Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in 2012, the NSW Government raised the Swimming Pool Amendment Act, introducing the NSW Swimming Pool Register, making it compulsory to register a swimming pool or spa pool from November 2013 onwards. The legislation is on the NSW Swimming Pool Register website. 

https://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/information

Yes, North Shore Pool Inspections inspectors are E1 certified and hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance and proudly hold a claim-free record.

You can conduct a property search through the NSW Swimming Pool Register website:

http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/pooldb/pgLookupPool 

To register your swimming pool, by logging onto the NSW Swimming Pool Register website:

https://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/pooldb/pgOwnerLanding

A swimming pool is any excavation, structure or vessel filled with water to a depth greater than 30cm and has been created, manufactured or adapted for swimming, wading or other human aquatic activity. It includes a spa pool but does not include anything within a bathroom, like a spa bath or bathtub.

Yes. Please access the register provided - https://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/inspection/ListofSuperUsersandPrivateCertifiers.pdf/view

Non-Shared and Shared Pools - 3 Years

Yes. Refer to the Pool Inspection Self-Assessment Checklists, and download the checklist applicable to your pool which will assist in identifying areas of non-compliance. 

Checklists

Before the inspection, you will be able to refer to the checklist and fix any non-compliant issues giving you a higher chance of passing the initial pool inspection - saving time and money. 

Yes, a CPR sign is required near the swimming pool as pool safety legislation instructs. The sign must be the current Australian stipulated CPR sign (by the Australian Resuscitation Council).

It depends on factors like the pool size; generally, this will take 30 - 60 minutes as a guide. The pool safety inspector will take as much time as necessary to ensure that your pool enclosure complies and allows time to discuss with you any non-compliant issues offering solutions on how to rectify them.

We prefer someone to be at the property during the inspection but understand that this is not always possible. However, if no one is home and provided safe access, we can inspect the pool enclosure to expedite the Certification process.

If your pool complies with pool safety legislation, you will be issued a Certificate of Compliance.

If your pool does not comply, a notice is issued reporting details of all non-compliant issues that need rectification within six weeks.

A Certificate of Non-Compliance, if required, can be provided to you.

The pool safety inspector will issue a pool safety certificate promptly to you and update the details on the NSW Swimming Pool Register. The certificate is valid for three (3) years from the date of issue.

If your pool enclosure does not pass the inspection, a Non-Compliance Notice is issued, and a thorough report, including photographs outlining the areas of concern, is provided. 

As the Pool Owner, you have six (6) weeks plus five (5) business days to make the swimming pool barrier compliant. 

A reinspection must occur within six (6) weeks of the first inspection.

If the pool remains non-compliant after this time, the pool safety inspector is legally bound to notify the Local Council. The Council will usually visit your property within 72 hours. In addition, the Council may inspect the entire property, not just the pool.

At the owner's request, for properties that are for sale, a non-Compliance Certificate can be attached to the contract of sale; this then passes the responsibility to the purchaser to rectify safety issues to achieve compliance.

A purchaser will have 90 days from settlement to obtain a Certificate of Compliance.

Yes, you do need to have the pool reinspected if you change your pool barrier. The current certificate is for the inspected pool barrier, and if you change your pool fence, a reinspection of your swimming pool enclosure is required to ensure it is compliant with a new pool safety certificate.

No. Installing locks does not comply with pool safety legislation. As a result, locks can be easily left unlocked and do not permanently restrict access to the pool area.

No. Whilst you can approach your neighbour for assistance in making the pool barrier compliant, you are the pool owner, and it is your responsibility to make the required changes on your side of the dividing fence. 

No. You are responsible for ensuring that your swimming pool barrier complies and taking corrective actions on your side of the boundary, even if the resolution is easier on the neighbour's side and if your neighbour is not inclined to assist in getting your pool compliant. 

The objective is to save lives, and whilst you cannot control what happens on your neighbour's side of the fence, you can control what happens on your side, so do what you need to do to secure your pool.

Yes, however, you must obtain a Certificate of Non-Compliance.

Properties to be sold with a pool must have:

• A certificate of compliance; or
• A relevant occupation certificate and a certificate of registration; or
• A certificate of non-compliance

No, if the property doesn't hold a Certificate of Compliance, it must have a Certificate of Non-Compliance.

Yes, the NSW Legislation states that you must maintain your pool. As the Pool Owner, you are responsible for maintaining the safety of the pool barrier. Pool parts are widely available from various hardware stores, such as hinges, posts and latches.

North Shore Pool Inspections are licensed to carry out minor repairs. We can also provide options and solutions should you require pool fencing builders and handyman services.

Properties must have a Certificate of Compliance to be leased. This means that pool owners must act now to ensure swimming pool barrier compliance before lease of their property.

Councils may impose fines for owners not compliant with the swimming pool regulations. These fines can be up to $5,500.