There are more than 374,000 pool owners in NSW.
Due to the tragic statistics of these drowning related deaths in Australia, local councils enforce pool safety compliance, issuing directions with fines or penalties to non-compliant home owners
Reasons were pinpointed to
- faulty fences
- lack of fence
- faulty gates
- gate left open
We believe prevention is the best solution.
We get it. Pool safety compliance is hard, complex and inconvenient. But we’re here to keep it easy for you. What Are The NSW Pool Fencing Regulations? We’ve broken them down so you don’t have to.
Easy Click Through Table Of Contents
Why Are Pool Fences Important?
NSW Fair Trading Government devised the NSW Pool Fence Regulations with the intention of preventing pool accidents and drownings.
NSW local councils have the powers to enforce pool safety compliance and issue directions to get compliant and on-the-spot fines of up to $500 or penalties of up to $5,500 to non-compliant homeowners.
What Is A Boundary Or Dividing Barrier?
The boundary barrier or dividing fence creates a completely separate lot area for the pool and seems to divide the two properties from each other. The dividing property fence – or the “boundary line” – acts as part of the pool barrier. It has a minimum height of 1800mm from the finished ground level (pool side of the barrier) all the way up to the top of the barrier. The minimum height of any pool fence or barrier should be 1200mm.
What Are The Australian Standards For Pool Fence Laws In NSW?
Pools and spas are inspected to NSWFT AS1926.1 which include the following legislation
- AS 1926-1986, fences and gates for private swimming pools which applies to pools constructed prior to 30 August 2008
- AS 1926.1 – 2007, swimming pool safety, Part 1 safety barriers for swimming pools which applies to pools constructed between 1 September 2008 to 30 April 2013
- AS1926.1 – 2012, swimming pool safety, Part 1 safety barriers for swimming pools constructed after 1 May 2013
Pools and spas are inspected to NSWFT AS1926.1 with the following regulations and standards.
- Swimming Pools Regulation 2018
- Swimming Pool Australia Standard 2012
- Swimming Pools Regulation 2008
- Swimming Pool Australian Standard 2007
- Swimming Pools Act 1992, and
- Swimming Pool Australian Standard 1986
The NSWFT AS1926.1 swimming pool laws requires pools of NSW property owners and managers
- be registered with the NSW Swimming Pool Register
- have a valid pool safety certificate when leasing their property
- surround pools with child-resistant safety barriers
- restrict access to the pool with self-closing doors and gates
- surround fences designed, constructed, installed and maintained to comply with the Australian Standards.
- feature an up-to-date CPR signage permanently fixed within the vicinity of the pool
What Are The NSW Pool Fence Requirements?
In New South Wales, compliant pool fencing is as follows:
- The internal barrier from a flat surface, finished ground level or a step, needs to measure 1200mm on the outside.
- Steps also have a 500mm exclusion zone so you can’t just pop your leg over the fence. Basically measure 1200mm starting from the highest point within 500mm of the base of the barrier.
- The boundary or dividing barrier needs to be a minimum of 1800mm high, measured from the top down – to finish ground level on the pool side which is also the internal side of the barrier. If a boundary fence is part of the pool fence, the barrier must be 1800mm high.
- Nearby objects or level surfaces – such as a pool filter box or garden shed – cannot be within 500mm of the barrier as this would reduce the height of the fence to less than 1200mm or 1800mm respectively.
- There must be no gaps at the bottom, bigger than 100mm from the finished ground level
- If the pool fence has horizontal climbable bars, they should be spaced at least 900mm apart
- Mesh barriers are specific with holes and gaps. If the barrier is a minimum of 1200mm, 13mm mesh is best. If it’s less than 1200mm, holes must be less than 10mm
- Consistent upkeep maintains the fence’s security
- No objects near the pool fence
- Consistent care and upkeep of the pool fence NCZ Non-Climbable Zone – find out more about the NCZ Non-Compliance Zone >here
- Consistent care and upkeep of self closing pool gates and latches – find out more from about Pool Gate Latch Safety >here.
- Extra Tip: Windows should not open more than 100mm
- Adequate CPR Signage within 3 metres of the pool fence and gate
Happy NSW Pool Fence Laws
Got Questions? We've Got Answers.
? Put The 'Fun' into Fundamentals
Learn Up
? Pool Fences & Barriers
⛔ NCZ Non-Climbable Zone
? Pool Gate Latch
? Pool Signage
