Barrier compliance required in June for certain pools and spas

By Anna McGuinness

Apr 13, 2022

Reminder: Some pool and spa owners are required to submit a barrier compliance certificate by June 1 this year. Photo by Megan Fisher

Some pool and spa owners could soon be due for their first barrier compliance certificate since new Victorian regulations were implemented in 2019.

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Shepparton registered pool and spa barrier inspector Row Thompson said there was some confusion about the responsibilities of pool owners.

She said barrier compliance certificates for pools or spas installed before 1994 were due on June 1, 2022.

“The state regulation means pools and spas need to have their barriers checked every four years,” Ms Thompson said.

“Lots of things can happen in four years — trees grow or people do some DIY stuff that might not be quite right and it can impact the safety of the barrier.”

After inspecting pool and spa barriers for the past 12 months, Ms Thompson said the most common issue was with gates.

“Gates need to open away from the pool area, the latch needs to be 1.5m from the ground and the biggest one we see is the hinges; they need to be 900mm apart.”

Inspections of pool or spa barriers could only be done by a registered building surveyor or inspector or a municipal building surveyor.

If compliance certificates were not submitted by the relevant due date, on-the-spot fines of $330 or a penalty of up to $1652 could apply.

Information and checklists specific to when the pool or spa was built is available on the Victorian Building Authority website at vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/swimming-pools/inspections-and-compliance