These new laws have been introduced to keep young children safe. Since 2000, 27 young children have drowned in private swimming pools and spas. In at least 20 of those cases, the non-compliance of the safety barrier was a contributing factor.
As part of the changes, owners are required to register their pool and spa with their local council and have their safety barrier inspected once every four years.
Relocatable pools that do not consist of multiple components and do not require any assembly are not subject to the barrier requirements. An example of such a product is a small inflatable pool that requires no assembly other than inflation.
Under the new regulations, pool and spa owners are required to register pools or spas with their local council by 1 November 2020 (the State Government has extended the deadline from 1 June). Owners will also be required to lodge a compliance certificate for their pool or spa barrier every four years.
Please phone Ararat Rural City Council on 5355 0220 if you have any questions or visit the Victorian Building Association's website for more information.
Register your pool
Follow this link to register your pool
Cost of Registration
• $32.90 for registration of all pools and spas;
• $48.80 search fee for permanent pools and spas constructed before 1 June 2020;
• $21.10 for lodgement of certificate of pool barrier compliance; and
• $397.50 for lodgement of certificate of pool barrier non-compliance