Swimming pools and spas

Close up of a pool and steps

Do you have an existing pool, or are you considering installing a pool or spa at your property? Find out what you need to do, from inspections to registrations and compliance.

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Swimming Pool and Spa Safety

On December 1st, 2019, the State Government introduced a mandatory pool/spa registration and safety barrier compliance process for all pool/spa owners in Victoria. The aim is to prevent accidental drownings in residential pools/spas by ensuring safety barriers are regularly maintained.

All pools and spas capable of holding water to a depth of more than 30cm must register with Council and have a compliant safety barrier.

This includes pools and spas that are:

  • permanent
  • in-ground
  • above-ground
  • inflatable
  • relocatable
  • temporary
  • wading pools

New Swimming Pool or Spa

If you are considering building a new pools or spa, you will need the following:

  1. A building permit before construction starts
  2. Once completed, the pool or spa must be registered and the Compliance Certificate (also known as a Form 23) lodged with the City of Darebin. The Compliance Certificate ensures that the pool/spa meets current safety and compliance standards and is issued after your pool inspector/building surveyor has inspected the safety barriers.  For new pools the registration and Compliance Certificate can be lodged together.

Existing Swimming Pools or Spas

If you have an existing swimming pool or spa, ensuring that it is safe and has compliant barriers is your responsibility as the homeowner. 

5 steps to a compliant pool or spa 

1. Register

You only ever need to register your pool once. If you are not sure whether you have registered your pool you can check with Council using the following links:

2. Receive Registration Confirmation from Council

Once you have registered, wait to receive a confirmation of registration letter from Council. This will include all your pool’s/spa’s registration details and can be provided to your pool inspector. 

3. Arrange an Inspection

Arrange an inspection of your pool/spa safety barrier with a registered private swimming pool inspector. Council does not perform these inspections. You must source and engage the inspector yourself.

4. Submit your Compliance Certificate (Form 23)

The compliance certificate confirms that your pool barrier has been inspected, by a registered building surveyor/building inspector or pool inspector and meets the required Australian Standard.

5. Repeat Lodgement every 4 Years

To maintain continued compliance, the barrier must be reinspected, and a new Form 23 lodged with Council every 4 years. Council will send you a reminder when the next due date is approaching.

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