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Pool Safety Checklists – the easy way
Australia's #1 experts in QLD, NSW and VIC Pool Compliance Certificates • 15 years experience • 15,000+ inspections
The PoolSS DIY Inspection Checklist
Pass your Pool Safety Inspection the First Time.
Forget Government pool compliance checklists. Get compliant with our easy-to-follow PoolSS DIY Inspection Checklist. We've simplified the legal requirements so you can confidently check your pool area is safe and compliant. Keep Pool Safety simple and stress-free.
Keep pool safety simple, stress-free and in your control.
Double tap the images and save directly to your phone.
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Disclaimer: The PoolSS DIY Inspection 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 An Inspection with your Pool Safety Inspector.
PoolSS QLD Checklist
Make the QLD MP3.4 easy for DIY QLD Pool Safety.
Official NSW Government Checklists
How to NSW Government Checklist
1. Find what year/s your pool or barriers were built or installed*
2. Ignore The Government Checklist
3. Complete the PoolSS DIY Inspection Checklist
*Don’t know or don’t have proof of date when your pool was installed or barrier was built? Easy. Assess your pool on the current 2012 standard. Any recent upgrades or significant repairs or alterations completed on barriers means your pool will be assessed on the current 2012 standard.
The official NSW Government pool inspection self-assessment checklists
Official VIC Government Checklists
How to VIC Checklist
The official VBA Pool and spa safety barrier self assessment checklists
VBA Pool & Spa Safety Barrier Self-Assessment Checklist 1
For pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991
VBA Pool & Spa Safety Barrier Self-Assessment Checklist 2
For pools and spas installed 8 April 1991 – 30 April 2010
VBA Pool & Spa Safety Barrier Self-Assessment Checklist 3
For pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pool Safety Compliance Certificate, and why do I need one?
A Pool Safety Compliance Certificate certifies a swimming pool or swimming pool spa's fences and barriers meet the state safety requirements.
Just as your car needs a safety certificate to sell and drive safely, your swimming pool or spa requires a Pool Safety Compliance Certificate to meet State Pool Safety Standards and government regulations - keeping your family and the community safe.
In 2015, QLD laws required all properties with a swimming pool or spa to comply with the pool safety laws with valid safety certification, such as
- Form 23 Pool Safety Certificate
- Form 26 Non-Conformity Notice, or
relevant occupation certificate
In Queensland, Pool Safety Certificates are issued by Pool Safety Inspectors.
This certificate needs to be renewed every 2 years.
If a Pool Safety Inspector finds a pool does not meet the swimming pool spa fences and barriers safety requirements, a Form 26 Non-Conformity Notice is issued, allowing the property up to 90 days to complete any necessary rectification works.
In 2016, NSW laws required all properties with a swimming pool or spa pool to comply with the pool safety laws with valid safety certification, such as
- Certificate of Compliance
- Certificate of Non Compliance, or
- relevant occupation certificate
In New South Wales, pool compliance certificates are issued by council or certified swimming pool inspectors.
This certificate needs to be renewed every 3 years.
If a council or certified swimming pool inspector finds a pool does not meet the swimming pool spa fences and barriers safety requirements, a Certificate of Non-Compliance is issued.
This certificate is valid for 12 months, allowing any necessary rectification works to be completed.
In 2020, Victoria introduced the pool laws to the state. Inspections of your pool or spa barrier and pool certificates of barrier compliance are issued by
- a registered building surveyor
- a registered building inspector (Pool Safety)
- a municipal building surveyor
This certificate needs to be renewed every 4 years.
If building surveyor or pool safety inspector finds a pool does not meet the swimming pool spa fences and barriers safety requirements, a Certificate of Barrier Non-Compliance is issued.
Depending upon the rectification work required, this certificate is valid for up to 7 days or 60 days, allowing any necessary rectification works to be completed.
How long does a Pool Safety Inspection take?
Armed with a tape measure, your Pool Safety Inspector completes an onsite inspection within 25-45 minutes, depending on the size of the pool area, the type of fencing, the condition of gates and latches and whether there are any non-compliant issues to address.
During the inspection, the Pool Safety Inspector checks fence heights, gaps, gate operation, latch heights, climbable objects, and overall compliance with Australian Standards. If non-compliance issues are found, additional time may be needed for reinspection once repairs are completed.
The inspection can be completed as long as we have access to the pool area. You don’t need to be present.
If you’re worried you won’t understand what issues you need to address, you are emailed a detailed report including photos and vidoe with descriptions and explanations on rectifications.
We're on standby by phone or email to answer your questions.
What are the top reasons for failing a Pool Inspection?
- Gate hinges and/or latches are faulty or do not self-close
- Climbable objects are too close to a pool fence, such as trees, plant pots, BBQs and clothes lines
- Pool fence height is less than 1200mm or boundary fence height is less than 1800mm
- Distance between the vertical elements of a fence is greater than 100mm
- Distance below the bottom of the fence is greater than 100mm
- CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation sign is missing, incorrectly located or out of date
These have easy solutions prior to inspection.
Check the DIY Pool Safety Inspection Checklist to find out for yourself, or Contact Us.
What happens if my pool fails the inspection?
That’s OK. Pools are frequently not compliant because small rectifications are required.
If a Pool Safety Inspector finds a pool does not meet the swimming pool spa fences and barriers safety requirements, a certificate or notice is issued.
If your pool doesn’t comply, you’ll receive a
QLD Form 26 Non-Conformity Notice
NSW Certificate of Non-Compliance, or VIC Certificate of Barrier Non-Compliance.
If your pool is non-compliant, legally, Council requires notification after
90-days in QLD
6 weeks in NSW, and
67-days in VIC
after the First Inspection.
Rectifications may require the skills of a contractor builder. Be sure to pick the right builder who gets the job right the first time and saves you from spending money unnecessarily.
The best questions to ask your builder are
Do you know pool safety compliance?
I’m in NSW: what standard do I comply to?
Do you know how to do the rectification works to meet pool safety compliance?
Your report details what needs fixing with photos and video.. You’ll have time to complete repairs before Booking a Reinspection.
Can I still sell my home if my pool isn’t compliant?
Iin QLD and NSW, you can sell your property with a Non-Conformity or Non-Compliance Certificate, as long as the buyer agrees to obtain a Pool Safety Certificate within 90-days after settlement.
This does not appy to VIC. VIC simply needs to renew their Certificate every 4 years
Can I still rent my home if my pool is not compliant?
Rental properties with a pool or spa must be compliant before tenants move in.
If your pool is unsafe, councils or regulators can issue fines, notices, or prevent leasing until compliance is achieved.
Do Pool Safety Solutions offer Pool Fence Repairs or Rectification Solutions?
If your pool fails inspection, Pool Safety Solutions can connect you with licensed builders and repairers for pool fence repairs, gate adjustments and barrier rectifications to help you reach compliance quickly.