Swimming pool and spa registration

Click here to register your pool or spa or lodge a certificate of compliance 

The Victorian Government introduced new legislation on December 1, 2019 requiring the registration of swimming pools and spas with Council no later than November 1, 2020. These laws are applicable to all swimming pools and spas, regardless of age or status, that are capable of holding a depth of more than 300 mm (30 cm) of water. This includes all permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, wading pools and relocatable pools.

The new regulations require land owners, including landlords, to be responsible for registering their pool or spa. Landowners will also be responsible for engaging a suitably qualified registered building practitioner (Private Building Inspector or Building Surveyor) to undertake regular compliance inspections.  These inspections will be required every 4 years and a certificate of compliance will need to be lodged with Council.

Compliance certificates 

A timeline for compliance certificates to be lodged is as follows:

• Pools and spas built on or before 30 June 1994 or where Council does not have record of a confirmed construction date, will need to have a compliance certificate lodged by 1 June, 2022
• Pools and spas built between 1 July 1994 and 30 April 2010, will need to have a compliance certificate lodged by 1June, 2023
• Pools and spas built between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2020, will need to have a compliance certificate lodged by 1 June, 2024

Please note, the above dates are a guide only and subject to change. Correspondence from Council will determine the approximate date by which a compliance certificate is due. Compliance certificates can be lodged via the online applicant portal where the pool or spa was initially registered.

Certificates of non-compliance will need to be acted upon. The registered building practitioner who undertakes the inspection will provide guidance on this matter and work with landowners to rectify any issues of non-compliance. 

Safety assessment checklists

Owners who wish to undertake an initial safety assessment themselves can follow a series of checklists provided by the Victorian Building Authority. These checklists are a guide only and do not amount to legal compliance of your pool or spa. An inspection from a qualified registered building practitioner is still required.

• Checklist 1 (for pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991)
• Checklist 2 (for pools and spas installed between 8 April 1991 and 30 April 2010)
• Checklist 3 (for pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010)

Change of ownership

If you have recently purchased a property with a pool or spa, you will need to confirm that it has been registered with Council . If the pool or spa has been registered, please submit a Change of Ownership Application Form so that we can update our records and forward any relevant correspondence relating to the pool or spa to you.  If the pool or spa has not been registered, you will be required to register it via the online applicant portal as as soon as possible to avoid possible infringements. 

Fees

The State Government has provided the following guidelines for the fees applicable to the new regulations:

• A one-off registration fee of $79 to cover administration costs, including an information search fee.
• Compliance certificate lodgement fee $20.40
• Non-compliance certificate lodgement fee $385.10

Penalties may apply for late registration, late lodgement of certificates, or other infringements.

Payment options

Payments can be made via the online applicant portal or in person at 15 Hopetoun Street, Bendigo or 125 High Street, Heathcote via eftpos or cheque.

A hard copy application is available for those unable to access a computer or internet. Please call 5434 6000 to have a copy sent via post. 

Please note, your pool or spa is not successfully registered with Council until the registration fee is paid. Failure to do so may result in further fees being applied.

If you require any further information, clarification or assistance with your application, please call 03 5434 6000.

To find out more about registration requirements, inspections and compliance, please visit the Victorian Building Authority website.