What is a Pool Safety Certificate and why do I need one?

A Pool Safety Certificate confirms that your pool and spa barriers comply with Australian Standards and State Regulations. It’s required when selling, leasing, or building a property with a pool in QLD, NSW, or VIC.

How long does a pool safety inspection take?

A pool safety inspection typically takes 30–45 minutes. If your pool is compliant, you'll receive your certificate the same day from your licensed pool safety inspector.

What happens if my pool fails the inspection?

If your pool fails inspection, you'll receive a Form 26 Non-Conformity Notice in QLD or a Certificate of Non-Compliance in NSW. You'll be given a set timeframe to fix issues and book a reinspection.

Can I still sell my home if my pool isn’t compliant?

Yes, in Queensland and New South Wales you can sell your home with a Non-Conformity or Non-Compliance Certificate, provided the buyer agrees to obtain a Pool Safety Certificate within 90 days after settlement.

Do Pool Safety Solutions offer repairs or rectification services?

Yes, Pool Safety Solutions can connect you with licensed builders and repairers for pool fence repairs, gate adjustments, and barrier rectifications to help you achieve pool safety compliance quickly.

NCC National Construction Code 2025 Changes For Your Pool Inspection

The AS 1926.1:2024 Australia’s Pool Safety Standards are getting their biggest update in 12 years. From 1 May 2026, new rules under the Australia’s Pool Safety Standards changes with the NCC National Construction Code – and what counts as a compliant pool fence or barrier. Learn what this means for you.

Easy Click Through Table Of Contents

• Top Takeaways
• Stats
• Why Do The NCC Changes Matter?
• What is the AS 1026.1:2024?
• What Has Changed?
• What This Means For Your Pool

The Top Takeaways

AS 1926.1 Australia’s Pool Safety Standards have been updated for the first time since 2012.
The new standard is introduced to Victoria 1 May, 2026
New South Wales adopts the standards from 1 May 2027
Queensland’s date is to be announced
Key changes affect boundary fences, gate latches, non-climbable zones and gate hardware.

The Stats

Australia loves a backyard pool. The numbers prove it:

250,000+ pools in QLD
374,000+ pools in NSW
200,700+ pools in VIC

Backyard pools are status, lifestyle and leisure all rolled into one. Backyard pools are also the #1 place for drowning deaths in children aged 0-4.

Since 2000, 27 children have tragically drowned in private swimming pools and spas in Victoria alone. Investigations found that non-compliant safety barriers were a contributing factor, which you can read in the Royal Life Saving Australia’s drowning research>here.

Why This Matters

Non-compliant pools put children at risk of drowning in backyard pools and expose homeowners to legal challenges.

A pool that passed its last Inspection could fail under the new rules.

The most common issue of objects sitting within 500mm of the outside of your boundary fence like garden beds, pots and retaining walls could be a compliance problem.

What Is The AS 1926.1:2024?

The AS 1926.1:2024 is the updated Australian Standard for swimming Pool Safety barriers. This replaces the 2012 version and forms part of the NCC National Construction Code 2025 , which is ready to be published on 1 May 2026. You can find a preview of it on the NCC National Construction Code website >here.

This sets the rules for pool fences, gates, latches, and non-climbable zones across Australia.

While each state adopts the NCC on their own timeline, the standard remains national.

This means new pools will be built under the new NCC 2025 building code.

What Has Changed?

The 500mm Boundary Barrier Rule

This is the change that will most likely affect pools that are currently compliant.

Previously: Objects within 500mm of the inside of a boundary fence were not a compliance issue.

2026: The 500mm non-climbable zone applies to all boundary barriers. Anything on the outside of your boundary fence – garden beds, retaining walls, pots, furniture, ornaments – within 500mm of the fence are strictly not allowed.

Gate Latch Height 1400 mm Minimum

Self-closing gate latches must sit at least 1400 mm from ground level on the pool side.

Clearer NCZ Non-Climbable Zone Rules

The updated Standard includes improved diagrams and definitions for better understanding of what works and what doesn’t.

Plants and trees within the NCZ Non-Climbable Zone now have specific rules. Some are permitted, some are not – depending on whether they are climbable.

🔥 When in doubt, Inspectors will treat vegetation as non-compliant.

Gates

Gate latches and hinges must carry permanent identification to trace their maker/company.

Durability testing has been increased to 25,000 cycles. For example, a gate must open and firmly close 25,000 times to be approved for usage.

For existing pools, worn or unmarked hardware will be flagged during your Pool Inspection.

What This Means For Your Pool

The rules have changed, but your pool hasn’t – and that’s the problem.

A pool that was compliant last year may now fail – not because anything broke or deteriorated, but because the Standards have been updated.

The most vulnerable pools are those with boundary fences that have anything within 500mm on the outside – which describes a huge number of backyards across Australia.

Pool Owners and Property Managers: don’t assume you’re still compliant.

The only way to know for sure is to get a Pool Safety Inspection under the new standard.

The good news is many have easy fixes – moving a pot plant, trimming a hedge, adjusting a gate latch – that are straightforward and inexpensive once you know what needs changing.

The risk is in not knowing at all.

Happy Pool Compliance

Not Sure If Your Pool Is Compliant?

Your Pool Safety Solutions’ Inspectors are trained on the new AS 1926.1:2025 Standards and offer the best insights to your pool safety compliance. Book your Inspection to make sure you are compliant.

Book Inspection Now