Swimming Pool & Spa Barriers

Maintaining your Safety Barrier

As an owner of a swimming pool or spa, you are required under the building regulations for ensuring any fence or barrier restricting access to a swimming pool or spa is maintained and operating effectively.  A maintenance checklist (also available as a Mobile app) is available from Royal Life Saving Australia.  Non-compliance, for any reason, can increase the risk of drowning and lead to prosecution.  

Barrier Compliance

Owners are now required to obtain and lodge a compliance certificate for the safety of their pool or spa barrier every four years. To do this, you’ll need to engage a building surveyor or building inspector who can carry out an inspection and provide the certificate confirming your barrier complies with safety requirements.

Lodge Compliance Certificate

If available
Enter number if known
Method of Payment * (required)

Anything else we should know?

Colac Otway Shire is committed to protecting your privacy. The personal information requested on this form is being collected by Colac Otway Shire for the purpose of updating it's swimming pool/spa register, or and other related purpose. The personal information will also be disclosed to the central Name and Address Register for the purpose of updating your information as required. It will not be disclosed to any other external party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law. If the personal information is not collected, Council cannot accept your registration and possibly resulting in fines if a pool or spa remains unregistered. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to Colac Otway Shire, please contact Council via telephone on 5232 9400 or email inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au. Council’s Privacy Policy is available from our website: colacotway.vic.gov.au/Council-the-shire/Council-policies and all Council Customer Service Centres.

Common reasons for barriers failing to comply include:

  • lack of maintenance, e.g. gate hinges and latches wearing out

  • alterations and additions to adjacent buildings or boundary fences that compromise the effectiveness of the barrier

  • placing climbable objects such as BBQs or pot plants next to a barrier

  • allowing climbable vegetation to grow immediately next to a barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I have to lodge my certificate of compliance?

When you register your pool, Council will acknowledge the registration and notify you when this certificate is due. 

Can the Council conduct these compliance inspections?

Currently the Council is not offering this service, however we do have a list of swimming pool inspectors on our website. This list is not exhaustive.

How often do I need to supply a certificate of compliance?

Every four years, on the anniversary of the original due date.

 

Fees

Type of fee or penalty Amount
(2023-2024)
Compliance certificate lodgement fee $21.90
Non-compliance certificate lodgement fee $413.40

 

Find out more about pool and spa barrier safety here.