Similar to cars requiring safety certificates for safe driving, swimming pools and spas need safety compliance certificates to confirm their fences and barriers meet state safety requirements. Pool safety inspections are vital for saving lives. Welcome to your ideal checklist for How To Prepare For Your Pool Inspection.
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Why We Need Pool Compliance
Australia certainly loves their pools – with more than
250,000 pools in QLD
374,000 pools in NSW, and
200,700 in VIC.
They’re an Australian status symbol, significantly contributing towards boosting the value of our property and lifestyle. However, this impressive asset and vacation lifestyle also comes with the high risk of children aged 0-4 drowning.
Owning a swimming pool offers fun in the sun but comes with significant responsibilities where pool owners need to follow Australian and state government safety regulations to keep their families and community safe.
Your Pool Safety Inspection Preparation Checklist
Preparing for your pool inspection ahead of time allows you to get your pool certified quickly for peace of mind while saving you money – and lives.
Register Your Pool or Spa
First, register your pool or spa with your council.
Know Which Standard Applies To You
The AS1926.1 and state pool regulations applies to swimming pools and spas capable of holding more than 300mm water, such as inground pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing and wading pools and some relocatable pools.
When. you know what standard applies, you know what checklist you can work to.
In QLD, the Standard MP3.4 applies. Easy.
For NSW
Know what year/s your pool or barriers were built or installed, whether
- Outdoor swimming pool built or installed after 01/05/2013
- Outdoor swimming pool built or installed between 01/09/2008-30/04/2013
- Outdoor swimming pool built or installed before 01/09/2008
- Outdoor Spa Pool
- Indoor Swimming Pool
For VIC
When you’ve registered with Council, your Pool Registration Certificate will note what standard applies to you, whether your pool and spa was installed
- before 8 April 1991
- 8 April 1991 – 30 April 2010
- from 1 May 2010
Download the Free Ultimate PoolSS Safety Checklist
Forwarned is forearmed.
Download your Free Checklist to help you DIY Pool Safety Inspection – and know your compliance issues right from the start.
Check Your Pool Fence & Gates
The pool fence and gates are the most important part of your inspection – as these are the access areas to the pool – and therefore the first points most likely to be at risk of children entering into the pool area.
Check the height standards for your pool fence to make sure they comply: make sure the barrier height is at least 1200 millimetres above the finished ground level. The higher the fence, the safer the pool.
Pool gates should open and close freely without getting caught on anything which could prevent the gate from closing
Gates should self-close and securely latch when released from any open position, including from when the gate is at its resting position
Gates should open outwards, away from the pool
Check Your NCZ Non Climbable Zone
Remove climbable trees and vegetation from the fence
Trim any climbable branches
Shield any lattice or other climbable material that can handle a hand, finger or toe hold within the non climbable zone with non climbable material such as vertical palings or Colorbond fencing
Remove all climbable objects within the non climbable zone
Book Your Pool Safety Inspection
Now you know where you stand, get your pool safety inspector booked.
Happy Pool Inspection
Got Questions? We've Got Answers.
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? Pool Fences & Barriers
⛔ NCZ Non-Climbable Zone
? Pool Gate Latch
? Pool Signage
