Your Pool Barrier Questions, Answered Plainly

Form 23 is the certificate of barrier compliance. A registered inspector issues it when your pool or spa barrier meets the standard that applied when it was built. You then lodge it with your council within 30 days of issue.

Every four years. Council confirms in writing when the next certificate is due.

It must be lodged within 30 days of issue. Once lodged, it lasts until the next certificate is due.

Register your pool or spa with council, then book an inspection with a registered practitioner. If the barrier complies, you receive your certificate.

Yes. Registration is mandatory for pools and spas holding more than 30cm of water, whether or not children live at the property.

The inspector checks barrier height, gaps under and through the fence, gates, latches, climbable objects, doors and windows that form part of the barrier, retaining walls and the strength and condition of the whole barrier, against your applicable standard.

Fencing, gates, windows, doors, retaining walls, above-ground pools and barrier strength.

Look for gates that don’t close or latch properly, gaps under the fence, climbable objects near the barrier, damaged panels and anything reducing the fence height.

AS 1926.1 is the Australian Standard for pool safety barriers, with several editions.

Register the pool or spa, keep a barrier meeting the standard that applied when built, and lodge a certificate every four years.

The inspector may give you a written notice listing the fixes, with a deadline of up to 60 days and a re-inspection date. Serious issues require a certificate of barrier non-compliance to be lodged straight away.

When a certificate of barrier non-compliance is lodged, council notifies you and a fee applies. The municipal building surveyor may then issue a barrier improvement notice.

Fix each item that doesn’t meet your applicable standard, then have the barrier re-inspected before your deadline. Many fixes are simple and inexpensive.

On-the-spot fines can apply for failing to register, lodge a certificate or comply with a notice. Amounts can change, so check with your council.

Yes. Spas and hot tubs that can hold more than 30cm of water need a compliant barrier and must be registered with council, just like a swimming pool.

A portable spa set up for three or more consecutive days must be registered with council. Its barrier may also need a building permit.

Obligations pass to the buyer at settlement. Ask your conveyancer about contracts.

The owner certifies the barrier. Owners and occupants both keep it maintained.

Yes. Pool gates must close and latch automatically from any open position, without anyone pushing them, and must swing away from the pool. Closers lose tension over time, so test your gate regularly and replace worn hardware early.

Generally at least 1500mm above ground level. Some standards allow alternatives, such as a shielded latch.

Small gaps, no footholds or handholds within a child’s reach and a clear zone around the barrier kept free of furniture, pot plants, barbecues and other climbable objects.

A boundary fence can form part of a barrier if it meets the height and non-climbable requirements of your applicable standard.

Steps must sit outside your standard’s clear zone, generally 1200mm for older pools or 900mm for newer pools.

There is no set fee in Victoria. Our pricing is competitive, most prices are matched or beaten, and discounts apply for eligible customers.

It varies, and the BPC recommends getting quotes. We offer 10% off for emergency services and healthcare workers, and 15% off group bookings.

We are based in Diamond Creek and inspect pools and spas across Melbourne and throughout Victoria, often with next-day bookings including Saturdays.

Yes, plus separate council fees.