Swimming Pool Inspection
& Safety Compliance

A swimming pool safety inspection is a thorough assessment of your pool and its surrounding barriers to ensure compliance with Australian pool safety standards and regulations.

In NSW and Queensland you need pool barrier certificates to sell or lease a property with a pool, and in Victoria every pool needs a barrier compliance certificate lodged with council every 4 years. Certificates are issued by councils and registered or licensed pool inspectors; our inspection checks the barrier first so you know what to fix.

It depends on the state. A NSW certificate of compliance lasts 3 years. A Queensland pool safety certificate lasts 1 year for a shared pool and 2 years for a non-shared pool. In Victoria a new barrier compliance certificate is due every 4 years and must be lodged with council within 30 days of issue.

Owner Inspections inspects pools across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

Our inspection covers pool fencing height and gaps, gate latches and self-closing mechanisms, CPR signage, window and door access, climbable objects near the fence, and overall barrier compliance.

If we find problems, our report lists every item that would fail, with photos, so you can fix them before the certifier or council inspects. We can re-check the barrier after the repairs.

Costs vary depending on your location and property type. Contact us for a tailored quote based on your specific requirements.

We aim to schedule pool inspections within a few days of your request. Contact us to arrange a convenient time.

Our inspectors assess pool barriers against AS 1926 and the rules in your state. The compliance certificate itself is issued by your council or a registered pool inspector (a QBCC-licensed pool safety inspector in Queensland), and our inspection prepares you for that visit.

In NSW a sale contract needs a certificate of compliance, a recent occupation certificate or a certificate of non-compliance, and a lease needs a certificate of compliance or occupation certificate. In Queensland a lease needs a current pool safety certificate, and a buyer without one must get it within 90 days of settlement.

The minimum pool fence height is 1.2 metres above ground level in all Australian states. The fence must not have any gaps, holes, or openings that a young child could climb through or pass through. Specific gap requirements vary between states, but generally no gap wider than 100mm is permitted.

Yes, indoor pools are subject to the same barrier and safety requirements as outdoor pools. The room containing the pool must be separated from the rest of the dwelling by compliant barriers, including self-closing and self-latching doors. Windows providing access to the pool area must also comply with safety requirements.

A non-compliance notice is issued when a pool inspection identifies safety barriers or features that do not meet the required standards. The notice details each item that needs rectification. Property owners must address all non-compliant items before a compliance certificate can be issued.

Yes, spas and hot tubs that hold water to a depth of 300mm or more are classified as swimming pools under Australian regulations and must comply with the same barrier and safety requirements. The same certificate rules apply when you sell or lease a property with a spa.

The most common failure points include gates that do not self-close or self-latch properly, fence gaps wider than 100mm, climbable objects within 900mm of the barrier, fence height below 1.2 metres, missing or incorrect CPR signage, and non-compliant window or door access to the pool area.

Yes, in most states the regulations apply to all swimming pools regardless of whether they contain water or are in use. An empty pool is still classified as a swimming pool and must have compliant barriers. Some councils may allow exemptions if the pool is permanently filled in and decommissioned.

Penalties vary by state. In NSW a penalty notice for most pool barrier offences is $550, and a court can impose up to 50 penalty units ($5,500 for an individual). Queensland and Victoria set their own penalties, and councils can also order the barrier to be fixed.

Yes, property owners or their representatives are welcome to attend the pool safety inspection. This allows you to see any issues firsthand and discuss rectification options with the inspector. However, your attendance is not mandatory for the inspection to proceed.

Yes, above-ground pools must comply with the same safety barrier requirements as in-ground pools. The pool wall may be counted as part of the barrier if it meets height and non-climbable surface requirements. Our inspectors assess all pool types including above-ground, in-ground, and semi-recessed pools.

A pool safety certificate confirms that your pool barriers meet the required safety standards for child protection. A pool condition report assesses the physical condition of the pool itself, including the shell, equipment, plumbing, and surfaces. Our pool inspection focuses on safety compliance and barrier assessment.