New Laws for Victorian Pool Fence Compliance

Updated Regulations for Pool Fences in Victoria

From 1^st December 2019 new fence laws in Victoria will take affect regarding spa and swimming pool safety. It is now compulsory that landowners with spas or swimming pools on their property register with local council.

New pool fencing regulations require pool and spa safety barriers to be inspected and a certificate of compliance to be lodged with their council.

Am I affected by the new regulations?

The new fence laws apply to swimming pools and spas holding more than 30cm of water. The new pool barrier compliance applies to permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools and some relocatable pools.

Once your swimming pool or spa has been registered you will need to arrange an inspection to assess if the barrier is compliant.

Depending on when your pool or spa was constructed you have different compliance dates. You will be required to lodge a new certificate every 4 years.

If you already have a pool or spa

The following checklists will help you assess the safety of your pool or spa barriers according to the building permit issue date;

• Checklist 1 (for pools and spas installed before 8th April 1991)

• Checklist 2 (for pools and spas installed between 8th April 1991 and 30th April 2010)

• Checklist 3 (for pools and spas installed after 1st May 2010)

Barriers not meeting the new Victorian regulations will be issued with a non-compliance certificate, giving you a 60-day period to make the barrier compliant.

Fees of up to $1,652 apply for failure to comply with both lodging the compliance certificate and failure to comply with the barrier improvement notice by the specified date.

In Victoria new swimming pools or spas being constructed will be subject to the new and strict regulations.

Not sure if your pool fence complies? Give us a call on 1300 854 140