General information only. Fees and some details vary by council and change over time. Always confirm the current requirements and fee schedule with your local council and the VBA.
What the rules require
Register with your council
Every pool or spa that can hold more than 30cm of water must be registered with your local council. That includes permanent, indoor and above-ground pools, and relocatable pools or spas set up for three or more consecutive days.
A one-off registration fee
Registration is a one-off process with a fee set by your council. Pools built before 1 November 2020 also pay an information search fee so the council can confirm the construction date and which barrier standard applies.
Barrier inspection every four years
Once registered, your safety barrier must be inspected by a registered building surveyor or inspector every four years to confirm it still complies.
Lodge your Form 23 within 30 days
If your barrier passes, the inspector issues a Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance (Form 23). You must lodge it with your council within 30 days of the issue date. A state-government lodgement fee applies.
Form 24 if it fails
If the barrier does not comply, you are usually given up to 60 days to fix the issues. If it stays non-compliant, a Certificate of Barrier Non-Compliance (Form 24) is issued and lodged, and the council can take enforcement action.
Real penalties apply
Failing to register, or not maintaining a compliant barrier, can mean on-the-spot fines and significant penalties. Beyond the fine, a compliant barrier is what keeps children safe.
What to do, step by step
1. Register the pool or spa
If you have not already, register your pool or spa with your council. New owners should check the register even on an existing pool, since the obligation sits with the current owner.
2. Confirm which barrier standard applies
The applicable barrier standard depends on when the pool was built. For older pools the council information search establishes the date and the standard you must meet.
3. Book a registered inspector
Arrange a registered building surveyor or inspector to inspect your barrier. They check gate self-closing and latching, non-climbable zones, fence height and gaps.
4. Rectify any issues in time
If anything fails, you generally have up to 60 days to fix it. Common fixes are gate springs and latches, removing climbable objects near the fence, and closing gaps under the barrier.
5. Lodge and diarise the next inspection
Lodge your Form 23 compliance certificate with the council within 30 days, then diarise the next inspection in four years so you never fall out of compliance.
Official sources
Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
Pool and spa registration and barrier-inspection requirements statewide.
Your local council
Registration, fees, lodging Form 23 or Form 24, and local enforcement. Fees vary by council.
Pool and spa questions
Yes. Any swimming pool or spa that can hold more than 30cm of water must be registered with your local council. That includes permanent, indoor, above-ground and relocatable pools or spas set up for three or more consecutive days. The obligation is on the pool owner.
Related: find a pool builder in Melbourne, plan your outdoor living space, and explore building across Melbourne.
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