Swimming pool safety requirements

Since 2000, 27 young children have drowned in private pools and spas in Victoria. In at least 20 of those cases, the coroner found the safety barrier was non-compliant.

To reduce the chance of further tragedies occurring regulations require:

• Landowners to register their private pools and spas with their local council and,
• arrange for the periodic inspection and certification of their safety barriers.

The council will inform owners of the date by which they must organise the first inspection and certification of their barrier.

The inspection and certification must be undertaken by a registered building surveyor or inspector and the barrier must be re-certified every four years.

In July 2019 DELWP released the draft Regulations and a Regulatory Impact Statement for public comment. These consultation documents can be accessed at Engage Victoria: 
Engage Vic: New safety standards for private swimming pools and spas

The final version of the Regulations can be accessed via Victorian Legislation.

For further information, please visit the Victorian Building Authority.