Council approval
Any pool holding more than 300mm of water needs approval and a safety barrier. Pick your state and we'll lay it out.
In WA there are three steps.
- Get a building permit from your council. About $172, up to 25 business days.
- Put up a safety barrier before you fill the pool.
- Lodge a one-page completion form. Council inspects, you're done.
The detail is below if you want it. If you'd rather not touch any of it, there's someone who will.
A zip with your checklist and a note for your certifier. Our engineer's certificates and drawings for both pool sizes are being countersigned now and will be added; email hello@terratanks.com.au if you need them sooner.
1. Get a building permit
One application to your council, online. The main thing they want is a drawing of where the pool and fence will sit on your block.
Show me exactly what to lodge
- Form BA2 (building permit, uncertified). Same form statewide; download the PDF, or fill it in on your council's online portal.
- The drawings: a site plan at 1:200 showing the pool, barrier and pump with distances to the boundaries, plus a barrier elevation showing fence height, footings and gate hinge and latch heights. Any local draftsperson who knows pools does both, or Aus Pool Permits does it for $450. If you're using a fencing company, they'll usually supply the barrier elevation themselves.
- Our engineer's structural certificate and drawings for your pool size, free. Email hello@terratanks.com.au with your pool size and we'll send them.
- The fee: about $172, paid to your council when you lodge. That's their $110 permit fee plus a $61.65 state levy they collect on the government's behalf. Some councils also take the inspection fee here.
Councils have up to 25 business days. You don't normally need planning approval too, unless the block is heritage-listed or the pool sits close to a boundary.
2. Put up the safety barrier
Before the water goes in. In WA the barrier has to meet AS 1926.1-2012, which in practice means a 1.2m fence with a self-closing gate and nothing climbable next to it.
Show me the barrier rules
- At least 1200mm high, measured from the outside.
- No gap over 100mm under it or between bars.
- A 900mm non-climbable zone on the outside: no pots, pumps, furniture or rails.
- A self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool, latch at least 1500mm up. Gates are what fail inspections.
- Boundary fences can form part of it if they're at least 1800mm on the pool side.
Full detail in the WA Government's Rules for Pools and Spas.
3. Lodge the completion form and get inspected
Send your council Form BA7 (download the PDF) within 7 days of finishing. Same form statewide; some councils have it as an online form. They inspect the barrier within 30 days, then every four years after that (usually a small charge on your rates).
Choosing a fence
Most people need less fence than they think. Put the pool in a corner and your boundary fences count as two sides, so you're adding two short sides and a gate, around 8 to 10 metres.
Do it yourself
Aluminium panel kits from Bunnings or a fencing supplier. Roughly $1,000 to $3,000 for a corner pool. Pick one marked AS 1926.1 compliant.
Hire a local fencer
Search "pool fencing" plus your suburb. Aluminium is about $105 to $370 a metre installed, glass $315 to $840. Ask them to build to AS 1926.1-2012 and supply the elevation drawing for your permit.
Prefer to have an expert handle it all for you?
Our preferred installers do the lot: permit, base, pool, fence, decking, inspection. One quote, one crew. They quote you directly.
Tucker Build & Shade, Perth. Call Gabby on 0458 494 349
JLS Group WA, Perth. Call Jock on 0430 752 183
In NSW there are three steps.
- Get approval. The 1.8m pool usually needs none. The 2.4m pool needs a Complying Development Certificate, typically 10 to 20 business days.
- Put up a safety barrier and a CPR sign before you fill the pool.
- Register the pool online (free) and have the barrier checked.
The detail is below if you want it.
A zip with your checklist and a note for your certifier. Our engineer's certificates and drawings for both pool sizes are being countersigned now and will be added; email hello@terratanks.com.au if you need them sooner.
1. Get approval
NSW treats small portable pools differently from bigger ones, and the line is 2,000 litres.
Show me which approval I need
1.8m pool (about 1,400 litres): usually "exempt development", which means no approval for the pool itself, as long as it's in the rear yard, at least 1m from every boundary, needs no structural work to install, and has a compliant barrier. If your site can't meet all four, it needs the same approval as the 2.4m.
2.4m pool (about 2,400 litres): needs a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) from your council or a private certifier. The pool must sit in the rear yard, at least 1m from side and rear boundaries. A private certifier is usually faster. What they'll ask for:
- A site plan showing the pool, barrier and pump with distances to boundaries. Any local draftsperson who knows pools can draw it.
- Barrier details: fence height, gate and latch heights. Your fencer usually supplies this.
- Our engineer's Certificate of Design Compliance and drawings for your pool size, free. Email hello@terratanks.com.au with your pool size and we'll send them.
- Fees vary by council and certifier; a private certifier will quote the CDC up front.
A CDC is typically issued within 10 to 20 business days. If your block is heritage-listed or bushfire or flood affected, a CDC may not be available and you'd need a development application instead. A Section 10.7 planning certificate from your council tells you.
2. Put up the safety barrier
Before the water goes in. The standard is AS 1926.1-2012: a 1.2m fence, self-closing gate, nothing climbable next to it. NSW also requires a CPR sign facing the pool.
