Community members cooling off in their new swimming pools and spas this summer are reminded to register and certify their structures, and have their barrier inspected by a registered pool inspector.
Since 2000, 20 out of 27 drowning deaths in pools or spas in Victoria may have been prevented if barriers met safety standards.
To reduce the chance of further drownings and improve safety for children, landowners must meet the requirements of state legislation introduced on 1 December 2019 by registering their pool or spa with the City.
It’s an owner’s responsibility to ensure that they register their newly-installed swimming pools or spas within 30 days from certification under a building permit. They only need to register once.
Safety barriers are required to be maintained and inspected every four years.
Pool and spa owners will receive information at registration as to which Australian Standard their safety barrier will need to comply with.
All existing pools constructed before November 2020 had to be registered by that date and these owners have already been contacted by the City if they haven’t registered.
Owners who fail to register and/or have their safety barriers certified within the required timeframe face penalties under Building Regulations 2018.
