New pool safety laws

New safety laws for owners of pools and spas to be introduced 1st December 2019.

New laws introduced by the Victorian Government require:

  • Mandatory registration of swimming pools and spas
  • A new compliance regime to improve swimming pool and spa safety

What will be required

Registration

From 1 December 2019, property owners, including landlords will be
required to register

their pool
or spa with Council by 14 April 2020.

Council will maintain the register of swimming pools and spas
within the municipality

through
owner registrations, existing Council records and aerial photography to ensure
the data base is up-to-date.

Certification

Property owners will also be required to have their swimming
pool and spa barriers inspected and certified by a registered
building surveyor or a registered building inspector every 4 years. This will
state whether the barrier of a swimming pool or spa complies with the
applicable requirements.

These requirements vary, depending on when the pool or
spa was installed.

The owner must then provide a copy of the certificate of
compliance to Council by the following dates;

  • For pools and spas constructed 30 June 1994 or earlier: 30 October
    2020.
  • For pools and spas constructed between 1 July 1994 and 1 May 2010: 30
    April 2021.
  • For pools and spas constructed from 1 May 2010: 29 October 2021.

As
the legislation is the draft phase, the above dates are subject to change.
Please visit this web page regularly as it will be updated when the final
regulations are passed.

/Public Release. View in full here.