Ensuring your Melbourne swimming pool or spa complies with safety standards is not just a legal requirement-it’s a critical part of responsible ownership. One of the key legal obligations for pool and spa owners in Victoria is obtaining a Pool Safety Compliance Certificate. This certificate confirms that your pool’s safety barrier complies with the standards outlined by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), helping prevent drownings and risks, particularly involving children.
If you’re wondering what the pool safety compliance steps are, this article outlines the 10 essential stages, from registration to final certification.
How to Get Your Pool Certified for Safety Compliance?
Obtaining a pool safety compliance certificate is essential for ensuring your swimming pool meets Victorian safety regulations. Here’s how the process works:
Step 1: Register Your Pool or Spa with the Local Council
The first step towards compliance is registering your swimming pool or spa with your local council. This process is mandatory for all pool owners in Victoria and includes both permanent and relocatable pools capable of holding more than 30cm of water.
- You’ll need to provide basic details such as the property address and the approximate construction date of your pool or spa.
- A one-time registration fee applies.
- After registration, the council will inform you of the safety standard that applies based on the pool’s installation date.
Step 2: Understand Your Applicable Safety Standards
Once registered, your local council will confirm which version of the Australian Standards your pool or spa must comply with. These vary depending on whether your pool was built before or after certain cut-off dates (such as 1994 or 2010).
Understanding the applicable standard is crucial before arranging a swimming pool inspection, as it determines what features your safety barrier must include, such as fence height, gate functionality, and clearances.
Step 3: Conduct a Self-Assessment (Optional but Recommended)
Before booking an official inspection, it’s advisable to perform a self-assessment of your pool safety barrier. The VBA provides helpful self-assessment checklists that correspond to different construction periods.
This step allows you to address basic issues like broken gates, climbable objects near the fence, or incorrect latch heights before involving professional swimming pool inspectors, saving time and money.
Step 4: Hire a Registered Swimming Pool Inspector
Only a registered swimming pool inspector can legally conduct a formal safety inspection and issue a certificate of compliance. These professionals are licensed by the VBA and trained to assess pool barriers against the applicable standards.
When hiring an inspector:
- Ensure they are VBA-registered.
- Check their reviews, credentials, and insurance.
- Ask if they offer follow-up swimming pool safety inspections if changes are needed.
Step 5: Book a Professional Swimming Pool Safety Inspection
During the swimming pool inspection, the inspector will assess:
- Fence height and material
- Gate latching and self-closing functionality
- Gaps under the fence
- Climbable objects within 900mm of the barrier
- Openings between vertical bars
This process typically takes 30–60 minutes, depending on the pool type and property conditions.
Step 6: Receive an Inspection Report
After the inspection, the swimming pool inspector will issue a report stating whether your barrier is compliant or not. The outcomes are usually:
- Compliant: A Certificate of Barrier Compliance (Form 23) is issued.
- Non-compliant (minor issues): You will receive a written notice with 60 days to rectify the issues.
- Non-compliant (major safety risks): Immediate corrective action is required, and a second inspection may be scheduled within a shorter period.
Step 7: Undertake Necessary Repairs or Upgrades
If the inspection identifies safety concerns, you must carry out the required changes to bring your barrier up to code. Common upgrades include:
- Replacing faulty gate latches
- Removing climbable structures like garden furniture or pot plants
- Increasing the fence height or modifying gaps
It’s essential to complete these upgrades within the inspector’s specified timeframe to avoid penalties and reinspection delays.
Step 8: Arrange a Reinspection (If Required)
After you’ve completed the necessary repairs, contact the same swimming pool inspector for a second swimming pool safety inspection. During the reinspection, the inspector will verify that all previously noted safety breaches have been resolved.
Once your barrier passes, you’ll receive the Certificate of Barrier Compliance.
Step 9: Submit the Certificate to Your Local Council
Once you’ve received the certificate from your inspector, it must be submitted to your local council within 30 days. This step finalises your compliance for the current inspection cycle.
- Councils typically accept certificates via online portals, email, or post.
- A submission fee may apply depending on the municipality.
Failure to submit the certificate within the designated timeframe may result in fines or further inspections.
Step 10: Schedule Future Safety Inspections
Compliance is not a one-time event. In Victoria, pool and spa owners must undergo swimming pool safety inspections every four years. After each cycle, a new certificate of compliance must be submitted to the council.
To stay compliant:
- Mark the certificate expiry date on your calendar.
- Maintain your pool barrier throughout the year.
- Rebook with licensed swimming pool inspectors before your certificate expires.
Why are these pool safety compliance steps important?
Here’s why they matter:
- Legal and Safety Assurance: Swimming pool inspections are not just a legal requirement; they’re essential for reducing the risk of accidental drownings and ensuring responsible pool ownership.
- Expert Risk Detection: Professional inspectors are trained to identify potential risks that may not be obvious to homeowners, especially in older or recently renovated properties.
- Trusted Local Expertise: Bayside Peninsula Pool Compliance is led by Leigh, a fully registered and VBA-accredited pool safety inspector with extensive experience across Bayside, the Peninsula, and Greater Melbourne.
- Thorough and Reliable Service from Bayside Peninsula Pool Compliance:
- Clear, easy-to-understand compliance reports with practical recommendations
- Same-day issue of compliance certificates (Form 23), when the criteria are met
- Competitive flat rate of $250 including GST
- Free follow-up inspections are included if required.
- Support Every Step of the Way: The company provides helpful pre-inspection guidance and downloadable checklists to make it easier for pool owners to prepare and comply.
- Stress-Free Process: Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager, or business owner, Bayside Peninsula Pool Compliance ensures a smooth and supportive compliance experience.
Take Away
Following the right pool compliance inspections steps ensures your Melbourne pool is both safe and legally compliant. From registration to engaging licensed swimming pool inspectors, every stage is designed to prevent injuries and create safer pool environments.
Staying ahead with routine swimming pool safety inspections not only protects lives but also avoids costly penalties. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or body corporate, it’s crucial to take these responsibilities seriously.
Call Leigh on 0403 577 254 to book your inspection and get your pool certified with confidence.