Question 1

What are the steps for property owners to achieve pool or spa barrier safety compliance?

Accepted Answer

To achieve pool or spa barrier safety compliance, follow these steps: 1. Register your pool or spa with your local council. Each council in Victoria offers online registration services. After registration, your local council will send you an email or letter confirming the registration, construction date, and applicable Australian Standard®. 2. Book Mr. Pool Safe Inspector for a comprehensive onsite review of your pool or spa safety barrier and obtain your Certificate of Barrier Compliance. Ensure you provide us with the email or letter from your local council confirming your pool or spa registration before the inspection day. 3. Submit your Certificate of Barrier Compliance from Mr. Pool Safe Inspector to your local council within 30 days of issuance.

Question 2

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Mr. Pool Safe Inspector is Melbourne's leading pool and spa safety professionals for safety barrier inspections.  We are qualified to carry out inspections across Victoria for all existing and new pool and spa fencing associated with:
Residential home owners
Body Corporates
Real Estate Agents
Motels
Caravan Parks
Schools

Question 3

When does my pool or spa have to be registered by?

Accepted Answer

Property owners with pools or spas constructed prior to 1 November 2020 are required under Victorian law to have their pool or spa registered with their local council by 1 November 2020.  There is a fine of up to $1,652.20 for failure to register your pool or spa. 
It's important to register your pool or spa as soon as possible in order to understand the date of construction which will determine how long you have until you must lodge a Certificate of Barrier Compliance.  
If you have a pool or spa constructed after 1 November 2020, the process is slightly different, as you need to register within 30 days of receiving your occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection.  As part of your registration you must include a Certificate of Barrier Compliance.

Question 4

Do I need to do this more than once?

Accepted Answer

You need only register your pool or spa with your local council once, however you will need to arrange for an inspection to obtain a new Certificate of Barrier Compliance every 4 years.

Question 5

When is the deadline to lodge my Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance?

Accepted Answer

There are 3 different deadlines in which you must lodge a Certificate of Barrier Compliance with your local council, as determined by the Victorian Building Authority.  The deadlines differ based upon the date range in which your pool or spa was constructed, as specified by your local council following registration.

Construction Date Range					Lodgement Deadline
On or before 30 June 1994					1 June 2026
From 1 July 1994 until 30 April 2010				1 June 2027
From 1 May 2010 until 31 October 2020			1 June 2028

Please keep in mind that you can only obtain a Certificate of Barrier Compliance after your property has been inspected by an accredited Building Inspector or Building Surveyor like Mr. Pool Safe Inspector.  In some instances, your safety barrier may require repairs and a subsequent inspection prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Barrier Compliance.  
It is therefore important that you allow sufficient time prior to the lodgement deadline to obtain your Certificate of Barrier Compliance.  There is a fine of up to $1,652.20 for failure to lodge a Certificate of Barrier Compliance within the set timeframes.

Question 6

What happens if my pool or spa safety barrier isn’t compliant?

Accepted Answer

If we identify any issues during our review of your pool or spa safety barrier, we will clearly articulate these on the day of inspection together with practical cost effective solutions. In some cases, we may be able to fix minor issues on the day of inspection.
We’re here to help you meet your obligations and will do everything we can to ensure you obtain a Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance.  We're so confident we can help you can obtain your Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance we offer a money back guarantee so long as you make the necessary repairs within 67 days of your Initial Inspection.  Under Victorian law, we are required to conduct a follow-up inspection 
Please note, in the circumstances where we identify non-compliant issues in a safety barrier during an certified inspection, under Victorian law we are required to conduct a follow-up inspection within 60 days of your initial inspection to verify that those repairs have been completed.  
Due to mandatory ethical requirements set out by the Victorian Building Authority we are unable to make the repairs for you, but we can help you find suitably qualified independent repairers from our extensive network of qualified trades.

Question 7

Can I check my pool or spa barrier myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we recommend you conduct regular informal checks of your pool or spa safety barrier.  The Victorian Building Authority has made available three simple checklists to help you understand the requirements to get your pool or spa safety barrier compliant.  You can access these checklists here at the Victorian Building Authority's website, you need to select the appropriate checklist based upon the date of construction or your pool or spa.  Your local council will provide this information to you once you have registered your pool or spa with them. 
Please note, inspections conducted by unlicensed individuals cannot be submitted to your local council in lieu of a Certificate of Barrier Compliance issued by an accredited Building Inspector or Building Surveyor like Mr. Pool Safe Inspector.

Question 8

Do you offer a Pre-Inspection Consultation service?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer a Pre-Inspection Consultation service. If you're buying a new property with a pool or spa and need independent advice, or if you think your pool or spa might not be compliant, our thorough pre-inspection advice can help you find practical, cost-effective solutions. This service helps you understand the requirements to become compliant before formal certification. Book a Pre-Inspection Consultation for $285 including GST.

