The Queensland Government introduced pool safety laws aimed at further reducing the incidences of drowning and serious immersion injuries of young children in swimming pools. All pools, including spas and some portable pools, must now comply with the pool safety standard. These laws affect new and existing pools.
The Queensland Government Pool Safety webpage outlines the requirements for pool fences and safety barriers.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission has put together some handy tips on how to make your pool safer. For further information on swimming pool safety and compliance, visit the Department of Energy and Public Works. Additionally, you can contact a Swimming Pool Safety Inspector.
It’s your responsibility to ensure that the pool (including the barriers for the pool) is properly maintained at all times to comply with the pool safety standard under The Building Act 1975.
Queensland pool safety laws apply to all pools and spas that:
- Hold more than 300mm of water; or
- Have a volume of more than 2000L; or
- Have a filtration system
It is recommended you engage a licensed pool safety inspector to inspect your pool and confirm it is compliant.
Before a newly constructed pool is filled with water the pool must be compliant with the pool safety standard, a building certifier is required to provide a certificate in the approved form stating the pool is a complying pool.
If you don’t want to comply with the standards, pool safety legislation provides an opportunity for the pool owner to decommission their swimming pool (including portable spa pools) as an alternative to complying with the pool safety standard.
Tenants also have responsibilities, including:
- keeping pool gates closed
- ensuring there are no objects that would allow children to access the pool unattended.
All pool owners must register their pool on the statewide pool register.
Pool Barriers
All swimming pools must be enclosed by an approved barrier. The barrier must meet state government pool safety legislation under chapter 8 of the Building Act 1975. A barrier can include:
- fencing for the pool
- walls of a building enclosing the pool
- another form of barrier mentioned or provided for in the pool safety standard.
Pool safety certificates
A pool safety certificate, issued by a licensed pool safety inspector, is required when
- leasing a property
- purchasing a property
- selling a property
Pool safety certificates are valid for one year for a shared pool and two years for a non-shared pool.
How to get a pool certificate
Only a pool safety inspector—licensed by the QBCC—can issue pool safety certificates.
You can find a licensed pool safety inspector. The register includes inspector contact details and the local government areas where they work.
The construction and maintenance of both swimming pools and pool fencing must comply with the Building Act 1975, Queensland Development Code Mandatory Part 3.4 (PDF) and relevant Australian Standards.
The Department of Energy and Public Works website outlines the requirements for pool fences and safety barriers.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission has put together some handy tips on how to make your pool safer (PDF, 293.6KB) For further information on swimming pool safety and compliance, visit the Department of Energy and Public Works. Additionally, you can contact a Pool Safety Inspector.
Pool and fence work around the pool is considered to be works subject to building approval. Approval can be sought by a private building certifier who can submit a Development Permit for Building Work.
Before a newly constructed pool is filled with water the pool must be compliant with the pool safety standard, a building certifier is required to provide a certificate in the approved form stating the pool is a complying pool.
The Department of Energy and Public Works website outlines the requirements for pool fences and safety barriers.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission has put together some handy tips on how to make your pool safer (PDF, 293.6KB) For further information on swimming pool safety and compliance, visit the Department of Energy and Public Works. Additionally, you can contact a Swimming Pool Safety Inspector.