Click here to register your pool or spa

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 that are capable of holding more than 300 mm (30 cm) of water, there is no exception for age or status. This includes permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools and relocatable pools.

The new regulations require land owners, including landlords, to be responsible for registering their pool or spa. It will also be their responsibility to engage a suitably qualified registered building practitioner (ie. Building Inspector or Building Surveyor), who will issue and lodge with Council a certificate of compliance or certificate of non-compliance. These inspections and certificates will need to be lodged with Council every 4 years.

Compliance certificates

Certificates of non-compliance will need to be acted upon. 

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

• Pools and spas built on or before 30 June 1994, will need to have a compliance certificate lodged by 1 November 2021
• Pools and spas built between 1 July 1994 and 30 April 2010, will need to have a compliance certificate lodged by 1 November 2022
• Pools and spas built between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2020, will need to have a compliance certificate lodged by 1 November 2023

Safety assessment checklists

Owners who wish to undertake the initial safety assessment themselves can follow a series of checklists provided by the Victorian Building Authority. Please note, 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 will still need to take place.

• 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)

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

Payment can be made via credit card on the online registration portal or by calling 03 5434 6000 to arrange an over phone payment instead. Please have your application number handy if making payment via phone. 

A hard copy application is available for those that do not have access to a computer or internet. To obtain this, please call 03 5434 6000 and request a copy via post. 

Hard copy applications are to be submitted via post to PO Box 733, Bendigo 3552 with a cheque or money order included for payment. If credit card payment is preferred, please indicate so on the form and someone will contact you complete payment over the phone.

Please note, your pool or spa is not officially registered until payment is made.

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.