Question 9

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We service all of metropolitan Melbourne, including the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Question 10

What services do you provide and how much do you charge?

Accepted Answer

We offer three types of services:
1. Initial Inspection - $275 inc GST
Comprehensive onsite pool or spa barrier inspection to Australian Standards®
Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance to satisfy local council requirements if your pool or spa meets the appropriate Australian Standard®
Inspections conducted by fully accredited and insured Building Inspectors
Detailed written report with photos included
Post inspection debrief with the property owner
Written recommendations on repair works (if needed)

2. Follow-up inspection - $195 inc GST
This is a follow-up visit by Mr. Pool Safe Inspector after you have made all the necessary improvements recommended at the initial inspection
Comprehensive onsite pool or spa barrier inspection to Australian Standards®
Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance to satisfy local council requirements if your pool or spa meets the appropriate Australian Standard®
Inspections conducted by fully accredited and insured Building Inspectors
Detailed written report with photos included
Post inspection debrief with the property owner
Written recommendations on any further repair works (if needed)

3. Pre-inspection Consultation - $285 inc GST
Pre-purchase inspections, new pool and spa constructions, known non-compliance issues with existing pools and spas
Comprehensive onsite pool or spa barrier informal inspection to Australian Standards®
Practical cost effective solutions to understand what is required to become compliant prior to a formal inspection
Detailed written report with photos included
Post pre-inspection debrief with the property owner

Question 11

When do you invoice, and what payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We don't take an upfront payment upon booking, so you won't be charged until we complete your inspection.  On the day of your inspection, we will send you an invoice by email which is due following the completion of the inspection. 
We accept payment by cash, EFT, VISA and Mastercard.

Question 12

How long does an inspection usually take and do I need to be present?

Accepted Answer

It usually takes around 1 hour to conduct an inspection. Whilst you are not required to be present during the inspection, it’s ideal if you are available to speak to once the inspection has been completed.

Question 13

What are my responsibilities if I rent a property with a pool or spa?

Accepted Answer

If you rent a property with a pool or spa, it's the property owner's responsibility to register the pool or spa with the local council and have it inspected to obtain a Certificate of Barrier Compliance every 4 years. Check with your property owner or property manager to ensure the pool or spa barrier at your residence is compliant.

Question 14

Should I register and inspect my pool and spa separately?

Accepted Answer

If your pool and spa are enclosed by the same barrier (accessible as one space), they can be registered with your local council and inspected as one. If they are enclosed separately, they must be registered and inspected independently.

Question 15

What does a pool inspector do ?

Accepted Answer

A pool or spa barrier is designed to restrict access to children and reduce the risk of drowning. The pool inspector’s role is to certify that the barrier inspected meets the applicable Australian Standard and any National Construction Code specifications assigned to the pool or spa.  As part of the assessment of pool or spa barrier, a pool inspector will review the suitability of the protective elements which form a pool or spa safety barrier, including but not limited to gates, doors, windows, fences, retaining walls, and balconies.

Question 16

How long does a pool inspection last ?

Accepted Answer

A pool inspection typically takes around 1 hour to complete at the property depending the complexity of the pool safety barrier.  This is followed-up by a detailed written report complete with photos, and in the event repairs are required, a written report on the issues identified and recommended solutions.

Question 17

How often does my pool or spa need a safety inspection in Victoria?

Accepted Answer

Pool and spa barriers in Victoria require inspection at prescribed intervals, generally every four years, or when required for sale, lease or council compliance.

Question 18

What is a pool compliance certificate?

Accepted Answer

A pool compliance certificate confirms your pool or spa barrier meets Victorian safety regulations and can be lodged with your local council.

Question 19

Who can issue a pool safety compliance certificate?

Accepted Answer

Only a qualified and registered pool safety inspector can carry out inspections and issue compliance certificates in Victoria.

Question 20

What happens if my pool barrier is not compliant?

Accepted Answer

If your barrier does not meet requirements, we provide a clear report outlining what must be rectified before a compliance certificate can be issued.

Question 21

Do spa pools require safety barriers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spa pools capable of holding more than 300mm of water must comply with the same safety barrier requirements as swimming pools.

Question 22

What do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

All property owners with a pool or a spa have new obligations from 1 December 2019 under Victorian law to register their pool or spa with their local council, and then obtain a Certification of Barrier Compliance by having their safety barrier certified as meeting the Australian Standards® once every four years from an accredited Building Inspector or Building Surveyor like Dr. PoolSafe.  These new pool fence regulations are designed to prevent the accidental drownings of young children under the age of 5.

Mr. Pool Safe Inspector

0418 995 715

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