Effective on the 1st December 2019 the Victorian Government has introduced a mandatory inspection regime for all residential properties with pools or spas. A pool or spa is defined under the regulations as a body of water used for wading with a depth greater than 300mm. Ponds, dams or lakes do not need to be fenced.
Legislation requires you to register your pool or spa with Council prior to 1st November 2020. Contact your Council to obtain registration form and pay fees. Council fee will vary depending on the amount of research they need to do.
After registration Council will formally advise you of your registration and detail by when you need to have submitted your Certificate of Compliance and by what standard of construction you need to comply with. There are in essence seven different standards that you need to comply with.
For pools or spas constructed or installed prior to 8th April 1991 you will be given a date between 1 June 2020 to 1st November 2021 to have your pool or spa certified. For pools built between 9th April 1991 and 30th April 2010 you will be given a date between 1 June 2021 to 1st November 2022 to have your pool or spa certified. For pools or spas built after 1st May 2010 you will be given a date between 1 June 2022 to 1st November 2023 to have your pool or spa certified.
We do need to be mindful that after the inspection, the regulations only give you 20 days to complete any rectification works after which you could be fined $385.00 for not completing the works. Refer to our services page on how to give yourself more time to get it right.
Guidelines on complying with each standard can be found in the attached links
If you are having any work on an existing safety barrier, a permit may need to be issued to alter the barrier. Work to alter an existing barrier will need to comply with the current Regulations.
