Three councils cover this part of Sydney, and Canterbury-Bankstown is actively contacting pool owners to organise inspections, according to its pool safety page. If you've received a letter, book in early: the council's own fines for a non-compliant fence run to $550.
Gaps under the fence are a common fail here, especially where pavers have settled or garden beds have washed away. The gap from the finished ground level to the bottom of the fence can't be more than 10 cm.
What each council charges
Council inspection fees are set under the Swimming Pools Regulation 2018, so a council is usually the cheapest way to get a certificate. Private certifiers charge more and set their own booking times. These are the figures each council publishes, with the date of the page they come from.
City of Canterbury Bankstown
Fee: $150 for the first inspection and $100 if a second inspection is required. The $150 is paid when the application is lodged.
The council is conducting mandatory inspections of tourist, visitor and multi-occupancy developments, and its officers are contacting pool owners to organise inspections. It lists fines of $220 for failing to register and $550 for a non-compliant fence.
Source: City of Canterbury Bankstown pool safety page (modified 28 July 2026)
Bayside Council
Fee: $150 for the initial inspection and $100 for each follow-up inspection if required.
Sale and lease inspections are done within 10 days.
Source: Bayside Council inspection request form 2026-2027 (current at 1 July 2026)
Georges River Council
Fee: Charged under the council's adopted fees and charges. No figure is published on its pool pages.
The council inspects tourist, visitor and multi-occupancy pools at least every 3 years, other pools on a risk basis where resources allow, and any pool on an owner's request.
Source: Georges River Council swimming pool compliance and safety page (undated)
Compare these with the prices private certifiers publish in the pool inspection cost guide.
If the council has written to you
A council letter about your pool usually means an inspection is coming or a defect needs fixing. Don't ignore it. Read what it asks for, fix the easy items, and book a re-inspection or a private certifier if you'd rather have the barrier checked first.
Run through the pool barrier checker to find the likely problems before anyone visits.
Suburbs covered in St George & Canterbury-Bankstown
Requests are taken from these suburbs and the streets around them. Include yours in the form.
- Hurstville
- Kogarah
- Blakehurst
- Sans Souci
- Oatley
- Penshurst
- Beverly Hills
- Earlwood
- Revesby
- Padstow
- Panania
- Bankstown
What to send with your request
- The suburb, and whether you're selling, leasing, answering a council notice or just checking.
- The settlement, lease or council date you need to meet.
- The pool type (in-ground, above-ground, spa) and the fence type (glass, aluminium, timber or a boundary fence).
- Any earlier inspection report, so the certifier can re-check the listed items.
Common questions
What does Canterbury-Bankstown Council charge for a pool inspection?
Its pool safety page lists $150 for the first inspection and $100 if a second inspection is required.
What fines does Canterbury-Bankstown list for pools?
Its pool safety page lists $220 for failing to register a pool and $550 for a non-compliant pool fence.
How quickly will Bayside Council inspect before a sale?
Bayside says sale and lease inspections are done within 10 days.
