It is now compulsory to register your swimming pool or spa

Use the online Swimming Pool register, or the NSW Swimming Pool Registration Form.

Swimming pool and spa owners will be required to self-assess, and state in the register that, to the best of their knowledge, their swimming pool complies with the applicable standard when registering their pool.

Royal Life Saving NSW has excellent information about pool safety

There is a $220 penalty for owners who fail to register a swimming pool. You must register your pool or spa before 29 October 2013.

In addition, swimming pool owners are required to provide a valid swimming pool compliance certificate before being able to sell or lease a property with a pool. Accredited certifiers under the Building Professional Act 2005 may conduct swimming pool inspections initiated by the pool owner.

$220 penalty for not registering before 29 October 2013

The register was recommended in a review and is designed to enhance the safety of children under the age of five years around private (‘backyard’) swimming pools in NSW.

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in very young children who lack the cognitive and water skills to deal with the danger.

With over 300,000 backyard swimming pools in NSW, swimming pool safety is a vital issue that affects the whole community.

Gosford Council responsibilities

Gosford Council may inspect any swimming pool that is the subject of a complaint to the council.

Council may also charge a fee for each inspection undertaken (up to a maximum of $150 for the first inspection and $100 for one re-inspection resulting from the first inspection).

Council is also required to:

• Develop and implement a swimming pool barrier inspection program in consultation with the community by no later than 29 October 2013.
• Report annually on the number of pool inspections undertaken and the level of compliance with the requirements.
• Inspect pools associated with tourist and visitor accommodation and multi-occupancy developments at three year intervals.
• Inspect pools prior to sale or lease at the request of a pool owner.
• Issue compliance certificates after an inspection which finds a pool barrier compliant with the requirements of the legislation. Compliance certificates are valid for three years.

To check if a pool meets legislative requirements, pool owners and occupiers should contact their Gosford Council in the first instance.