Owning a pool in Melbourne comes with the responsibility of ensuring safety and compliance with local regulations. These rules are designed to protect lives, particularly young children, and cover everything from pool design and construction to regular inspections. For pool owners, staying informed about these requirements is essential to avoid penalties and maintain a safe environment.
At Bayside Peninsula Pool Compliance, we help pool owners navigate these regulations. Our expert swimming pool inspector, Leigh, ensures your pool meets all legal standards, from inspections to issuing compliance certificates. In this blog, we’ll break down Melbourne’s pool safety regulations, providing practical insights every pool owner needs to know.
Getting a Pool Permit in Victoria
The first step in ensuring compliance is registering your pool with your local council. Since June 1, 2020, all new pools and spas in Victoria must be registered within 30 days of receiving an occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection.
If your pool or spa was built before this date and hasn’t been registered yet, it’s important to act immediately. Make sure you have documentation about when it was built, as this will be required during registration. Keep in mind that late registration may result in a fine, so don’t delay!
Can You Sell a House with a Non-Compliant Pool in Victoria?
Yes, you can sell a house with a non-compliant pool in Victoria, but it can complicate the process. Sellers must disclose the pool’s compliance status to potential buyers. Depending on the agreement, the seller may need to address compliance issues before the sale or negotiate terms based on the pool’s condition.
What Are the Design Requirements for a Swimming Pool?
Swimming pools in Melbourne must adhere to specific design standards to ensure safety and functionality. These include:
- Adequate depth for intended use.
- Proper filtration systems for clean water.
- Safe electrical installations.
- Fully compliant safety barriers.
Meeting these conditions ensures the pool is safe and adheres to local regulations.
Pool Fence Rules in Victoria
Victorian pool safety regulations require a compliant safety barrier for any pool deeper than 30cm. If your pool was built after 2010, it must have fencing on all four sides, separate from the house. Windows near the pool must be child-resistant, with screens or limited openings of up to 125mm. Remove climbable objects like plants or furniture near the barrier, and ensure there are no footholds or gaps larger than 100mm in the fence panels.
Pool Fence Height
- Height: Fencing must be at least 1.2m high.
- Gates: Gates must self-close, self-latch, and open outwards. The latch must be at least 1.5m off the ground.
- Boundary Fences: If used as a pool barrier, the height requirement increases to 1.8m.
- Bottom Gap: Ensure the gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is no more than 100mm.
Organising a Pool Inspection
Once your pool is registered with the council, a licensed inspector will assess it for compliance. Upon approval, you’ll receive a Certificate of Compliance, which must be lodged with your council within 30 days.
Ongoing Inspections
Since December 1, 2019, pool fences in Victoria must be inspected every four years to maintain compliance. Schedule regular inspections to ensure your pool stays safe and meets all regulations.
How Much Does a Pool Compliance Certificate Cost in Victoria?
The cost of obtaining a pool compliance certificate in Victoria typically ranges between $250 and $500, depending on the inspection service. This certificate confirms that your pool meets all legal safety standards.
Why Choose Bayside Peninsula Pool Compliance’s Pool Inspector – Leigh?
Choosing the right pool inspector is important to ensure the safety and compliance of your pool, and Leigh from Bayside Peninsula Pool Compliance is the expert you can trust. With thorough knowledge of pool safety barrier inspections in Melbourne, Leigh delivers thorough and reliable assessments as per Victorian regulations.
Leigh’s approach ensures every detail of your pool barrier is inspected, helping you secure a compliance certificate efficiently. Whether you’re preparing to sell your property or simply ensuring your pool’s safety, Leigh’s expertise makes the process easy.
For more information on pool inspections in Melbourne, schedule an appointment today by giving us a call on 0403 577 254.