What Happens If The Pool Fence Is Non-Compliant?

Non-compliant pool fence

As a pool owner, your number one priority should always be the safety of everyone who uses or comes near your pool—especially young children. That's why regular pool barrier inspections are not just a legal requirement, but a crucial step in preventing accidents. But what happens if your pool fence or barrier doesn't meet compliance standards?

You’ll Receive a Detailed Inspection Report

If your pool fence is found to be non-compliant during an inspection, don’t panic. The first thing you’ll receive is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand report. This document will clearly outline every item that does not meet current safety regulations. Each issue will be detailed with photos and notes explaining why it’s non-compliant and what needs to be done to rectify it. If you are home at the time of inspection, we’ll also walk you through the issue/s and give ideas on how it can be remedied.

We’re Here to Help

We understand that interpreting compliance regulations can be confusing. That’s why we encourage pool owners to contact us with any questions. We’re happy to talk you through the report, clarify the requirements, and provide advice on how best to approach the necessary repairs.

You Have 60 Days to Fix and Have it Reinspected

Once you’ve received your non-compliance report, you are legally required to complete all necessary works and arrange a reinspection within 60 days of the original inspection. This timeline is enforced under pool safety legislation to ensure that unsafe barriers are not left unaddressed.

If the issues are fixed satisfactorily within the 60-day window, and the barrier passes reinspection, your pool will then be deemed compliant, and you can rest easy knowing your pool area is safe and legally sound.

High-Risk Non-Compliance and Form 24

In rare cases, if your pool fence poses an immediate and significant safety risk—for example, a height of less than 1m or a completely missing barrier, or a gate that cannot be closed—a Form 24 (Non-Compliance Notice) will be issued immediately and forwarded to the local council. This is only done in high-risk situations where there's a serious danger to life, especially that of young children.

Fortunately, such extreme cases are not common. Most non-compliance issues are relatively straightforward to fix, and we aim to work with owners in a supportive and professional manner to help them reach compliance.

In Summary

• Non-compliant pool fences will result in a detailed report.

• You’ll have 60 days to fix issues and arrange a reinspection.

• We're available to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

• Serious safety risks may lead to an instant Form 24 notification to council (but these are rare).

  
  

Maintaining a compliant pool barrier is not only a legal responsibility—it's an essential part of keeping your loved ones and the wider community safe.

If you’re due for a pool fence inspection or have received a report and need help, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to make compliance clear, manageable, and stress-free.