Georges River local government area is home to thousands of swimming pools. We have a responsibility to ensure residents meet the safety standards of pool fencing legislation. This includes registering and certifying all residential swimming pools. We are also required to raise awareness of pool safety practises.

Many children drown or are seriously injured in swimming pools every year. There are several simple ways to avoid tragedies related to swimming pools including:

• Building compliant fences or barriers around swimming pools.
• Constantly supervising children in and around swimming pools.
• Displaying cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction sign close to the pool.
• Regularly inspect, maintain and repair pool fences and gates.

The Royal Life Saving Society created a 'Keep Watch' campaign. It recommends implementing these four actions to maximise child safety around water:

• Supervise
• Restrict
• Teach
• Respond.

It only takes a few moments for a child to slip away unnoticed, fall into the water and drown. Drowning is often quick and silent. If you are supervising a toddler or child around or in a swimming pool. Remember: Avoid distractions such as mobile phones, attending to another child and NEVER LEAVE a child unattended in or around a pool.
 
More information about the Keep Watch Program is available on the Royal Lifesaving website.
 

Regulations for swimming pool fencing

In NSW, pool owners must have a fence or other approved child-resistant barrier installed around their pool or spa pool.
 
Before submitting an application to certify your swimming pool, please refer to:

• Swimming Pools Act 1992.
• Swimming Pools Regulation 2018.
• Relevant Australian Standards for the complete requirements.Georges River Council - Application Information (nsw.gov.au)) or by engaging an Accredited Private Certifier which due to Council’s limited resources may be a quicker option.

NSW Fair Trading has advised that all pools must comply with the current barrier requirements unless it can be verified that the pool complied on 31 August 2008 and continued to comply until date of inspection. Council will follow all advice from Fair Trading regarding the interpretation of the Act and regulations.  

Self-assessment checklists are available on the NSW Swimming Pool register to help owners ensure their pools comply. The current checklist is located at Swimming pool self assessment checklist
 

Registration

Owners of premises with a swimming pool or spa must register the pool or spa on the NSW Swimming Pool Register, under the Swimming Pools Act 1992.
 
The Swimming Pool Register is administered by the NSW Department of Planning & Environment, Division of Local Government.
 
Registration of existing pools was required to be made before 29 October 2013. If you have not yet registered your pool, please register it as soon as possible to avoid penalties.
 
All new swimming pools and spa pools must be registered before the appointed Council or Private Accredited Certifier can issue an Occupation Certificate for the pool. 
 

Inspections

Owners can request a swimming pool barrier inspection for the purpose of issuing a Swimming Pool Certificate of Compliance.

The swimming pool barrier inspection can be conducted by Council by completing the online application or by engaging an Accredited Private Certifier which due to Council’s limited resources may be a quicker option. 

You can find a Private Certifier through NSW Fair Trading or the Swimming Pool Register.