Swimming Pools and Spas

All swimming pools and spas in private residences, hotels and motels in Victoria must have safety barriers.

This applies to any pool or spa capable of holding a depth of more than 300mm of water. Any excavation or structure capable of holding water deeper than 300mm and used for activities such as swimming, paddling or the like, is defined as a swimming pool.

A dam or tank on a rural property, streams, rivers and ornamental ponds or fountains are not defined as swimming pools or spas.

Young children near any of the above require adult supervision at all times.

Council building inspectors carry out random inspections to ensure that swimming pools are provided with barriers to resist a young child's unsupervised access. A barrier can be a fence, wall, gate, screen, and locks, latches or other devices to doors, gates and windows. The Municipal Building Surveyor has authority under legislation and by delegation of Council to act against people who fail to comply with the regulation's. Penalties may apply.

A building and planning permit may also be required when installing swimming pools and pool fences.

For more information on swimming pools and spas visit The Building Commission Website.

Baw Baw Shire Council provides the attached document as a courtesy on behalf of The Building Commission and Royal Life Saving Society of Viictoria. Council can provide access to hard copies of this document. Please call the Building Department on 5624 2557 to arrange a time to view the document at a Council office or to have the document sent to you.