In December 2010, the Queensland Government implemented Australia’s most stringent pool safety legislation that requires any house being sold or leased having a pool safety certificate. This new legislation aims to reduce backyard drowning’s and injuries sustained by children in swimming pools. Between January 2004 and May 2010, 35 children under 5 drowned in Queensland swimming pools. A Pool Safety Certificate is provided by a licenced Pool Fence Inspector to show that the pool fencing and gates comply with the pool safety regulations, and are safe for children. Safety certificates are only be issued by a licensed pool inspector and are in effect for two years for private non shared pools or 1 year for a shared pool.
You are not required to obtain a pool safety certificate by November 2015 unless you are selling or leasing a property with a pool. Regardless of whether a pool safety certificate is required or not, all pool owners must ensure their pool complies with the current pool safety standard by December 1st, 2015.
From this date, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) and local council authorities will undertake random compliance checks of swimming pools and spas in Queensland properties to ensure pool owners are complying with safety standards. On-the-spot fines of up to $796.95 and further penalties up to $18,785.25 can be imposed on pool owners if their pool fence does not comply with the law.