Victoria Pool Safety Certificate 101 | Pool Safety Check

What is Victoria Pool Safety Certificate?

Having a swimming pool at home is a great way to beat the heat during the summer months and have the perfect avenue for summer get-togethers. However, as the property owner, you have to make sure that you are taking the necessary steps to ensure your family and your guests' safety.

To help ensure this, Victoria has required all homeowners who operate a swimming pool to possess a valid Victoria Pool Safety Certificate (VPSC) starting last January 1, 2016.

Here's a rundown on what it is, how to get it, and how to be reconsidered if you fail the initial assessment.

Quick Background

According to the 2018/2019 Life Saving Victoria Drowning Report, out of the 101 non-fatal drowning incidents of that year 47% happened in pools, 22% in residential pools and 25% in public pools.

In an effort to lower these numbers and to ensure the safety of its residents, Victoria, Australia made it mandatory for owners of land with a swimming pool or spa to register their pool or spa with the relevant council starting December 1st, 2019.

Aside from registering their pools and spas, this change in law also requires owners to have their safety barriers inspected by an accredited company and to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance with their council.

How To Register Your Pool or Spa

If you own a spa or a swimming pool in your backyard, you are required to register your spa or pool with the relevant council by 1 November 2020.

To register your pool or spa, all you need to do is contact your local council or visit their website for the complete information and list of fees you need to pay. While this varies depending on which local government your property falls under, it usually costs $79.00.

On the website, you'll be required to complete a registration form and pay the fee. For pools and spas constructed or commenced before 1 November 2020, an additional information search fee will also be payable.

Deadlines For Registration

Here are a few important dates you have to consider when filing for registration:

• If your pool or spa construction was completed on or before 30 June 1994 the final date for lodging your registration is 1 June 2022.
• If your pool or spa construction started and was completed from 1 July 1994 to 30 April 2010, the final date for lodging your registration is 1 June 2023.
• Lastly, if your pool or spa construction started and was completed from 1 May 2010 to 31 October 2020, the final date for lodging your registration is 1 June 2024.

As for relocatable or portable pools, you are required to register four days after the pool is erected.

For pools and spas constructed on or after 1 November 2020, you are required to lodge your certificate of barrier compliance at the same time as your application for registration.

Book Your Safety Barrier Inspection

While waiting on your council's statement, you may start looking for accredited companies that provide safety barrier inspection services like Pool Safety Check.

An inspection of your pool or spa barrier can only be carried out by:

• a registered building surveyor
• a registered building inspector
• a municipal building surveyor

Providers are people or companies registered in the class of Building Inspector (Pool Safety). They are responsible for carrying out  for all the responsibilities of a swimming pool and spa inspector under the Building Act 1993 and Part 9A of the Building Regulations 2018.

Once you've booked your scheduled inspection, the inspectors will be conducting the inspection covering the following:

• Height of barrier
• Height of gaps
• Hinges, gates and latch mechanism
• Non-climbable zones
• Impact load and load rating
• Construction material and type
• Structures contained within the barrier
• Minimum height of windows from ground if a building forms part of the barrier

doors.

If the barrier passes the inspection, your provider will issue you the Certificate of Barrier Compliance and walk you through obligations regarding lodgement of the compliance certificate. You may use this certificate of compliance and lodge it with your local Council before the due date specified in the statement they provided. 

If the barrier doesn't pass the inspection, your provider will issue you the Certificate of Barrier Non-Compliance and walk you through the issues of your barrier and how you must fix it within 60 days.