Overview of the 2012 Standard

In Victoria, any swimming pool or spa able to hold ≥ 300 mm of water must be enclosed by a safety barrier compliant with Australian Standard AS 1926.1‑2012, incorporated into the Building Regulations 2018. This standard applies to new installations after 1 May 2013, and older pools must comply if major alterations have been made. Your council letter will determine if this is the applicable standard for you. Below is a good summary of the main elements Country Vic Pool Inspections will check during your compliance check.

🧱 Barrier Height & Gaps

• Minimum height of 1.2 m (1200 mm) from finished ground level measured on the outside of the barrier (Boundary fences are 1.8m and measured from the inside)

• Gaps between the bottom of the fence and ground must not exceed 100 mm and the ground must be firm.

• Vertical spacing between vertical members must not exceed 100 mm.

• Horizontal rails on the outside face must be spaced at least 900 mm apart so they cannot be used for climbing where protrusions/ indentations of more than 10mm occur.

🛑 Non‑Climbable Zones (NCZ)

For barriers less than 1.8 m high, a series of Non‑Climbable Zones (NCZ) must be maintained:

1. NCZ 1: A 9 00 mm vertical plane on the outside face, free from footholds or handholds.

2. NCZ 2: A 900 mm radius downwards from the top of NCZ 1, clear of climbing aids.

3. NCZ 3: A 900 mm radius upward from the top of the barrier (like tree branches) – only applies if NCZ 1 is below the top of the barrier.

4. NCZ 4: A 300 mm deep × 900 mm high internal zone on the inside of the barrier aligned with NCZ 1, for fences with vertical openings between 10–100 mm.

5. NCZ 5: On Boundary Fences, a 900 mm radius downwards from the top of NCZ 1, clear of climbing aids is required on the inside of the fence.

The diagram above illustrates NCZs: the semicircular shaded areas outside and the internal clearance. See our blog here for more info: https://www.countryvicpoolinspections.com.au/post/understanding-non-climbable-zones-nczs-in-pool-barrier-safety

🚪 Gates & Latches

• Gates must swing outwards, away from the pool.

• They must self-close and self-latch from any position without manual assistance – including fully open and just resting on the latch.

• The latch release must be at least 1500 mm above ground, or if lower, must be shielded (e.g. small opening device, shielded radius ≥ 450 mm, inside on glass min 150mm down).

• Gate hinges or springs that protrude must be spaced at least 900 mm apart or angled at a minimum 60° slope to prevent climbing.

• Clearances between gate post and stile no more than 10 mm, and bottom gap no greater than 100 mm.

🪟 Windows & Walls

• Any openable window within 1800 mm vertically above the external pool area must be secured:

  • If the window sill is < 900 mm from internal floor: bars/screens with max 105 mm openings, tool‑fixed, or openings restricted to 100 mm;

  • If sill is 900–1200 mm, then a fly screen, tool‑fixed, is acceptable;

  • No requirement if sill is > 1200 mm above internal floor level.

🔧 Glass Barriers

If using glass panels, they must comply with AS 1288 as well as AS 1926.1‑2012, with documented certification demonstrating compliance – look for stickers on your glass.

📋 Maintenance & Compliance

• Barriers, gates, windows must all be kept in good working order at all times (no rust, damaged components, etc.).

• Pool owners in Victoria must have their pool barrier inspected every 4 years by a registered pool inspector (i.e. Country Vic Pool Inspections), with compliance forms lodged with council.

• Pools/spas holding more than 300 mm water must be registered with the local council.

⚠️ Usage of This Post

• The diagram above is generated from public domain illustrations describing NCZ zones and compliance layouts — safe to share.

• All descriptive text is original and summarises the standard for Victoria using publicly available guidelines and council fact sheets.

• For full detail, refer to the official AS 1926.1‑2012 standard (copyrighted). This summary is not a substitute for the actual document or professional advice. It is designed to aid in a self check of your barrier before engaging a professional. Additional self-check information from the VBA is available here: https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/swimming-pools/pool-safety-barriers