Pool Safety

Swimming Pools & Spas

Before purchasing a swimming pool or spa (including portable pools available at many shopping centres), please make sure you are aware of the pool fencing requirements and ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Can the pool be filled to a depth of greater than 30cm?
  2. Can the pool hold more than 2000 litres of water?
  3. Is there a filtration system?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, a development permit for building works for the construction of a swimming pool and fencing is required.  A Form 17 Final Inspection Certificate must be issued prior to filling the swimming pool.

More information about swimming pools and fencing can be found in our Swimming Pools and Fencing Factsheet.

Guideline for Pool Owners and Property Agents under the Building Act 1975

Lodging a Swimming Pool and Fencing Application

To lodge a development application for swimming pool and fencing, you may need to submit the following documentation depending upon the nature of the work;

  • A properly completed DA Form 2 – Building Work Details
  • A Site Plan showing the proposed structure in relation to all boundaries and any other structures that may be located on the lot.
  • Elevations Plan showing heights of fences and gate latches.
  • Construction Plans that have been stamped and signed by an engineer.
  • A Form 15 (Compliance Certificate for Building Design or Specification) which must be completed by a competent person in relation to the design of the proposed building work (It is usually completed by the Engineer).
  • Confirmation of QBCC Home Warranty Insurance Notice of Cover (if a builder is a registered builder and the project value is greater than $3,300)
  • Confirmation of QLeave Portable Long Service Levy (if project value is greater than $150,000)
  • Owner Builder Permit (if owner builder project is greater than $11,000)

A handy checklist outlining all that is required when lodging an application to construct a swimming pool can be found in the Building Application Guidelines and Checklist Factsheet.

Applications for the construction of new swimming pools and fencing can be submitted by email, post or physically at any one of our Council Offices. Postal details and office locations can be viewed on the Contact page of our website. If emailing:

  1. And your application is for a property located to the south of El Arish and Bingil Bay (inclusive), please email it to buildingsouth@ccrc.qld.gov.au; or
  2. And your application is for a property located to the north of Silkwood and Kurrimine Beach (inclusive), please email it to buildingnorth@ccrc.qld.gov.au

All development applications can be tracked using MyCouncil. Please see the MyCouncil Factsheet for more information about the MyCouncil website.

Fees & Charges

Fees and charges are applicable at the time of lodging an application to construct a new swimming pool and fencing.  A link to Counci's fees and charges is below.
Use this link to view Council's Fees and Charges

Queensland's New Pool Safety Laws

The Queensland Government has pool safety laws aimed at further reducing injuries and drownings.  These laws affect new and existing pools.  An overview is as follows:

What is a "regulated pool"?

A regulated pool is associated with:

  • houses
  • units and unit complexes
  • motels
  • hotels
  • hostels
  • backpacker accommodation and short term accommodations
  • caravan parks
  • mobile van parks

Pool Safety Register

All pools and spas in Queensland need to be registered with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). If you fail to register your pool, QBCC can issue penalties which include an on-the-spot fine of $243.80 for individuals or $731.40 for companies.  The court can impose a maximum penalty of up to $2438.  Check whether your pool or spa is registered, or register a pool or spa, by visiting the QBCC website.

Pool Fences & Safety Barriers

Maintenance of pool fences and safety barriers is essential to help reduce the number of children drowning or suffering immersion injuries in swimming pools.  Pool owners need to ensure their pool barriers are maintained and any damaged fencing or barriers are fixed immediately. All pools or spas that can be filled to a depth of 300mm or more must have a compliant pool fence or barrier. This includes inflatable pools.

Is your pool fence or safety barrier compliant? 

  • The fence or barrier must be 1.2m high.
  • It must contain a self-closing gate.
  • The gap at the bottom of the fence must be no greater than 100mm to the ground.
  • The area must be free of shrubs, pot plants, furniture (climbable objects) that will compromise the height of the fence.

For above ground pools:

  • The sides of the pool must be at least 1.2m high all the way around.
  • No bracing or indents on the sides of the pool which could be considered climbable.
  • Any ladders or filters must have a fence with a self-closing gate.

For further information, visit the QBCC website or the QDC (Swimming Pool Barriers) Website

CPR Signs & Warning Signs

New pool safety laws require the latest cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign to be displayed near your pool.  Ensure your pool complies with the latest CPR sign requirements.  CPR signs are available from your local pool store. New rules for CPR signage

Pool Safety Inspections & Certificates

Pool safety certificates are required when selling or leasing a property with a pool. They must be obtained from a licensed pool safety inspector.  Council is registered to provide this service.  Further information for pool owners and pool safety inspectors can be found on the QBCC website.

Pool safety inspectors determine whether or not pools comply with the pool safety standards. Inspectors issue a pool safety certificate or a non-conformity notice. The notice will outline what needs to be done to make the pool compliant.

More information about pool safety compliance and inspections can be found in our Swimming Pools and Fencing Factsheet.

Lodging a Pool Safety Certificate Application

To obtain a Pool Safety Certificate, please submit an application using MyCouncil.  Please see the MyCouncil Factsheet for more information about the MyCouncil website.

Alternatively application forms can be lodged over the counter, by email or by post. Please complete the Application for a Pool Safety Certificate form and return to Council with the applicable fee. 

Postal details and office locations can be viewed on the Contact page of our website.  If emailing:

  1. And your application is for a property located to the south of El Arish and Bingil Bay (inclusive), please email it to buildingsouth@ccrc.qld.gov.au; or
  2. And your application is for a property located to the north of Silkwood and Kurrimine Beach (inclusive), please email it to buildingnorth@ccrc.qld.gov.au

Certificates are valid for one year for a shared pool and two years for a non-shared pool.

Pool safety inspections can be carried out on the following days. Please allow for 48 hours notice when scheduling inspections. Council requires payment of fees before the pool safety inspection is carried out.

  • Innisfail Shire Hall days (northern inspections): Mondays, Wednesdays & some Thursdays
  • Tully Civic Centre days (southern inspections): Tuesdays, Fridays & some Thursdays

Fees & Charges

Fees and charges are applicable at the time of lodging an application for a pool safety certificate. 

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