Swimming Pools

Swimming Pool Registration

All backyard pools and spas in NSW must be registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.

Registering is simple and easy: all you’ll need to know is the address, the size of the property, the type of pool you own (e.g. in ground, spa pool), whether any work has been done to your pool barrier, and how old your pool is.

Register your pool 

Approval to install a swimming pool

To find out whether you need approval to install a pool go to the NSW Government Planning Portal, a free online system that allows people to determine whether proposed works fall under exempt or complying development or whether a DA is required.

Fences

Any swimming pool that has a depth of 300mm or more, irrespective of swimming pool wall height, must have a swimming pool fence.

As a pool owner, you are responsible for ensuring your pool is enclosed and access to it is restricted to children at all times.

You can view a pool barrier checklist here.  

Certificates of Compliance

Your swimming pool or spa must have a certificate of compliance prior to use. This certificate confirms that your pool meets pool safety legal requirements and approval consent of Council. A certificate of compliance is valid for three years from its date of issue.

To obtain a certificate of compliance please complete the Application for a Swimming Pool Certificate of Compliance form

Swimming Pool Inspection Program

Council is responsible for promoting swimming pool safety in our local community which is done through Council’s Swimming Pool Inspection Program.

We are required to:

  • develop and implement a swimming pool barrier inspection program in consultation with our communities
  • inspect pools associated with moveable dwellings, tourist and visitor accommodation at three-year intervals
  • at the request of a pool owner, inspect a swimming pool or spa pool prior to the sale or lease of the property
  • issue either a certificate of compliance or non-compliance after an inspection
  • investigate complaints about breaches of the Swimming Pools Act 1992
  • where necessary, direct pool owners to take action to ensure that legislated pool barrier requirements are compliant
  • make available a relevant extract of the Building Code of Australia, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Guideline and applicable Australian Standards at our offices
  • report annually on the number of pool inspections undertaken and the level of compliance with the requirements.

 

Self-Assessment Inspections of Swimming Pool Barriers

Council recommends that pool owners and occupiers do a self-assessment check of their swimming pool at least once a year. The best way to undertake this self-assessment inspection is by downloading a checklist from the NSW Swimming Pools Register.

If the swimming pool has been registered, you can download a checklist relevant to that specific pools age.

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