Spa Pool Safety in Australia - The Complete Guide

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Amongst the convenience and enjoyment of owning a spa pool, comes the need to be safety conscious. As a spa owner, you’re responsible for the safety of all spa users. Although keeping track of relevant legislation can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. By following our ultimate spa pool safety guide below, you can be confident that you’re doing your part to keep everyone safe.

Must I register my spa pool?

All spa pool owners must register their pool online on the NSW Government's Swimming Pool Register. You will then be issued with a certificate of registration.

To confirm this registration, you can check the NSW Government's Swimming Pool Register website to see if your spa pool has been listed.

Do swimming pool laws apply to spa pools?

Any structure over 30 centimetres deep intended for aquatic activity needs to comply with the New South Wales Swimming Pools Act 1992. As a result, spa pool owners will need to meet all relevant requirements stated in this act.

Does my spa pool need a fence?

A core requirement in the Swimming Pools Act 1992 is for all spa pools to be surrounded by a child-resistant barrier. This law applies regardless if children are living on the property or not. By having this legal requirement it helps to ensure that no child can access the spa pool unsupervised. For the barrier to meet the legal safety requirements, it needs to be at least 1.2 metres high and designed in such a way that young kids can’t climb over or crawl under it.

Likewise, the gate used to enter your spa must be self-closing and swing outward from the spa pool. The latch will need to be at least 1.5 metres above ground level so that kids aren’t able to open it.

Your barrier will need to be installed and checked before your spa pool can be filled with water. It’s essential that this is done within two months of installing it. As a spa owner, you’re responsible for ensuring your barrier meets the requirements and remains in a suitable condition.

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