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The Victorian Government has laws for pools and spas to prevent children from drowning.
By law, if you own a property in Boroondara with a pool or spa, you must:
- Register your pool or spa with us.
- Wait for your registration letter, which will contain further instructions.
- Get your safety barrier inspected and certified every 4 years by a registered building surveyor or inspector.
- Lodge a Certificate of barrier compliance with us to show that your barrier has been inspected and that it meets legal requirements.
Step 1: Register your pool or spa
If you own a home in Boroondara with a pool or spa, you must fill out an online registration form and pay a fee by the due date. You may be fined if you don't.
The due date is based on whether the pool or spa is permanent.
- Permanent pool or spa: Register within 30 days after the date of issue of an occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection.
- Relocatable pool or spa: Register within 4 days after the pool is erected.
Step 2: Wait for your registration letter
We will review your submission and email you a letter confirming registration.
The letter will include details about:
- the date your pool or spa was built
- the barrier standards that apply to your pool or spa barrier
- the date you need to lodge a Certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance (Form 23)
Step 3: Book an inspection of your safety barrier
By law, you must get your safety barrier inspected and certified every 4 years by a registered building surveyor or inspector.
If the inspector determines that your barrier complies, they will issue a Certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance. You must lodge your certificate before the due date (see Step 4).
We recommend booking an inspection around 90 days before the certificate is due to be lodged. This should give you enough time to book an inspection, repair the barrier (if needed) and lodge the compliance certificate.
Find out how to book an inspection on our Pool and spa safety barriers page.
Step 4: Lodge your compliance certificate by the due date
By law, you must lodge a Certificate of barrier compliance with us to show that your barrier has been inspected and that it meets legal requirements.
If the inspector determines that your barrier complies, they’ll issue a Certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance (also known as Form 23).
- You must lodge your certificate before the due date and within 30 days of it being issued.
- If your certificate is part of a Building Permit for an existing barrier, lodge it within 14 days of receiving it.
Find out how to lodge the certificate on our Pool and spa safety barriers page.
Fees
The Victorian Government sets the fees for registering a pool or spa and for lodging a Certificate of barrier compliance with us.
These fees don’t include the cost for inspections. The cost will change based on who you use for this service.
| Type of fee or penalty | Amount |
| Register a pool/spa completed before 1 November 2020 | $89.70 |
| Register a relocatable pool/spa | $59.30 |
| Failure to register pool/spa by due date | up to $2035 |
Lodge a Certificate of safety barrier compliance (Form 23) for:
| $23.20 |
| Register for and lodge Certificate of safety barrier compliance for pool/spa completed after 1 November 2020 | $59.30 |
| Fee to find the date of building the pool/spa to find the barrier standard that applies. This is only for pools or spas completed before 1 November 2020. | $53.60 |
| Lodge a Certificate of non-compliance. You don’t pay for this, but we’ll send the property owner an invoice. They must pay the fee by the due date or they may be fined. | $437.10 |
Remove or close a pool or spa
Taking out or closing a pool or spa must be carried out to the satisfaction of our building surveyor.
You must tell us if you want to take out or close a swimming pool or spa. Then, follow the steps in our 'Remove or decommission a pool or spa' document (under 'Download', below).
We’ll inspect the pool and spa and update our register.
Some pools and spas require a Building Permit for their removal. Contact our Building Services team on (03) 9278 4999 to find out if you need this.
More information
- For guidance on swimming pools, spas and safety barrier requirements, visit the Victorian Building Authority website.
- For information on pools, spas and safety barriers in Boroondara, call our Building Services team on (03) 9278 4999.