The Victorian Building Authority has released new regulations for pool and spa owners, aimed at improving the safety of young children in and around the water.
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.
Owners must now register their pool or spa with Council by 1 November 2020, and obtain and lodge a certificate demonstrating the safety compliance of their pool and spa barrier every four years.
These regulations have been rolled out state-wide by the Victorian Building Authority, the State Government’s regulator for Victorian building and plumbing agencies.
- The new laws apply to swimming pools and spas that are capable of holding more than 300mm (30cm) of water.
- This includes permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools and some relocatable pools.
- 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.
More information on the regulations is available from the Victorian Building Authority.
Compliance requirements
Complying with the new laws is a two-step process.
- Pool and spa owners need to register their pool or spa with us.
- Following the registration, a certificate of compliance is required. The age of the pool determines the deadline for the certificate of compliance.
The new requirements are designed to ensure all pools and spas have the required fencing.
Please contact our Building Services team if you need further information.
Owners can register a swimming pool or spa online by visiting Greenlight - our building application portal.
An information search fee is also applicable, but will be waived if we can easily determine the swimming pool or spa construction date using its existing permit data base. If, however, further investigation is required to determine the construction date, an additional fee of may be applicable.
Once registered, owners will be requested to submit the first certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance to verify that the swimming pool or spa is safe.
Compliance due dates
Pools and spas constructed prior to 30 June 1994 were required to have their inspection and Certificate of Compliance to us by 1 June 2022.
Pools and spa constructed between 1 July 1994 and 30 April 2010 were required to have their Certificate of Compliance to us by 1 June 2023.
Pools and spas constructed after 1 May 2010 had until 1 June 2024 to comply.
Once pools are inspected, owners have up to 60 days to rectify any problems (non-compliance) with the barrier.
Failure to register your pool or spa with us is a breach of the Building Act 1993. Failure can incur penalty infringements and is a prosecutable offence of up to 10 units.
Register your pool or spa
- Apply by visiting Greenlight - our building application portal;
- Submit the form with evidence of the building permit or Certificate of Final Inspection;
- Once received, our Building Services team will process and advise you of the applicable fee within 14 days.
If you have any queries, please contact us.