Swimming pool & spa barrier laws
A safety barrier restricts children's access to the area containing a pool or spa.
"Safety barrier" refers to a fence, wall, gate or screen, and includes doors, gates, windows, locks, latches, hinges and self-closing devices attached to them. Safety barriers are required for in-ground swimming pools, jacuzzis, indoor swimming pools, above-ground swimming pools, spas, bathing and wading pools and hot tubs.
What is the legally required?
Swimming pool and spa owners are required by law to meet government standards and regulations. Some of these laws include:
- All swimming pools and spas capable of containing a depth of water exceeding 300mm (30cm) must have suitable child resistant safety barriers
- Suitable child resistant safety barriers must be completed within six months of building work starting on swimming pools and spas
- Any swimming pool or spa fence, barrier, gate or door must be maintained in good working order
- All gates and doors providing access to a swimming pool or a spa must have self-closing and self-latching devises regardless of when they are built
- It is an offence to prop open any gate or door providing access to a swimming pool or spa.
What are safety barriers NOT required for?
- Structures not used principally for swimming, paddling or wading including bird baths, fish ponds, fountains, dams and water supply/storage tanks
- Swimming pools or spas not capable of containing a depth of water greater than 300 mm
- Inflatable swimming pools (typically toddler or wading pools) not capable of containing a depth of water greater than 300mm
- Spas inside a building that are used for personal hygiene such as a spa bath in a bathroom.
For further information see the Building Commission's brochure Swimming pool and spa safety barriers.
