Pool fencing requirements: Victoria

Having your own pool to swim in is fun and convenient. However, it can also pose risks, especially to kids and pets. To ensure that your children and their friends are safe from drowning, make it a point to comply with the pool fencing regulations in Victoria. Here are some essential points that you need to take note of.

• If your pool has a depth of 300mm (30cm), you must secure it with a compliant fence on all four sides. There should be no direct access to the pool from your house.
• Your pool fence should be at least 1.2m (1200mm) in height. It should not be more than 100mm (10cm) above the ground, and any palings or panels should not be more than 100mm (10cm) apart from each other.
• The gate to your pool fence must self-close and self-latch. It must be kept closed at all times.
• Your fencing should not have footholds or indentations greater than 10mm (1cm). Otherwise, children can use them to climb over the fence to access the pool area.
• You should have a “non-climbable zone” — plants, trees, furniture, or any other object that can be used for climbing over the fence should not be found within 900mm (90cm) of the outside of your pool fencing.

Permits and inspections

Before installing a new pool or barrier or making alterations to your pool, you must get a building permit first. A registered building surveyor issues a permit, typically including the pool designer’s drawings and specifications and details of the filtration and water reticulation systems.

Your building surveyor may also require more documents to help them better assess if the work will comply with Victorian Pool Fencing requirements.

Once your pool fence construction is done, the person in charge of your building project should notify your building surveyor. During this stage, the surveyor will perform a final inspection to know if your pool fence is compliant.

Vic has strict requirements for residential pool fencing, so it’s best to leave its construction to professionals to avoid paying a hefty fine. ServiceSeeking.com.au has a list of top pool fencing installers from all over Australia.