FAQβs
WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES DATES FOR POOL/SPA BARRIER COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE LODGEMENT?
Pool/spa construction date - Form 23 - Compliance certificate must be lodged by
On or before 30 June 1994 - 1 June 2022 (EXPIRED)
From 1 July 1994 until 30 April 2010 - 1 June 2023 (EXPIRED)
From 1 May 2010 until 31 October 2020 - 1 June 2024 (EXPIRED)
Future Form 23 lodgements are due 4 years from the date of your
current Form 23 Compliance Certificate.
Additional information is available on the VBA website HERE.
When do I need to register my swimming pool or spa ?
Property owners with pools or spas constructed prior to 1 November 2020 are required to have had their pool or spa registered with their local council by 1 November 2020. Fees and penalties apply for failure to register your pool or spa.
It's important to register your pool or spa as soon as possible in order to understand the date of construction which will determine how long you have until you are required lodge a Form 23 - Certificate of Barrier Compliance.
If you have a pool or spa constructed after 1 November 2020, the process is slightly different, as you need to register within 30 days of receiving your occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection. As part of your registration you must include a Certificate of Barrier Compliance.
How do I register my swimming pool or spa ?
You register your pool or spa with the local Council.
Each council in Victoria has online services for the registration of your pool or spa. Following registration, your local council will send you an email or letter confirming that your pool or spa has been registered, confirming the date of construction and the applicable Australian Standard that it relates to.
What swimming pools or spas require to be registered ?
All swimming pools and spas capable of containing water to a depth greater than 300 mm (30 cm) must be registered and have a compliant safety barrier to restrict access to the pool area by young children (under the age of five). Registration is required for:
in-ground pools and spas
above-ground pools and spas, including relocatable and inflatable pools that are capable of holding more than 300 mm (30 cm) depth of water and require assembly on site.
indoor pools and spas
Registration is not required for:
inflatable swimming pools (typically toddler or wading pools) that cannot contain a water depth greater than 300 mm (30 cm).
small inflatable pools that do not consist of multiple components and do not require any assembly. An example of such a product is a small inflatable pool that requires no assembly other than inflation.
bird baths
fountains
water supply/storage tanks
fish ponds
dams
baths used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use
spas inside a building (e.g. in a bathroom) used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use
pools or spas that cannot contain a water depth of more than 300 mm.
HOW OFTEN DO POOL /SPA BARRIERS NEED TO BE INSPECTED FOR COMPLIANCE?
The regulations state that a Form 23 - Certificate of Compliance is required to be lodged with Council every four years. Council will write to pool/spa owners advising them of the next lodgement date.
WHO ARE OUR CUSTOMERS?
We are licensed to carry out compliance inspections in Victoria for swimming pool and spa safety barriers, our customer base includes the following :
Residential home owners
Body corporates
Real estate agents
Hotels
CAN I SAFETY CHECK MY OWN POOL OR SPA BARRIER?
We strongly recommend you complete regular safety checks of your pool or spa barrier. The Victorian Building Authority has made available three checklists to help you understand the requirements to get your pool or spa safety barrier compliant. You can access these checklists here at the Victorian Building Authority's website, you need to select the relevant checklist based upon the date of construction of your pool or spa. Your local Council will provide this information to you when you have registered your pool or spa.
These self safety checks arenβt a substitute for an inspection by a qualified inspector, they will assist you in making a safety barrier compliant and keeping children safer in and around you pool or spa environment.
DO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR THE INSPECTION?
We advise the pool/spa owner should be present at the inspection, this allows our inspectors to clearly explain and advise on rectification work that may be required.
DO WE OFFER A Consultation Inspection Service?
Yes, we offer a consultation inspection service, this service is for pool/spa owners, estate agents or landlords that require professional advise on the compliance of their barrier that may well be non-compliant. Our inspectors would carry out a full consultation inspection report and then discuss in detail with the pool/spa owner any non-compliant matters that require rectification. The pool/spa owner would be issued with a copy report with supporting images. The cost of a consultation inspection is $150 inc GST
What are your payment terms?
We send you an invoice by email and this payment is not due until after the final inspection is completed.
We also accept payment by Cash, EFT, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay & Google Pay.