Why Pool Safety Barriers Are Required
Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in young children in Australia. Victoria’s pool and spa safety laws exist to create a physical barrier between young children and water at all times — even when adults are nearby.
What Are the Requirements?
Pool safety barriers in Victoria must meet the requirements of Australian Standard AS 1926.1. Key requirements include:
- A minimum barrier height of 1200mm
- No climbable objects within 900mm of the inside of the barrier
- Self-closing and self-latching gates that open away from the pool
- No gaps greater than 100mm at the base of the barrier
- The barrier must isolate the pool from the house and any other climbable structures
Under the Building Act 1993 and the Building Regulations 2018, all swimming pools and spas in Victoria with a depth greater than 300mm must be surrounded by a compliant safety barrier.
Pool and Spa Registration
Since 2020, all pool and spa owners in Victoria are required to register their pool or spa with their local council. Following registration, barriers must be inspected by a licensed building surveyor at regular intervals to confirm ongoing compliance.
Pool Compliance Certificates
A pool compliance certificate confirms that your safety barrier meets all current Victorian requirements. Permission to Build can carry out your pool barrier inspection and issue your compliance certificate — keeping you on the right side of the law and your family protected.
At Permission to Build, we can advise you to ensure your pool is compliant in Victoria or NSW.
📞 Call us on 1300 996 947 to get started.
