Pool barrier checker for NSW pool fences and gates

Walk around your pool and answer one question at a time. You'll see what's likely to fail an inspection, how to fix it and who does the work, plus what your sale or lease needs.

Rules checked 16 October 2026

Why are you checking the pool?
What kind of pool is it?

Portable and inflatable pools that can be filled to 300 mm or more need a barrier too.

Is the spa covered by a lid, or fenced?

A securely fastened, child-resistant lid, grille or mesh may be allowed instead of a fence, depending on the spa's size and function.

When was the pool built?

This only tells you which Australian Standard probably applies. Older pools may be assessed differently.

Is the fence at least 1200 mm high all the way round?

Measure from the finished ground level on the outside, at the lowest points.

Is the gap under the fence 100 mm or less everywhere?
Is there anything a child could climb within 900 mm of the outside of the fence, or within 300 mm inside it?

Such as pot plants, a BBQ, chairs, trees or a retaining wall.

If a boundary fence forms part of the pool barrier, is it at least 1800 mm high on the pool side?
Does the gate open outwards, away from the pool, and swing shut and latch by itself from any open position?

Open it a little, halfway and fully, and let go each time.

Is the latch release 1500 mm above the ground (the register checklist figure for pools built after 1 May 2013)?

The standard allows some other latch arrangements, so a certifier decides on those.

Does any door or window open directly into the pool area?
Is there a CPR sign in good condition that you can read from 3 m away?
Is the pool registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register?

to take outside, with the questions and the rules table.

NSW Pool Safety: NSW pool barrier self-check · https://nswpoolsafety.com.au/tools/pool-barrier-checker/ · Rules checked 16 October 2026

Your result

Answer the questions and you'll get a list of anything likely to fail an inspection, with a one-line fix and who usually does it, and what your reason for checking means for the certificate you need.

This is a self-check, not an inspection. Only a registered certifier or your council can decide whether a pool complies. NSW Pool Safety is a private website, not a government agency.

NSW pool barrier rules the checker asks about

The measurements come from the NSW Government's Owning a pool or spa page and the NSW Swimming Pool Register's self-assessment checklist for pools built after 1 May 2013. A certifier also checks things this checker doesn't ask about, such as the gaps between vertical bars and the hole size in mesh fencing.

The rules in one table

NSW pool barrier rules

ItemWhat it needsFrom
Fence heightAt least 1200 mm, measured from the finished ground levelNSW Government
Gap under the fenceNo more than 100 mm from the finished ground levelNSW Government
Non-climbable zoneNothing climbable within 900 mm outside the fence, or within 300 mm inside the pool areaNSW Government
Boundary fence used as the barrierAt least 1800 mm high, measured from inside the pool areaNSW Government; register checklist
GateOpens outwards, away from the pool; self-closes and self-latches from any open position; never propped openNSW Government; register checklist
Gate latch release1500 mm above the ground on the register checklist for pools built after 1 May 2013; the standard allows other arrangements and a certifier decidesRegister checklist
CPR signIn good condition and easy to read from 3 m awayNSW Government
RegistrationEvery pool and spa on the NSW Swimming Pool Register, against the property addressNSW Government

From the NSW Government's "Owning a pool or spa" page (updated 16 March 2026) and the NSW Swimming Pool Register self-assessment checklist for pools built after 1 May 2013, checked 16 October 2026. Older pools may be assessed against an earlier standard.

Which Australian Standard applies to your pool
  • Built 1 August 1990 to 31 August 2008: AS 1926-1986
  • Built 1 September 2008 to 30 April 2013: AS 1926.1-2007
  • Built from 1 May 2013: AS 1926.1-2012

Pools built before 1 August 1990, and pools on some property types, can be assessed differently. If the barrier is altered, the NSW Government says AS 1926.1-2012 applies and earlier exemptions stop. The date bands follow Waverley Council's inspection form; a registered certifier or your council confirms which rules apply to your pool.

Selling or leasing a home with a pool

A sale contract needs the pool's registration certificate and one of: a valid certificate of compliance, an occupation certificate issued within the last 3 years, or a certificate of non-compliance. With a certificate of non-compliance, the buyer has 90 days from settlement to fix the defects it lists.

For a lease, the tenant must be given a copy of a valid certificate of compliance or an occupation certificate. A certificate of non-compliance can't be used to rent a property. A certificate of compliance is valid for 3 years. See selling or leasing a home with a pool for the details.

For the full rules, read the NSW pool fence regulations guide. For the work itself, see pool fence repairs, pool gate repairs and pool compliance certificates.

Common questions about the pool barrier checker

Does this checker tell me my pool complies?

No. It's a self-check of the common problems. Only a registered certifier or your council can inspect a pool barrier and issue a certificate of compliance or non-compliance.

How long does a certificate of compliance last?

A certificate of compliance is valid for 3 years from the date it's issued. For a lease, the tenant must be given a copy of a valid certificate of compliance or an occupation certificate.

Who fixes the problems the checker finds?

You can move pot plants, furniture and BBQs, replace a worn CPR sign and register the pool yourself. Fence and gate repairs are fencing work: residential fencing work over $5,000 including labour and materials needs a contractor licence. You choose who does it.

Where these rules come from

The rules on this page come from these published pages, checked on 16 October 2026.

Need a pool barrier inspection or a fence fixed?

Tell us the suburb, what the checker found and any sale, lease or council date you're working to.

Send an enquiry