What do you need to know before your pool/spa is inspected?
An invoice will be issued to you for the inspection and a Compliance Certificate. Once payment is received and a satisfactory inspection has been undertaken you will be issued a Compliance Certificate, which is valid for three years.
If the pool does not comply, you will be provided with and inspection report and possibly a direction to complete the required works prior to a reinspection. Note a reinspection fee of $100 will apply other than for minor works verification.
If the inspection or reinspection reveals the swimming pool barrier does not comply with the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the Australian Standard applicable to the year your pool was constructed, you may be required to upgrade the entire pool safety barrier to the current Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012.
Prior to Council’s inspection, we strongly recommend that you undertake a preliminary self-check of your pool safety barrier and rectify any obvious problems to avoid the reinspection fee.
What do I do before my pool/spa is inspected?
- Ensure your pool or spa is registered with the NSW Government Swimming Pool Register at or request a registration form from Council’s Customer Service Team on T 02 6578 7290. Registration is mandatory, perpetual and separate from the 3-yearly compliance certificate requirement.
- Conduct a preliminary self-check of your pool or spa (see the below self-assessment checklists).
- Ensure access to your pool area is available or arrange an appropriate time with Council’s officer to conduct the inspection.
- Contact Council to advise if there are aggressive dogs at the premises.
What is pool/spa registration vs compliance certificate?
By law you are required to register your pool/spa. Registration is mandatory, and once done, it remains in place for the life of the pool/spa. You can check or register your pool/spa at or you can request Council to register it for you for a fee of $11.
A compliance certificate requires the pool/spa to be inspected and once gained, it lasts for 3 years. Owners are responsible for making sure they have a current compliance certificate.
An easy way to remember the difference is that a compliance certificate is like the pink slip for a vehicle but requires renewal only every 3 years to make sure the pool/spa barrier remains up to standard and safe.
Is this program voluntary?
No, it is mandatory within the Singleton Local Government Area and is subject to NSW law, which is enforceable by Council. We aim to work with you to achieve compliance voluntarily in the first instance without needing to resort to the available enforcement options.
Do I have to pay for the inspection?
Yes, an invoice will be mailed, and payment will be required following the inspection. This fee includes the cost of the Compliance Certificate for your swimming pool. A reinspection fee of $100 may apply for any further in-depth or repeat inspections where no progress towards compliance has been made.
Do I have to be home?
No, but we prefer that you are. If you cannot be at home, anything you can do to help facilitate the inspection, such as clearing entry paths and securing animals, is appreciated. You can contact Council to advise of any additional information that we should be aware of, such as access instructions or potential obstacles we might encounter.
Can I book a specific time on the day of the inspection?
Generally, no, because we are undertaking multiple inspections a day and it is very hard to predict how long each one will take. Should you have exceptional circumstances that you feel Council should consider, like a medical condition, a contractor travelling from out of the Hunter or you require an interpreter service, please contact Council. For general requests, Council can help by providing a time range such as morning, 7am – 12pm, or afternoon 1– 4pm.
Do I have to secure my animals?
It is preferred that you secure your animals to facilitate an easier inspection for us and for your animals. While all due care is taken, we would hate for your animals to escape. Securing them ensures they are kept safe.
How soon after receiving my initial letter will Council inspect my swimming pool?
Generally, we will wait at least a month after you have received your initial letter to carry out our inspection. This ensures you have enough time to undertake a self-assessment, and plan and complete any works that may be required for your swimming pool to pass inspection. You don’t need to have all works completed, and we prefer to be able to assist prior to you going to unnecessary expense – it’s all included in the initial fee. You can ask us to inspect your swimming pool sooner, if you are confident, it will pass inspection. In exceptional circumstances, such as if there is an urgent safety concern or a complaint received, an inspection may need to be undertaken within the month.
How will you advise me of what non-compliances are outstanding?
We will write you a letter listing the non-compliances.
Can a swim spa comply with just a lockable lid?
No, unlike spas, swim spas require an actual compliant barrier around them.
What happens if I do not make any contact with Council?
As outlined above, our Swimming Pool Barrier Compliance Officers are authorised to enter outdoor portions of your property without your consent to undertake an inspection.
Are Councils staff allowed to enter my property without my consent?
We will seek consent to enter your property in the first instance by way of Council’s introductory letter. Council’s Swimming Pool Barrier Compliance Officers are authorised under the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the Local Government Act 1993. They are authorised to enter the outdoor portions of your property in some cases; however, we will always attempt to seek your consent or otherwise contact you before we enter your property. This also applies when Council is investigating complaints from the community about swimming pool barriers, which is separate from the Swimming Pool Safety Inspection Program.
Can I be issued with a fine?
We may issue fines as a last resort for failing to comply with a direction or cautions. If you are issued with a fine and you believe it was incorrectly issued or extenuating circumstances apply, please visit revenue.nsw.gov.au for available options and more information.
Can I use a Private Certifier to get a Compliance Certificate?
Yes, however, please be aware that unless a Private Certifier has already issued a certificate, Council will follow up to ensure compliance, which may include undertaking inspections under the program.
What if I am selling my house?
If you are selling or leasing your house, NSW law requires you obtain a Compliance Certificate. You are encouraged to contact Council as soon as possible if you require a certificate for sale or leasing. This is separate to the Swimming Pool Safety Inspection Program.
What if the pool/spa has been removed from the premises?
If the pool/spa is no longer at the premises you will need to contact Council with photographic evidence that the pool/spa has been removed or filled in. Please note that a verification inspection may still need to be undertaken.
Do I have to upgrade my pool barrier to a newer standard?
The standard to which your pool barrier needs to comply depends, initially, on when your pool was installed.
If my pool is non-compliant?
If the pool is non-compliant, Council may give direction on how to make the pool compliant with a relevant time frame to complete works.
Is it okay to have plants in the pool area?
We do not recommend planting vegetation within the pool area. The vegetation requirements relating to swimming pool barriers can apply to any type of plant and will be determined by many factors including the density (including how close together they are planted), maturity, maintenance, health and location (there are different requirements that apply inside a boundary fence than inside or outside an internal barrier) of the vegetation.
Does my neighbour have to comply with the same rules?
Not necessarily. There may be differences in how compliance is achieved for two seemingly identical pools. These differences include when the pools were built, how the owner choses to install the barrier, the materials used, the location and design of nearby structures and the land on which the pools are situated.
How long will it take to receive my compliance certificate once it has passed?
Including delivery time via mail, it may take up to two weeks for you to receive your certificate. This needs to be paid for prior to the issue.