On 1 December 2019, the Victorian Government introduced legislation that impacts all current and future swimming pool and spa owners. The intention of this legislation is to improve swimming pool and spa barrier safety.
What is required?
Registration
You are required to register your swimming pool or spa with your local council.
Certification
After registration, Council will advise certain prescribed information including the date of construction of the swimming pool or spa and legislation that the barrier must satisfy. Owners will then be required to engage a registered building surveyor or building inspector to inspect and certify the compliance of their safety barrier every four years.
For more information about the legislation, visit the Victorian Building Authority website.
Step 1 - Register your pool or spa
Complete online registration form.
Council will respond and send an invoice for the registration.
Registration fees:
| One off registration fee |
|
$34.19 |
Search fee (if building permit number not
provided with registration form) |
|
$50.72 |
Step 2 - Information provided
After you’ve registered your relocatable or permanent pool or spa, you will receive a letter from Council confirming details of when your pool or spa was constructed, the applicable barrier standard that the safety barrier must comply with and the due date for lodgement of the certificate of compliance.
As a guide, the following table outlines the dates and timelines (dependent on the construction date of your swimming pool or spa) that certification documentation is to be provided:
Construction date of
swimming pool or spa |
|
Date that the first certificate of compliance
will need to be submitted |
| Before 30 June 1994 |
|
1 June 2022 |
| 1 July 1994 - 30 April 2010 |
|
1 June 2023 |
| 1 May 2010 - 31 October 2020 |
|
1 June 2024 |
| Relocatable pool or spa |
|
Within 30 days of registration |
| After 1 November 2020 |
|
Within 30 days after receiving the Certificate of Final
Inspection / Occupancy Permit to the pool / spa |
Step 3 - Getting your pool or spa barrier checked
Owners will then be required to arrange for a registered building surveyor, building inspector or Council to inspect the barrier and have a Certificate of Compliance issued.
Step 4 - Lodgement of Certificate of Compliance
On receipt of the Certificate of Compliance, the owner is to lodge it with Council and pay the lodgement fee of $21.94.
The Certificate of Compliance is only valid for 30 days from the date of issue and must be lodged while still valid.
Please note that the landowner of a property containing a permanent or relocatable swimming pool or spa will be required to undertake Steps 3 & 4 every four years.
While there is now stricter laws on managing swimming pool and spa compliance, the requirement to have safety barriers installed and maintained have not changed.
It is recommended that you undertake a pool and spa safety barrier self-assessment to ensure compliance. Please visit the Victorian Building Authority website for a copy of the pool and spa safety barrier self-assessment checklist.
Permanent safety barriers are required for all permanent or relocatable pools and spas capable of containing a depth of water greater than 300mm, including:
- in-ground swimming pools
- hot tubs and Jacuzzis
- indoor swimming pools
- above-ground swimming pools
- spas
- inflatable and relocatable pools
Note:
- A lockable lid is not a compliant safety barrier.
- Indoor spa baths are not required to comply with the swimming pool or spa barrier requirements where used for hygiene purposes and emptied after each use.
Do I need a building permit to install a safety barrier?
Yes, a building permit is required to install a swimming pool or spa as well as installing or altering a swimming pool and spa safety barrier.