Swimming pool fencing

We all share responsibility for keeping our kids safe from drowning or serious injury.

Learn how to meet Queensland pool safety standards. Refer to code MP3.4 Swimming pool barriers on Queensland Development Code webpage.

Property owners and tenants, your top five steps to follow for pool safety:

  1. Ensure the barrier or fence meets pool safety standards.
  2. Always maintain the barrier or fence in good condition.
  3. Never tie or prop open a pool gate and ensure the gate is self-closing.
  4. Never place climbable furniture or objects near the barrier or fence.
  5. Always provide adequate adult supervision of children in the pool area.

Approvals for pools and spas

All swimming pools and spas need a building approval to build or demolish and must be registered with the Queensland Building Construction Commission (QBCC).

These requirements don't apply to portable wading pools that are:

  • unable to be filled to 300 millimetres or more (ruler height), and
  • less than 2000 litres (about 7 bathtubs full), and
  • have no filtration system (pump and filter attached)

Ice bath and spa pool safety requirements

In Queensland, any ice bath, spa pool or similar capable of holding water deeper than 300mm is classified as a swimming pool under state legislation. They must meet the Queensland Pool Safety Standard, even if it has a lockable lid or cover.

The sides of an ice bath or spa pool may count as part of the safety barrier if they are at least 1200mm high, cannot be climbed and otherwise meet all relevant safety criteria. However, any access points, for example, ladders or steps, must be inside a compliant pool fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Ice baths and spa pools can also be placed inside an existing certified pool barrier, as long as the barrier fully meets the Pool Safety Standard and prevents unsupervised access. For details, refer to the Queensland Development Code MP 3.4 – Swimming Pool Barriers.

Where to go for information

Swimming pool regulations involve different parts of the government. The following table will help you find the information you need.

Type of fencing enquiry Resources
Pool safety regulation Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works
Registration of swimming pools
Licences for building and certifying pools as well as pool safety inspection		 Queensland Building Construction Commission
Complaints about fencing or unfenced pools
Compliance notices for repairs and fines		 Report a problem – development compliance
Pool fencing exemptions on the grounds of accessibility or impracticality City of Gold Coast – see application form below
Certification of new swimming pools Private building certifiers
Certification of existing pool fencing and minor repairs Pool safety inspectors

Application for pool safety standard exemption

Use this form to request an exemption from complying with a part of the pool safety standard. Fees apply. See application form for details.

Online

Step 1.Gather your documents

You must submit the following supporting information with your application:

  • Completed State Government Form 28 application for pool safety standard exemption
  • Additional supporting information (e.g. reasons for exemptions, medical evidence of disability, photographs of pool area, drawings, reports, cost estimates, etc.).
  • Fee payment (see application form)

Step 2.Complete and submit our online form

Complete and submit your application

Submit online form

In person

Step 1.Gather your documents

You must submit the following supporting information with your application:

  • Completed State Government Form 28 application for pool safety standard exemption
  • Additional supporting information (e.g. reasons for exemptions, medical evidence of disability, photographs of pool area, drawings, reports, cost estimates, etc.).
  • Fee payment (see application form)

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Application for pool safety standard exemption(PDF, 412KB)

Step 3.Visit one of our customer service centres

Submit your application and pay at one of our customer service centres Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm.

By mail

Step 1.Gather your documents

You must submit the following supporting information with your application:

  • Completed State Government Form 28 application for pool safety standard exemption
  • Additional supporting information (e.g. reasons for exemptions, medical evidence of disability, photographs of pool area, drawings, reports, cost estimates, etc.).
  • Fee payment (see application form)

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Application for pool safety standard exemption(PDF, 412KB)

Step 3.Send us your completed application form and payment

Post to:

City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726

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