Accredited pool fence inspectors backed by $10 million professional indemnity insurance. Certificates issued on the spot if your pool barrier complies.
Under the NSW Swimming Pools Act 1992 and Swimming Pools Regulation 2018, all swimming pool and spa owners must:
1. Register their pool on the NSW Swimming Pool Register (swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au)
2. Maintain a child-resistant barrier that complies with Australian Standard AS 1926.1-2012 (including NSW-specific variations)
3. Obtain a valid Pool Safety Certificate before selling or leasing a property with a pool
Pools constructed before 1 July 2010 must be inspected every three years. Properties built after this date require inspection when sold or leased. These requirements apply to all pools and spas that can hold more than 30cm of water — including portable and above-ground pools.
Minimum fence height: 1.2 metres from finished ground level
Boundary fences: Minimum 1.8 metres if forming part of the pool barrier
Gap at bottom: Maximum 100mm from ground level
Non-climbable zone: 900mm clear zone — no trees, furniture, pot plants, or climbable objects within 900mm of the barrier
Gate: Must be self-closing and self-latching, opening outward from the pool area
Applicable standard: AS 1926.1-2012 for pools built after 1 May 2013. Earlier pools assessed against AS 1926.1-2007 or AS 1926-1986 depending on construction date.
Maximum fine: $5,500 (50 penalty units) for a non-compliant pool barrier
On-the-spot fines: From $550
Councils now have enhanced powers to issue penalty notices and require immediate rectification of safety breaches. Non-compliance also means you cannot legally sell or lease your property.
Our accredited inspector attends your property (typically 30–60 minutes on site).
We assess every element of your pool barrier — fence height, gaps, gate operation, non-climbable zone, and compliance with the applicable Australian Standard.
We issue a Pool Safety Certificate on the spot. This certificate is lodged on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.
We issue a detailed Notice of Non-Conformity outlining exactly what needs to be fixed, with clear instructions you can hand directly to your fencer.
Our guarantee: All ECBC pool safety inspectors are protected by $10 million of professional indemnity insurance — significantly more than the $1M minimum some inspectors carry. Before you choose any pool inspector, ask them about their PI cover.
Talk to our team of A3 accredited certifiers about your building certification, inspection, or dilapidation report needs.
Byron Bay Office: 37/5 Easy Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Lismore Office: 5/70 Woodlark Street, Lismore NSW 2480
Phone: (02) 6680 8705
Yes. Under the Swimming Pools Act 1992, you must have a valid Pool Safety Certificate before selling or leasing any property with a swimming pool or spa in NSW. This includes portable pools that can hold more than 30cm of water.
Pools built before 1 July 2010 must be inspected every three years. Pools built after that date need inspection at the point of sale or lease. Tourist, visitor, and multi-occupancy developments have mandatory council inspection programs.
The minimum height is 1.2 metres from the finished ground level to the top of the barrier. If a boundary fence forms part of the pool barrier, the minimum is 1.8 metres. The fence must not have a gap greater than 100mm at the bottom.
A 900mm non-climbable zone (NCZ) must be maintained around the outside of the pool barrier. This means no trees, shrubs, pot plants, furniture, BBQs, toys, or any climbable objects within 900mm of the fence.
We issue a detailed Notice of Non-Conformity listing every item that doesn’t comply, with clear instructions on what needs to be fixed. You can hand this directly to your fencer. Once the repairs are done, we return for a re-inspection. Once it passes, we issue the Pool Safety Certificate.
The maximum penalty is $5,500 (50 penalty units). Councils can issue on-the-spot fines starting from $550. Beyond the financial penalty, you cannot legally sell or lease your property without a valid Pool Safety Certificate.
