Swimming Pool Safety

Swimming pool and spa pool owners must register their pool; there is a $220 penalty for owners who fail to do so. You can register your pool online on the NSW Government Swimming Pool Register Alternatively; registration can be completed through Council with an administration fee payable.

Owners are required to self-assess and state that their pool complies with the applicable standards when registering. Self-assessment checklists can be found on the Swimming Pool Register website.

Pool Compliance

In keeping with this, and in accordance with Section 22B of the Swimming Pools Act 1992, Council has developed and adopted a policy and program for the inspection of pools and spas to ensure ongoing compliance with the safety requirements for pools outlined in the Swimming Pool Act.

More information about how Council is meeting its responsibilities can be found in the Swimming Pool Inspection Policy and Swimming Pool Inspection Fact sheet.

A pool safety barrier is intended to restrict unsupervised child access to the pool. The pool safety barrier is the first line of defence against child access to the pool enclosure.

However, parents of young children cannot rely solely upon a pool safety barrier as the only means of protection against accidental drowning. Young children should be adequately supervised near backyard swimming pools.

Is Your Pool Fence And Gate Ok?

1. Gates need to be self-latching, self-closing and never propped open
2. Minimum fence height is 1200mm (and for boundary fences 1800mm).
3. Gaps no larger than 100mm anywhere.
4. Keep BBQ's, furniture etc. 900mm away from the pool fence.
5. Always to remember to supervise children near pools.

All properties with a swimming pool or spa pool that are being sold or leased, needs to have a valid certificate of compliance, certificate of non-compliance or a relevant occupation certificate.

A ‘certificate of non-compliance’ will enable the seller to transfer the responsibility to obtain a certificate of compliance to the buyer. This transfer will take effect through the attachment of a certificate of non-compliance to the contract for sale.

Buyers will have 90 days from the date of settlement to rectify defects listed in the certificate of non-compliance and obtain a certificate of compliance.

Owners may apply for a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate from Council or an accredited certifier so they are in a position to confidently register their pool. There is a fee payable for this service and a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate is valid for three years.

To find out more and apply for a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate see Certification.

Council is required to investigate any complaints received, alleging that a pool does not meet the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act 1992.

When Council receives such a complaint, a written request will be forwarded to the owner of the swimming pool to arrange access for an inspection. If an inspection confirms that the complaint is substantiated, a Notice of Proposed Direction will be issued to the owner of the swimming pool.