VENDOR - Swimming Pool Inspections & Reports

If you own a pool or spa in NSW, compliance is required by law. Any swimming pool or pool spa that can hold more than 300mm of water must be registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register and meet the pool safety standards set out in the Swimming Pools Act 1992, the Swimming Pools Regulation 2018, and relevant building standards.

Selling a property with a pool

Your contract of sale must include a registration certificate and one of the following three documents:

• A valid pool safety certificate (Certificate of Compliance) issued within the last 3 years
• A Certificate of Non-Compliance (with the buyer taking on rectification within 90 days of settlement)
• A relevant occupation certificate issued within the last 3 years for the swimming pool

Miss this, and the buyer can rescind the contract within 14 days of exchange. That’s a serious risk to your sale.

Leasing a property with a pool

Landlords are required to provide a valid pool safety certificate before a new tenancy begins. Property managers also need proof the pool is registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.

Pool ownership full stop

Every pool owner in NSW has a legal responsibility to ensure their pool area is safe, compliant, and registered. Booking a pool inspection early gives you time to fix any issues before they interrupt a sale, lease, or settlement timeline.

• Vendors selling a property with a pool or spa: As the vendor, you need a valid pool safety certificate (or a Certificate of Non-Compliance) attached to your contract of sale. We work to your timeline and coordinate directly with your real estate agent so paperwork never holds up exchange.
• Buyers looking at a property with a pool: A pre-purchase pool inspection shows you exactly what you’re buying. If the property comes with a Certificate of Non-Compliance, NSW law gives you 90 days from settlement to bring the pool into compliance.
• Landlords and property managers: Before a new lease begins, you need a valid pool safety certificate and proof of registration. Our pool inspectors work with property managers across Sydney and the Central Coast to keep rentals compliant and protect everyone’s interests.
• Pool owners doing a voluntary pool safety check: Not selling or leasing? A proactive pool safety inspection is the smartest way to catch small issues before they become expensive. Gates sag, latches wear, and CPR signs fade. Booking a check when your certificate is near expiry keeps your pool area safe and your paperwork current.

Every swimming pool inspection we carry out is a full assessment against NSW pool safety regulations and Australian Standard AS1926.1:2012.

• Pool barrier and pool fence height, gaps, and structure: Fence height is a minimum 1200mm (pool side), boundary fences forming part of the barrier are at least 1800mm, and vertical gaps must be no more than 100mm apart.
• Gates, hinges, and self-closing latches: Every gate must self-close and self-latch from any position, with latches installed at the required height.
• Climbable objects in the non-climbable zone: Pot plants, BBQs, pool equipment, trees, or anything else within the 900mm non-climbable zone around the pool barrier.
• CPR signage: The current, legible CPR sign must be clearly visible in the pool area.
• Access from the residential building. Any doors or windows that form part of the pool barrier must meet the compliance requirements of the Swimming Pools Act.
• Pool spa barriers and surrounds: Pool spa barriers are inspected to the same standard as swimming pool barriers, with the same gate, fence, and clearance checks.
• Registration status: We confirm your pool is registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register and help you apply if it’s not.

After your inspection, we issue either a Certificate of Compliance (valid for 3 years) or a Certificate of Non-Compliance with a photo-backed list of what needs to change.

If your pool doesn’t meet the required safety standards, you’ll receive a Certificate of Non-Compliance listing every issue, with photos and clear explanations.

In NSW, vendors can still attach a Certificate of Non-Compliance to the contract of sale. The buyer then has 90 days from settlement to bring the pool into compliance. However, most vendors prefer to rectify the issues and secure a clean Certificate of Compliance before exchange. 

Our team will explain exactly what’s required, provide practical recommendations, and connect you with licensed builders and pool fence repairers to carry out the work. Once repairs are complete, we can return for a reinspection.

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Most pool failures come down to a few common compliance issues. These include faulty gate latches or hinges, climbable objects within 900mm of the fence, fence height or gap non-compliance, missing or outdated CPR signage, boundary fence issues, and doors or windows that open directly into the pool area without proper safety controls. These are all preventable issues that can usually be fixed before inspection.

The best way to avoid delays or reinspection costs is to do a quick pre-check before your inspection. Make sure gates self-close and self-latch, remove any climbable objects near the fence, check fence height and gaps, ensure CPR signage is visible and current, and confirm there are no access points from the home that bypass safety barriers. If you’re unsure, a pre-inspection walkthrough can help identify any problem areas early.

A Certificate of Compliance is valid for 3 years from the date of issue, as long as no changes are made to the pool barrier. A Certificate of Non-Compliance is generally valid for up to 12 months, allowing time for required rectifications.

Yes. If your property has a swimming pool or spa capable of holding more than 300mm of water, you must include pool compliance documentation in your contract of sale. This will be either a Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Non-Compliance, or a valid occupation certificate issued within the last 3 years.

Costs vary depending on the property type, pool structure, and location. We provide fast, obligation-free quotes so you know exactly what’s included before booking your inspection.

Only local councils and registered pool safety inspectors (E1 accredited certifiers) are authorised to issue Certificates of Compliance. Our inspectors are fully licensed and accredited, and all certificates are lodged on the NSW Swimming Pool Register for full compliance.

Your pool must be registered before a compliance inspection can be completed and lodged. Registration is free and can be done online in a few minutes. If needed, we can assist you with the registration process when you book your inspection.

Yes, you can still proceed with the sale. A Certificate of Non-Compliance can be attached to the contract, and the buyer typically becomes responsible for rectifying the issues within 90 days of settlement. However, many sellers choose to fix issues beforehand to improve buyer confidence and streamline the sale.