boy swimming in a pool

Swimming Pools and Spas

New pool and spa registration and inspection requirements

On 1 December 2019, new regulations to improve swimming pool and spa safety come into effect in Victoria. New registration, inspection and certification requirements now apply for property owners.

As part of the changes, owners of the land are required to register their pool and/or spa with their local council and have the safety barrier inspected once every four years.

The State Government has extended the timeline to lodge your Certificate of Compliance with Council. 

To view new lodgement dates please see Certificate of Compliance Submission Dates tab below.

A swimming pool is any excavation or structure capable of containing a depth of more than 300mm of water and is used primarily for swimming, wading, paddling or similar. This includes wading/blow-up pools, spas/blow-up spas, above-ground and indoor pools. Excluding indoor spas inside a building (e.g. in a bathroom) used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use.

All swimming pools and spas must have a compliant safety barrier to restrict access to the pool area by young children.

A building permit is required for the construction and alteration of all barrier/s for a swimming pool and spa. Building permit is also required for the construction of swimming pool.

Important step-by-step information

As a pool or spa owner you must complete the following:

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1. Register 

Register your pool and/or spa with your local council by 1 November 2020.

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2. Inspect

Organise an inspection of your pool and/or spa safety barrier by a registered swimming pool inspector.

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3. Rectify

Rectify any issues identified by your pool and/or spa inspection

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4. Submit 

Submit a certificate of complicance to the Greater Dandenong City Council by the due date.

Reminder that all swimming pools and spas must be registered by 1 November 2020.

Registration Application Form - 122KB

Swimming pool and spa registration and compliance fees

Name Standard fee
Registration and Document Search $81.65
Lodgement of Non-Compliance Certificate $397.50
Lodgement of Compliance Certificate $21.80

Important resources including languages 

Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority - 966KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Arabic) - 540KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Cantonese) - 387KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Hindi) - 381KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Mandarin) - 386KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Punjabi) - 467KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Sinhalese) - 416KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Turkish) - 358KB
Safe Pools Are Great Pools Resource - Victorian Building Authority (Vietnamese) - 400KB

On

Key Dates

Swimming pool Registration date
Pools constructed before 1 November 2020 (reg 147L) Swimming pools(a) constructed before 1 November 2020; or(b) in respect of which construction was commenced but not completed before 1 November 2020. Excludes a relocatable swimming pool

The later of: 1 November 2020

or

  • 30 days after the date the Occupancy Permit or Certificate of Final Inspection is issued.
Pools constructed on or after 1 November 2020 (reg 147M) for which a building permit for construction of the swimming pool was issued—(a) on or after 1 November 2020; or(b) before 1 November 2020 but construction of the swimming pool did not commence until on or after that date.(Excludes a relocatable swimming pool)

30 days after the date of issue of the occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection for the pool and spa;

and

  • Required to lodge the certificate of barrier compliance at the same time as your registration application.
If the relocatable pool or spa was erected before 1 November 2020 and remains erected for at least 3 consecutive days immediately before 1 November 2020

By 4 November 2020 if erected 3 or more days prior to 1 June and remains erected,

or

  • On the 4th day after the relocatable pool was erected.

 

 

Certificate of Compliance Submission Dates

The State Government has extended the timeline to lodge your Certificate of Compliance with Council. 

The due date for lodging your Certificate of Compliance has been extended as follows:

Swimming pool construction date Due date of first barrier compliance certificate
30 June 1994 or earlier1 June 2022
From 1 July 1994 until 30 April 20101 June 2023
From 1 May 2010 until 31 May 20201 June 2024
On or after 1 November 2020At the time of applying for registration
The date the relocatable swimming pool was last erectedNo later than 30 days after the date the pool was registered

The construction and installation of swimming pools, spas, safety barriers and barrier maintenance are all subject to the requirements of the Building Regulations 2018 (the Regulations).

It is the responsibility of the property owner that all pools and spas are correctly fenced and secured according to the Regulations.  Council encourages all owners to inspect and review the compliance of their pools and spas using the Victorian Building Authority’s three self-assessment checklists.

 

Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Pool and Spa Safety Barrier Checklist

  • Pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991 - Checklist 1
  • Pools and spas installed between 8 April 1991 and 30 April 2010 - Checklist 2
  • Pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010 - Checklist 3

Safety Barrier Inspections

Who can inspect my safety barriers?

Any building surveyor or building inspector who is registered with the Victorian Building Authority is able to inspect and certify your safety barriers. You can also check is a building practitioner or company is regsitered use the VBA's Find a Practitioner directory.
 

Will Council provide details on who will inspect my safety barriers?

The council is able to recommend or provide details of building surveyors or building inspectors that can inspect your safety barriers. A list is available by search the VBA's Find a Practitioner directory.

For further information please visit the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) website for all current updates regarding swimming pools and spa regulations.

Applying for a building permit

Applying for a building permit 

If a building permit is required, 

Instructions on how to apply can be found on the page.

Still not sure if you need a permit?

If you are not sure if you require a permit or have any questions feel free to contact us.

Telephone: 8571 1515

Email: building.services@cgd.vic.gov.au

Please note: If a pool/spa area is deemed unsafe enforcement action, fines and possible court action may be instigated.

City of Greater Dandenong

Dandenong Civic Centre

225 Lonsdale Street

Dandenong

Victoria Australia 3175

Haven't found what you need?

Contact us on 8571 1000 or council@cgd.vic.gov.au

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Greater Dandenong City Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Bunurong People, and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their continuing connections to climate, Culture, Country and waters.