NEW VICTORIA POOL AND SPA FENCE LAWS

As of 2025, Victoria’s pool and spa fence laws are firmly in place and for good reason. These safety measures have already made a significant impact, helping to reduce the number of avoidable accidents and fatalities related to non-compliant backyard pools and spas across the state. Introduced in December 2019 and rolled out over several years, this legislation aims to improve the safety of residential swimming areas and help prevent avoidable accidents and tragedies, particularly those involving children.

Why These Laws Are So Important

Since their introduction, these swimming pool laws and spa laws in Victoria have continued to evolve, with councils actively conducting audits and following up on overdue compliance certificates. The goal remains the same: protect lives, especially those of young children, by ensuring that barriers are in place, functional and meet modern safety standards. The regulations came about after multiple coronial inquests revealed that unmaintained and unsafe pool fences were a leading factor in child drownings across the state. In response, the Victorian Government, with support from industry bodies, created a robust framework to ensure every residential pool or spa is safe and legally compliant.

“As the peak body of the swimming pool and spa industry in Victoria, Master Pool Builders Association Australia (MPBAA) is delighted that these new safety measures will increase the enjoyment of pool and spa ownership for all Victorians,” said CEO Chris Samartzis at the time of the laws’ rollout.

What Qualifies as a Pool or Spa Under Victorian Law?

These spa and pool laws in Victoria apply to more than just in-ground pools. If you own a structure that holds 30cm (300mm) or more of water, it requires a compliant safety barrier to restrict access. This includes:

• In-ground and above-ground pools
• Inflatable or portable pools
• Permanent or portable spas and hot tubs

Ongoing Requirements for Pool and Spa Owners

If you own a pool or spa in Victoria in 2025, here’s what you need to know and do to ensure compliance with all current spa and swimming pool fencing laws in Victoria:

• All pools and spas must be registered with your local council (this was required by April 14, 2020).
• A Certificate of Barrier Compliance must be submitted every three years.
• Safety inspections must be conducted by a registered building surveyor or inspector.
• Any identified issues must be rectified within 20 days of the inspection report.

Failure to keep up with your compliance obligations could lead to fines, enforcement action from your local council, and most importantly, unnecessary safety risks.

Barrier Compliance Deadlines (Completed)

Although the initial compliance deadlines have passed since the most recent legislation was introduced, here’s a quick recap of when different pool types were originally required to be certified:

• Pools built before 1994: Certificate due by 30 October 2020
• Pools built between 1994–2010: Certificate due by 30 April 2021
• Pools built after 2010: Certificate due by 29 October 2021

If you haven’t submitted your certificate or your three-year renewal is now due, it’s time to act. Many councils now offer online portals for submitting documents and accessing your pool or spa registration details.

What to Expect During an Inspection

When you complete a pool, you’ll need a certified inspector to ensure your pool or spa is compliant. If your three-year compliance deadline is approaching or has passed, it’s time to book an inspection with a registered building surveyor or inspector to ensure it still passes the tests for compliance. They’ll check key safety features such as:

• Fence height (minimum 1.2 metres)
• Self-closing and self-latching gates
• No climbable objects near the barrier – this includes tree branches, pot plants, pool pumps or chairs
• No gaps greater than 100mm in the fencing
• Strength and rigidity requirements for timber fences
• Whether the walls of above-ground pools meet the height and non-climbable requirements

If your barrier fails to meet current standards, you’ll have 20 business days to complete repairs or upgrades to pass a follow-up inspection.

The Broader Impact: Safety and Peace of Mind

The ongoing implementation of these spa and pool fence laws in Victoria is proving to be more than just a tick-box exercise, it’s an integral part of creating safer communities.

“Backyard pool and spa owners can now relax and enjoy the fantastic lifestyle that comes with pool and spa ownership, knowing that their wonderful asset will now be safer than ever.” – Chris Samartzis, MPBAA CEO

Tellingly, in the years since these laws were introduced, early data suggests improved compliance and fewer backyard incidents—showing just how important these pool and spa fence laws in Victoria are when it comes to keeping loved ones safe.

How to Stay Compliant with Victoria’s Pool and Spa Fence Laws

If you’re a Victorian homeowner with a pool or spa, continued compliance with pool safety laws must remain a priority and be part of your routine property maintenance. Just like you’d service your HVAC system or check smoke alarms, keeping your pool or spa barrier up to code should be part of your annual checklist.

Key steps to stay compliant moving forward:

• Know your next certificate due date (usually 3 years from your last inspection)
• Keep the barrier free of climbable objects (tree branches, chairs, pots, ladders)
• Repair latches and hinges as needed
• Check with your local council for updates or reminders

Specialised pool safety experts can also carry out routine inspections and repairs for you as required.

Laguna – Prioritising Prestige & Safety

Whether you’ve owned your pool for decades or you’re currently having a new pool or spa constructed, now’s the time to ensure your barriers are up to standard. At Laguna, we’re committed to making safe swimming and responsible pool ownership the standard, not the exception. All of our new pool builds and pool renovations are designed and delivered in full compliance with the latest Victorian safety laws. From the planning stage to final handover, we ensure every pool includes a fully compliant, certified barrier and that you’re set up with the knowledge and support to maintain it. For further information regarding the most current or any new pool fence laws in Victoria, please contact Master Pool Builders Association Australia .