You need to have your safety barriers inspected by a registered building practitioner.
The swimming pool and spa barriers must be inspected and certified by a registered building surveyor or a registered building inspector. This certification will state that your barriers comply with the applicable barrier standard referenced in your letter from Council.
Timeframes
The date your barriers must be certified will depend on when the pool was built:
- Pools constructed on or before 30 June 1994 - certification must be lodged by 1 June 2022*
- Pools constructed on or after 1 July 1994 but before 1 May 2010 - certification must be lodged by 1 June 2023*
- Pools constructed on or after 1 May 2010 but before 1 June 2020 - certification must be lodged by 1 June 2024*
*Note: Once the Registered Pool Inspector commences the Compliance Inspection process, they administer the timelines specified in the Building Regulations to achieve compliance and Council notified timeframes will no longer be applicable. These timelines can vary due to the condition of the pool barrier and its best to discuss these directly with the pool Inspector at the time of the inspection.
If a Certificate of Barrier of Compliance is not issued within 60 days from the first inspection or if the barrier is not capable of being made compliant with the applicable standard the Registered Pool Inspector will send a Barrier of Non Compliance (Form 24) to the owner and council to notify us of the condition of the pool barrier. Council will investigate and determine to either grant additional time using a Barrier Improvement Notice (Form 25) or issue a Building Notice.
Who can inspect my safety barriers?
Swimming pool/spa barrier inspections can only be carried out by:
- a registered building surveyor
- a registered building inspector
Any building surveyor or building inspector who is registered with the Victorian Building Authority is able to inspect and certify your safety barriers.
How to find a registered building surveyor or building inspector
We suggest searching the internet for ‘Pool Compliance Inspections Melbourne’ and contacting a few different practitioners to obtain a quote. You can check if the practitioner is registered using the VBA's
Find out more about registered/licensed practitioners on VBA's Find a practitioner webpage.
What happens if I don’t have my barriers inspected?
It is an offence to fail to provide a Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance by the prescribed time or to fail to comply with an order or direction from Council. This may result in fines or prosecution.
Have you received a Barrier Improvement Notice (Form 25) from Council?
If you have received a Barrier Improvement Notice (Form25) from Council, this means we have received a Certificate of non-compliance (Form 24) from your Registered pool inspector advising Council your pool barrier needs to be maintained to achieve compliance with the Building Regulations. Accompanying the Notice is a copy of the Certificate of Barrier Non- Compliance from your swimming pool inspector.
Your next steps:
- Fix the items on the certificate of Barrier Non compliance provided by the registered pool inspector
- Contact your registered Pool inspector to book a follow-up Barrier inspection before the expiry date of the Barrier Improvement Notice (Form 25), if compliant the pool Inspector will issue a Certificate of Barrier Compliance (Form 23)
- Lodge the Certificate of Barrier Compliance (Form23) with council to attach the Certificate to the registration of your pool/spa pool by the expiry date on the Barrier Improvement Notice (Form 25)