Yes. In Victoria, any swimming pool or spa capable of holding more than 300 mm of water must have a compliant safety barrier and be registered with the local council. This applies to in-ground pools, above-ground pools, spas and some relocatable or temporary pools.

Many property owners are surprised to learn that age, style or temporary installation does not automatically exempt a pool. If your property has a pool or spa and you’re unsure of its requirements, a compliance inspection can confirm what applies to your situation.

A compliant pool barrier in Victoria must be designed to restrict unsupervised access to the pool area by young children. Key requirements include minimum fence heights, restricted gaps, clear non-climbable zones and compliant gates.

In most cases, pool barriers must be at least 1.2 metres high, gates must be self-closing and self-latching, and there must be no climbable objects or gaps exceeding 100 mm within designated areas. The exact requirements depend on when the pool was constructed and whether boundary fencing forms part of the barrier.

Pool and spa barriers in Victoria must be inspected every four years by a registered pool barrier inspector. Following the inspection, a Certificate of Barrier Compliance (or non-compliance) must be issued and lodged with your local council by the due date.

Council deadlines vary, so it’s important for property owners to keep track of inspection dates to avoid penalties.

Failing to lodge a Certificate of Barrier Compliance with your local council by the required date is an offence in Victoria and can result in fines or enforcement action.

If a barrier is found to be non-compliant, owners are typically given time to rectify issues before a follow-up inspection. Engaging a registered inspector early helps identify and resolve issues before deadlines are missed.

If you’ve purchased a property with a pool or spa, you should first check with the local council to confirm whether the pool is registered and whether a current compliance certificate is on file.

If records are unclear, missing or out of date, arranging a pool barrier inspection is the most reliable way to confirm compliance and understand any actions required as the new owner.

Yes, a boundary fence can be used as part of a pool barrier if it meets stricter height and non-climbable requirements. In most cases, boundary fences must be at least 1.8 metres high on the pool side and free of climbable features.

If a boundary fence does not meet these standards, additional internal fencing may be required to achieve compliance.

The most common pool barrier compliance issues include gates that don’t self-close properly, latches that are incorrectly positioned, and objects such as pot plants, furniture or BBQs within non-climbable zones.

Other frequent issues include deteriorated fencing, gaps that exceed allowable limits, or changes to landscaping that unintentionally create climbable areas. Many of these issues can be fixed quickly once identified.

Temporary or inflatable pools that can hold more than 300 mm of water and remain set up for more than a short period are generally required to comply with Victorian pool barrier regulations.

Smaller inflatable pools that do not exceed this depth may be exempt, but owners should exercise caution. If a pool can be filled to a regulated depth, it’s safest to assume compliance requirements apply and seek advice from a registered inspector.

Yes. Pool barrier requirements in Victoria vary depending on when the pool was constructed and which standard applies to that build date.

Older pools are not exempt from compliance, but they may be assessed against different standards. A registered inspection will determine which regulations apply and whether the existing barrier meets current legal requirements.

In Victoria, the property owner is legally responsible for ensuring pool barrier compliance, regardless of whether the property is owner-occupied or tenanted.

For rental properties, owners must ensure barriers remain compliant at all times, not just at inspection intervals. Regular checks help avoid issues caused by wear, damage or changes to the property.