Pool and spa barriers

Pool and spa safety barriers save lives.

That's why new laws require local pool and spa owners to register with us by 1 November 2020 and get their barrier checked every 4 years.

Between 2000 and 2019, 27 young children drowned in private swimming pools and spas. In at least 20 of those cases, the non-compliance of the safety barrier is likely to have played a role. 

Even relocatable swimming pools or relocatable spas that has been in place for 3 or more consecutive days need to be registered.

Register

Step 1.Register

Follow the prompts to register each pool and spa on your property.

Register a pool or spa

Safety barriers surrounding pools and spas are the responsibility of the owner. 

Step 2.Organise an inspection

Once registered, owners need to certify the safety barrier is up to relevant standards.

Do this by engaging a:

  • registered building surveyor or
  • building inspector

Find a licensed professional by using the Victorian Building Authority: Find a practitioner tool.

Step 3.Lodge your compliance certificate

When your safety barrier has been inspected, you will receive a compliance certificate or non-compliance notice.

If your safety barrier is not compliant, improvements need to be carried out to meet the relevant standards before your inspector can reinspect and issue a compliance certificate.

You have to get your first compliance certificate in to us before a set date - dates depend on the construction date or last erected date, if it's relocatable.

Built 30 June 1994 or earlier

Get your certificate in by 1 June 2022

Built between 1 July 1994 and 30 April 2010

Get your certificate in by 1 June 2023

Built from 1 May 2010 until 31 October 2020

Get your certificate in by 1 June 2024

Lodge a certificate

4-yearly inspection

Step 1.Registered pool or spa

When your pool or spa is registered and we hold a compliance certificate, we will send you a notice indicating when the next inspection and compliance certificate is due. Typically 4 years from the date of the compliance certificate.

Step 2.Organise an inspection

If your details have stayed the same, we'll remind you close to the time when you need to have your pool or spa safety barriers inspected. 

Certify the safety barrier is up to relevant standards and engage a:

  • registered building surveyor or
  • building inspector

Find a licensed professional by using the Victorian Building Authority: Find a practitioner tool.

Step 3.Lodge your compliance certificate

When your safety barrier has been inspected, you will receive a compliance certificate or non-compliance notice.

If your safety barrier is not compliant, improvements need to be carried out to meet the relevant standards before your inspector can reinspect and issue a compliance certificate.

Get your current compliance certificate in to us within 4 years of the compliance certificate to previously sent to Council.

Lodge a certificate