SWIMMING POOL REGISTRATION
In Victoria, the construction and installation of swimming pools, spas and safety barriers and barrier maintenance are all subject to the requirements of the Building Regulations 2018 (the Regulations).
On 1 December 2019, new laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria. They introduce new registration, inspection and certification requirements for property owners.
The laws apply to swimming pools and spas that are more than 300 mm (30 cm) deep. This includes permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools, and some relocatable pools.
As a pool or spa owner you need to complete the following:
1. Register your pool with your local council;
2. Organise an inspection of your pool barrier by a registered swimming pool inspector;
3. Rectify any issues identified by your pool inspection; and
4. Submit a certificate of compliance to your council by the due date.
Registering with the Council
It is mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located to register their pool or spa with the relevant council.
You will be required to complete a registration form and pay the registration fee. For pools and spas constructed or commenced before 1 November 2020, an information search fee will also be payable.
Please check your Council for the fees payable and the deadlines for registration of your swimming pool or spa. Failure to register your swimming pool or spa with the Council could result in a penalty fee. Please check with your local council the penalty fees payable for non-compliance.
Pool and Spa Inspections and Compliance
Owners are also required to have their safety barriers inspected and to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance with their council. If a safety barrier is not compliant, it is the owner’s responsibility to make the barrier compliant.
An inspection of your pool or spa barrier can only be carried out by:
5. a registered building surveyor; or
6. a registered building inspector; or
7. a municipal building surveyor.
You can search for a registered building practitioner authorised to carry out inspections and certification using the find a practitioner tool on the Victorian Building Authority Website - https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/tools/find-practitioner
Certificate of Compliance
If the inspector determines that your safety barrier complies with the applicable barrier standard, they will issue a certificate of barrier compliance. As the owner of the land with the pool or spa, you then need to lodge the certificate with your Council within 30 days of the date of issue of the certificate.
When the Council receives the certificate, they will send you a written notice, which confirms:
8. the date the certificate was lodged; and
9. the date by which the next certificate is required to be lodged.
You will need to pay a fee to the council when you lodge the certificate.
For deadlines for inspection and lodgement of certificate of barrier compliance please check with your local council.
It is important to note that you are required to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance every four years.
We remind you that swimming pool and spa owners have a legal obligation to ensure that they maintain the effective operation of swimming pool and spa safety barriers.
If you would like more information or require assistance with registering your swimming pool or spa, please contact our office on 03 9707 1155.