Victorians now have more time to get their pool and spa safety barriers inspected and certified as compliant, with the Victorian Government acknowledging the challenges imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne extended the deadline for owners to lodge certificates of pool and spa barrier compliance with their local council, in recognition of the limited opportunity for building inspectors to visit homes during the pandemic.

The first certificate lodgement deadline will be extended from 1 November 2021 to 1 June 2022, with subsequent lodgement deadlines also moved back to June 2023 and June 2024 respectively.

This extension acknowledges the extra pressure that coronavirus is placing on families, as well as the challenge of finding building practitioners to inspect and certify safety barriers and fix any identified non-compliance.

In December 2019 the Government amended the Building Regulations to introduce new requirements to improve the safety of private swimming pools and spas. The regulations include requirements for owners to register their swimming pools and spas with their local council.

The registration deadline was 1 November 2020 and any owners who have not yet registered their pool or spa are encouraged to make an application to council as soon as possible. Failure to register may attract a council infringement notice of up to $363.

Owners must also have a registered building surveyor or inspector certify the continuing compliance of their safety barrier every four years.

Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for young children and in Victoria most fatal drownings of young children occur in backyard swimming pools.

For more information on the Victorian Government’s pool safety reforms, visit vba.vic.gov.au.