 1 November 2020
Your first certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged within 30 days of the date of issue of the certificate. This certificate must accompany your application for registration.
Your next certificate of compliance is due four years after registration. Check with your council for exact dates.
After registering your pool or spa, the relevant council is required to send you written notification confirming:
- that your pool or spa has been registered
- the date of construction of your pool or spa and the applicable barrier standard
- your right to appeal to the Building Appeals Board (BAB) in relation to the council’s determination of the date of construction of the pool or spa
- the date by which the first or next certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged with the relevant council.
After you apply to register your pool or spa, the relevant council will determine the date of construction of your pool or spa and the applicable barrier standard.
The barrier standard that applied at the date your pool or spa was constructed is the applicable barrier standard for your pool or spa.
To determine the date of construction, the council may consider any relevant information, such as the date of any building permit issued in relation to the swimming pool or spa.
This may include information provided in the registration application, the council’s records (such as building permit data) or other relevant information obtained by the council, including real estate listings and aerial photography
If you do not register your pool or spa within the required period of time you may face an on-the-spot fine of approximately $330 or a penalty of up to $1,652.20.
If the council becomes aware of the pool or spa on your property, they will send you a written notice requiring you to register the pool or spa. You will also be required to pay the registration fee and information search fee (if applicable).
A pool or spa remains registered until it is removed from the register.
Relocatable (moveable or portable) pools and spas on land that you own must be registered if they are erected for three or more consecutive days.
- If it was erected before 1 November 2020 for at least 3 consecutive days and remains erected on 1 November 2020, you must register by 4 November 2020.
- If it was erected on or after 1 November 2020 and remains erected for three consecutive days, you must register the pool and spa on the fourth day after it was erected.
If your relocatable pool or spa is only in place for a period less than three consecutive days, there is no need to apply for registration.
All swimming pools and spas that fall within the requirements of the Building Act must have a compliant safety barrier in place. Broadly, these include all permanent pools and spas and most relocatable pools and relocatable spas that are capable of holding a depth of water greater than 300 mm.
Small inflatable pools that do not contain multiple components and do not require any assembly are not subject to the barrier requirements. An example of such a product is a small inflatable pool that requires no assembly other than inflation.
If the pool you erect is capable of holding water to a depth of water greater than 300 mm (30 cm), it must have a pool barrier installed.
If you intend to keep your relocatable pool erected for three consecutive days or longer, you should notify your landlord (or their agent) of this. The landlord (owner of the land) is required to register the relocatable pool with the council on the fourth day.
A certificate of barrier compliance must also be lodged by the owner of the land with the relevant council within 30 days of the date of registration.
Note that relocatable pools that do not consist of multiple components and do not require any assembly are not subject to the barrier requirements. An example of such a product is a small inflatable pool that requires no assembly other than inflation.
Every 4 years. check with your council for exact dates.
Book with Us
Complete the secure booking form below.
Pool & Spa Barrier Inspection Booking
Complete the details below to make your booking and pay securely online. We will confirm the inspection appointment with you after reviewing the booking.
Initial inspection$250 + GSTTotal $275
If a reinspection is required, the fee is $200 + GST ($220 total).
