Swimming Pool and Spa Registration

Step 1.Step 1: Register

Registration of a permanent swimming pool or spa will incur a once-off fee of $81.70 which includes the registration and search fee for pools and spas constructed before 1 November 2020. Your swimming pool or spa is registered until it is removed from the register.

A relocatable swimming pool or spa must be registered if it is erected for 3 or more consecutive days. Relocatable swimming pool or spas will incur a fee of $32.90. This fee will need to be paid every time the relocatable swimming pool or spa is erected.

If you have any copies of occupancy permits/certificates of final inspections or any other supportive documentation, please attach these to your application.

If the construction date of your swimming pool/spa cannot be verified, the current safety standard will be applied.

Register online:

Register Your Swimming Pool Or Spa

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

Step 2.STEP 2: Receive correspondence from Council

Receive correspondence from Council within 14 business days 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

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 $418.65which will include up to 2 inspections and the lodgement 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.

Read before registering: Process details and checklists for inspection

Please be advised that Council’s Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection service is currently booked out until 30 June 2023. You may wish to engage a VBA registered Swimming Pool Inspector. Please find a list of registered practitioners: https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/tools/find-practitioner

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 $21.10 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 Lodgement

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.