Private swimming pools and spas

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Register your swimming pool or spa

All private swimming pool and spa owners must register their pool on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.

When registering your pool, you will need to provide:

  • address of the pool/spa
  • type of property such as a private residence, multi-occupancy (units etc), or tourist and visitor accommodation
  • if the property is on a waterfront
  • If the pool is located on private land greater than two hectares or less than 230 square metres
  • when the pool/spa was built 
  • if the pool barrier has been substantially modified or rebuilt and when that took place.

Register your pool

Failing to register your pool is an offence that may result in a penalty of $220.  

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Swimming pool and spa safety

Private swimming pool and spa safety is regulated by the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the Swimming Pools Regulation 2018. The legislation applies to all swimming pools and spas (both indoor and outdoor) on a property where there is a residential building, a movable dwelling (e.g. caravan), or tourist accommodation. 

Swimming pool inspection program

Council has adopted a Swimming Pool Inspection Program which aims to:  

  • Increase safety for very young children around backyard swimming pools, and  

  • Reduce associated drowning and near-drowning accidents

To assist swimming pool and spa owners, Council has the following documentation available for public inspection (at no cost) at the Council office during ordinary business hours:  

  • Australian Standard 1926   

Request a certificate of compliance or exemption

Certificate of compliance

Properties sold with a swimming pool must have a:

  • Occupation Certificate for the swimming pool (issued within the previous 3 years) or
  • Certificate of Compliance or
  • Certificate of Non-Compliance

Properties leased with a swimming pool must have a

  • Occupation Certificate for the swimming pool (issued within the previous 3 years) or
  • Certificate of Compliance

A search can be conducted on the NSW Government Swimming Pool Register to confirm if a certificate has recently been issued.

Apply for a certificate of compliance

A Certificate of Compliance can be obtained from Council or a private Registered Certifier. An application made to Council is expected to be actioned within 10 business days.

Only swimming pools that meet legislative requirements will be issued a Compliance Certificate.

Apply for a Certificate of Compliance from Council

Apply for an exemption  

Council may, upon application, exempt a swimming pool or spa from any of the requirements of Part 2 of the Swimming Pools Act 1992, if it is satisfied, in the circumstances of the case -  

  1. that it is impracticable or unreasonable (because of the physical nature of the premises, because of the design or construction of the swimming pool or because of special circumstances of a kind recognised by the Swimming Pools Regulation as justifying the granting of an exemption) for the swimming pool to comply with those requirements, or  

  1. that alternative provision, no less effective than those requirements, exists for restricting access to the swimming pool.  

An exemption may be granted unconditionally or subject to such conditions as Council considers appropriate to ensure that effective provision is made to restrict access to the swimming pool.

Apply for a swimming pool exemption from Council 

Report a breach of swimming pool regulations

Council will investigate complaints about breaches of swimming pool regulations.

Contact Council

For further information about the legislative requirements for swimming pools refer to the NSW Fair Trading.

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