Updated April 2023
Victoria! The deadline for your Pool Compliance of Certificate is due.
Welcome to the ultimate run down with all the whats, whys and hows for this Public Service Announcement: Pool Certificate of Compliance Due 1 June.
Australia certainly loves their pools – with more than
374,000 pools in NSW
250,000 pools in QLD and,
320,000 in VIC.
Victoria, the garden state: lush backyards and pristine pools and spas. But there’s a dark side to this luxurious poolside staycation lifestyle.
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.
Statistics indicate the majority of drownings in private swimming pools occurred with children aged 0-4 years due to inadequate pool barriers. Since 2000, 27 children have drowned in swimming pools and spas in Victoria with non-compliant safety barriers likely to have played a role in at least 20 of these cases.
In 2019, VIC laws required all properties with a swimming pool or spa pool to comply with the pool safety laws.
What does this mean?
Pool and spa owners need to make sure their pool and spa are safe to VIC state standards.
Specifically, pools and spas constructed from 1 July 194 to 30 April 2010 must meet the state compliance laws by 1 June 2023.
In 2019, VIC laws required all properties with a swimming pool or spa pool to comply with the pool safety laws with valid safety certification, such as
- Form 23 certificate of barrier compliance
- Form 24 certificate of barrier non compliance*, or
- relevant occupation certificate
With 320,000 pool and spas in Victoria, the Victorian-Auditor General’s Office notes 174,715 pools and spas have been registered so far which you can read >here – leaving approximately 145,000 more still needing to be registered
* been issued a Form 24 certificate of barrier non compliance? You still need your Form 23 certificate of barrier compliance by the 1 June deadline.
Why?
It’s the law.
Property owners and managers with swimming pools and spas must make sure
- pools are surrounded with a child-resistant safety barrier that separates the swimming pool or spa from any residential building and any place adjoining the property
- doors and gates providing access to the swimming pool or spa are self-closing, self-latching and stay closed
- fences surrounding pools are designed, constructed, installed and maintained to comply with the relevant Australian standards
What are the safety barrier requirements?
VIC state laws have precise requirements for safety barriers which depends on the date your pool or spa barriers were constructed. Check
- trees and vegetation are not in the 900mm arc of the non-climbable zone
- internal barriers are 1200mm high and boundary barriers are at least 1800mm high with no more than 100mm gaps in between and under fences – mainly applicable to AS 2012
- no direct access to the pool without self-latching and self-closing gates
Need more details? The Ultimate PoolSS Safety Checklist has everything you need to navigate the Pool Safety Australian Standards.
How do I comply with new VIC pool and spa laws?
- Register your pool or spa area with your local council, which you can locate >here.
- Arrange a pool and spa safety barrier inspection by a registered swimming pool inspector to issue your Form 23 certificate of barrier compliance.
- Register your certificate of barrier compliance with your local council within 30 days of the certificate being issued.
- Receive written notice from your council the Form 23 certificate of barrier compliance has been lodged.
- Rinse and repeat – every 4 years.
What can I do to get a compliant pool? Can I DIY Pool Safety?
You certainly can DIY Pool Safety – and do all the hard work before the pool safety inspector arrives.
Check
- trees and vegetation are not in the 900mm arc of the non-climbable zone
- fences are at least 1800mm high with no more than 100mm gaps in between and under fences
- gates are self-closing
- CPR sign is in the vicinity of the pool
Need more details? The Ultimate PoolSS Safety Checklist has everything you need to navigate the Pool Safety Australian Standard >here
What if I don't comply?
If your pool or spa barriers are not compliant, your pool inspector issues a Form 24 certificate of barrier non compliance allowing you up to 60 days to rectify the issues before your swimming pool inspector can return for reinspection.
What if I miss the 1 June deadline?
Once 1 June, 2023 has passed, you pool or spa is officially non-compliant.
Council may issue you a notice to get compliant. You can also face on-the-spot-fines of $330 and penalties up to $1,652.20.
My question isn't here!
Not to worry!
Learn up on Pool Safety FAQs right >here.
Still got questions? We’ve got answers. Contact Us where our friendly team are available by email or phone.
Pool Safety is a community responsibility and we are driven to bring you peace of mind to the safety of your pool and spa. We are experts in the pool safety laws with a commitment to service and pool safety – and proud of it.
The Ultimate PoolSS Safety Checklist
Pass your Pool Safety Inspection the First Time.
Forget Government pool compliance checklists. Pool compliance is difficult. So we created the Ultimate PoolSS Safety Checklist to make DIY Pool Safety simple. No matter what state you live in, the Ultimate PoolSS Checklist has you covered.
Double tap and save directly to your phone.
Or hit Download Now to save to your files and use as a real-time fillable checklist.
Disclaimer: The Ultimate PoolSS Safety Checklist is a guide only, and does not constitute acknowledgment or approval of compliance or safety.
If you check "No" to any of our questions, we recommend you Book Inspection with your pool safety inspector.
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
