Swimming Pool and Spa Compliance

Step 1.Step 1: Registration has been completed

Registrations for existing swimming pools or spas was a once off registration and was required to be completed by 1 November 2020.

If you are unsure if your swimming pool or spa is already registered (including by a previous owner), please contact Council’s Building Unit on  9518 3555.

For all NEW swimming pools or spas, please register online

Step 2.STEP 2: Correspondence from Council received

Council provided this correspondence at the time of registration, confirming:

• your pool or spa has been registered
• the date of construction and the applicable barrier standard
• your right to appeal to the Building Appeals Board (BAB) in relation to council’s determination of the date of construction of the pool or spa
• the date the first or next Certificate of Barrier Compliance must be lodged with Council

The owner of the property can request a copy by contacting Council via mail@monash.vic.gov.au or on 03 9518 3555.

Step 3.STEP 3: Self-assess using VBA checklists

Council encourages you to use the below checklists to self-assess and maintain the barrier and safety of your swimming pool and spa. Council will notify you which barrier rules apply in Step 2 so you will know which checklist applies to your swimming pool/spa.

VBA self-assessment checklists:

For pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991 – Checklist 1(PDF, 674KB)

For pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991 and 30 April 2010 – Checklist 2(PDF, 595KB)

For pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010 – Checklist 3(PDF, 938KB)

Step 4.STEP 4: Engage Council or a Registered Building Practitioner to inspect and provide Compliance Certificate

Council will provide the service of an inspection and issuing of a Certificate of Barrier Compliance. This service will cost $435.50 which will include up to 2 inspections and the lodgment of the Certificate of Barrier Compliance. Further costs may apply if more than 2 inspections are required.

Alternatively, you can search for a registered building practitioner authorised to carry out inspections and certification on the Victorian Building Authority website.

Register online to engage Council to provide this service:

Swimming Pool/Spa - Book Inspection

You can have a printable application form sent out to you by contacting Council’s Customer Service team on the number above.

Please note that you cannot book an inspection for the next day (allow a minimum of 5 business working days).

Step 5.STEP 5: Lodge Certificate of Barrier Compliance

If you have engaged Council to inspect and provide the compliance certificate, Council will lodge the Certificate of Barrier Compliance on your behalf.

If you have engaged a Private Building Surveyor to inspect and issue a Certificate of Barrier Compliance, you have 30 days from the date of issue to lodge this with Council. This will incur a fee of $22.10 to lodge the Certificate with Council.

Swimming Pool/Spa - Compliance Certificate

Lodge Certificate of Non-Compliance

If your swimming pool/spa inspection was found to be non-compliant and has not been brought into compliance within 60 days, your registered building practitioner (swimming pool/spa inspector) will be required to lodge the non-compliance certificate with Council.

Once a non-compliance certificate has been lodged, Council will issue a Barrier Improvement Notice (Form 25) accompanied with an invoice with the applicable fee to the owner.

Swimming Pool/Spa - Non-Compliance Lodgment

Step 6.STEP 6: Update certificate every 4 years

As part of the new regulations, you are required as a swimming pool/spa owner to obtain a Certificate of Barrier Compliance every 4 years and lodge it with Council.

It is your responsibility as an owner to ensure that your swimming pool/spa is maintained.

Council will write to you when the date is approaching to remind you to re-certify your swimming pool or spa barrier.