New Swimming Pool and Spa Safety laws in Victoria

Update: 11 October 2021

New compliance certificate dates were deemed necessary to ensure that pool inspections can be done in an orderly and timely manner during the pandemic.

Compliance certificate must be lodged by:

• 1 June 2022 if pool/spa construction date = On or before 30 June 1994

• 1 June 2023 if pool/spa construction date = between 1 July 1994 until 30 April 2010

• 1 June 2024 if pool/spa construction date = between 1 May 2010 until 31 October 2020

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Pool Barrier Compliance

As of 1 December 2019, it will be mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located, to register their pool or spa with their relevant council, have their safety barriers inspected and to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance with their local council.

Key points

• New laws for the registration, inspection and compliance of pool barriers in effect as at 1 December 2019.

• Pools & Spas must be registered with local councils by 1st November 2020.

• Inspections & lodgement due by 1st June 2021 *pool age decides the due date.

• Poolside Beaconsfield will assist with all compliance requirements.

Registration of Pools and Spas

Pool and spa owners now have until 1st November 2020 to register their pool or spa with their local council.

The total maximum fee that council can charge for pools constructed prior to 1 June 2020 is $79.08

Pools and spas constructed after 1 June 2020 must be registered within 30 days after issue of occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection.

If you do not register your pool by 1 November 2020, you will be subject to fines/penalties.

Local Councils for swimming pool and spa registrations

Casey Council - Click to Register your pool or spa online with Casey Council
Cardinia Council - Click to Register your pool or spa online with Cardinia
Knox Council - Click to Register your pool or spa online with Knox Council
Greater Dandenong - Click to Register your pool or spa with Greater Dandenong Council

Once your swimming pool or spa has been registered, you need to arrange an inspection of the safety barrier to determine if the barrier is compliant with the applicable barrier standard.

An inspection of your pool or spa barrier can only be carried out by:

• a registered building surveyor

• a registered building inspector

• a municipal building surveyor

Pool safety barriers

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).

Barriers are required for:

• 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.

As a pool or spa owner, you have an obligation to maintain the operation of your swimming pool or spa barrier to prevent access to the pool or spa.

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.

• Checklist 1 (for pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991)

• Checklist 2 (for pools and spas installed between 8 April 1991 and 30 April 2010)

• Checklist 3 (for pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010)

If the inspector determines that your safety barrier complies with the applicable barrier standard, they will issue a certificate of barrier compliance. As the owner of the land with the pool or spa, you then need to lodge the certificate with your council. You must do this within 30 days of receiving the certificate. Pool owners will have 60 days to bring their pools into compliance if an inspector identifies any non-compliant safety concerns.

The fee for lodging a certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance will be up to a maximum of $20.50, with certificates of compliance being required to be lodged once every four years. Hefty fines will apply for pool and spa owners who do not register their pool or spa.

Inspection and lodgement of the certificate of barrier compliance for pools and spas:

• For pools and spas constructed on or before 30 June 1994, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 June 2021

• For pools and spas constructed between 1 July 1994 and 1 May 2010, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 June 2022

• For pools and spas constructed between 1 May 2010 and 31 May 2020, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 June 2023

For pools and spas constructed on or after 1 June 2020, a certificate of barrier compliance is due within 30 days of occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection. This certificate must accompany an application for registration. The next certificate of compliance is due four years after registration.

Poolside Beaconsfield will be registering to have in-house, trained inspectors as soon as the Victorian Building Authority announces further information and training centre locations are announced.

Pool Safety Guide

Having a pool is a great way to cool off, keep the kids entertained and keep fit. We've put together a short checklist of things that we think will help to ensure your pool is safe so you, your family, and your friends can continue to enjoy it all Summer!

The checklist features 8 parts; The swimming pool gate, swimming pool fence, around the swimming pool fence, supervision, pump, grates and suction, emergency preparation, chemicals & electricity.

We encourage all pool owners to make this weekend your home pool safety weekend before Summer.

Disclaimer: This checklist does not substitute for a full pool safety inspection and is for awareness purposes only.

#1 Swimming pool gate safety guide

• Must open outward from the pool.

• Must be self-closing and self-latching from any distance.

• The latch must be more than 1.5m from the ground.

• Must latch catch on the first swing.

#2 Swimming pool fence safety guide

• Secure and in good working order.

• No more than 100mm from the ground.

• Should be at least 1.2m high.

• No vertical gaps more than 100mm apart.

#3 Around the swimming pool fence safety guide

• Pool aids and toys should be stored securely and out of view.

• Objects that could be used to climb the fence should be removed from the area.

#4 Supervision safety guide

• Adult supervision in combination with pool fencing is the most effective method of preventing children from drowning.

#5 Pump, Grates, and Suction safety guide

• Always turn off the pump before removing lids, clamps, or connections.

• Ensure that no fittings are broken or missing

• Fix leaks immediately.

• Be aware that the filtration system is under a high amount of pressure

#6 Emergency preparation safety guide

• Up-to-date CPR and first aid skills

• Keep an up-to-date CPR sign in a prominent place in the pool area ideally near the pool steps - Contact us by phone, email, or come in-store to get a new CPR sign.

#7 Chemicals safety guide

• Store all chemicals securely, out of view, and reach of children.

• Always mix chemicals into the water, NEVER pour water into chemicals.

• Use chemicals in an open, well-ventilated area.

• When pouring chemicals into the pool, pour slowly & carefully to avoid splashing onto yourself or the surrounding area.

• Heavily dilute spills with lots of water and clean up immediately.

#8 Electricity safety guide

• Electricity and water do not mix. Keep plugged in electrical devices such as stereo equipment away from the pool and where puddles can accumulate.

• A residual current device (rcd) or residual current circuit breaker (rccb) can save lives.

For more information, suggestions, tips or to talk to us about getting a certified pool inspection, come in-store, call or email us today.