Pool Barrier Inspections & Compliance
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). It is 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.
Barriers are required for:
Barriers are required for:- in-ground pools and spas
- above-ground pools and spas, including relocatable and inflatable pools which 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.
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.
Link for Melton City Council residents
Link for Sunbury residents
Link for Gisborne and Macedon residents
Link for Moorabool council residents
A compliance certificate must be lodged by:
1 June 2022 if pool/spa construction date = On or before 30 June 19941 June 2023 if pool/spa construction date = between 1 July 1994 and 30 April 2010- 1 June 2024 if pool/spa construction date = between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2020
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)
For pools and spas constructed on or after 1 June 2020, a certificate of barrier compliance is due within 30 days of an 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.