Show me the barrier rules
- At least 1200mm high, measured from the outside.
- No gap over 100mm under it or between bars.
- A 900mm non-climbable zone on the outside: no pots, pumps, furniture or rails.
- A self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool, latch at least 1500mm up.
- Boundary fences can form part of it if they're at least 1800mm on the pool side.
- A CPR sign readable from 3m, facing the pool.
Full detail and the self-assessment checklists are on the NSW Swimming Pool Register site.
3. Register the pool and get the barrier checked
Register at the NSW Swimming Pool Register. It's free and takes five minutes. If you got a CDC, your certifier inspects the barrier and issues an occupation certificate when the pool's done. If the pool was exempt, you self-assess the barrier when you register; a certificate of compliance from council (about $150) or a private certifier is only needed if you sell or lease.
Choosing a fence
Most people need less fence than they think. Put the pool in a corner and your boundary fences count as two sides, so you're adding two short sides and a gate, around 8 to 10 metres.
Do it yourself
Aluminium panel kits from Bunnings or a fencing supplier. Roughly $1,000 to $3,000 for a corner pool. Pick one marked AS 1926.1 compliant.
Hire a local fencer
Search "pool fencing" plus your suburb. Ask them to build to AS 1926.1-2012 and supply the barrier details for your approval.
In Victoria there are three steps.
- Get a building permit from a registered building surveyor (not the council).
- Put up a safety barrier before you fill the pool. The surveyor inspects it.
- Register the pool with your council and lodge the barrier certificate, both within 30 days.
The detail is below if you want it.
A zip with your checklist and a note for your certifier. Our engineer's certificates and drawings for both pool sizes are being countersigned now and will be added; email hello@terratanks.com.au if you need them sooner.
1. Get a building permit
In Victoria a private registered building surveyor issues the permit, not the council. Search "building surveyor" plus your suburb; they quote the whole thing up front.
Show me exactly what the surveyor needs
- A site plan showing the pool, barrier and pump with distances to boundaries. Any local draftsperson who knows pools can draw it.
- Barrier drawings showing it meets AS 1926.1. Your fencer usually supplies this.
- Our engineer's Regulation 126 Certificate of Compliance and drawings for your pool size, free. This is the form Victorian surveyors ask for. Email hello@terratanks.com.au with your pool size and we'll send them.
- Fees: the surveyor's fee plus a small state levy, quoted up front.
You don't normally need a planning permit as well unless your property has a heritage or other overlay. The surveyor checks this.
2. Put up the safety barrier
Before the water goes in. The standard is AS 1926.1-2012: a 1.2m fence, self-closing gate, nothing climbable next to it. Once it's up, your surveyor inspects and issues a certificate of final inspection.
Show me the barrier rules
- At least 1200mm high, measured from the outside.
- No gap over 100mm under it or between bars.
- A 900mm non-climbable zone on the outside: no pots, pumps, furniture or rails.
- A self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool, latch at least 1500mm up.
- Boundary fences can form part of it if they're at least 1800mm on the pool side.
Full detail at the Building and Plumbing Commission.
3. Register with council and lodge the certificate
Within 30 days of your certificate of final inspection, register the pool with your council (around $60) and lodge a Form 23 Certificate of Barrier Compliance, which your surveyor or a registered pool inspector issues (lodgement around $24). Then it's a new Form 23 every four years.
Choosing a fence
Most people need less fence than they think. Put the pool in a corner and your boundary fences count as two sides, so you're adding two short sides and a gate, around 8 to 10 metres.
Do it yourself
Aluminium panel kits from Bunnings or a fencing supplier. Roughly $1,000 to $3,000 for a corner pool. Pick one marked AS 1926.1 compliant.
Hire a local fencer
Search "pool fencing" plus your suburb. Ask them to build to AS 1926.1-2012 and supply the barrier drawings for your surveyor.
In Queensland there are three steps.
- Get building approval from a private building certifier (not the council).
- Put up a safety barrier. The certifier inspects it before you fill the pool.
- The certifier issues a Form 17 and registers your pool with the QBCC. Done.
The detail is below if you want it.
A zip with your checklist and a note for your certifier. Our engineer's certificates and drawings for both pool sizes are being countersigned now and will be added; email hello@terratanks.com.au if you need them sooner.
1. Get building approval
In Queensland a licensed private building certifier approves the pool and the barrier, not the council. Search "building certifier" plus your suburb; they quote the whole job up front.
Show me exactly what the certifier needs
- A site plan showing the pool, barrier and pump with distances to boundaries. Any local draftsperson who knows pools can draw it.
- Barrier details showing it meets QDC MP 3.4. Your fencer usually supplies this.
- Our engineer's Form 15 Compliance Certificate and drawings for your pool size, free. This is the design certificate Queensland certifiers ask for. Email hello@terratanks.com.au with your pool size and we'll send them.
- Fees: the certifier's fee plus council lodgement (Brisbane charges about $79), quoted up front.
You don't normally need planning approval as well unless your property has an overlay. The certifier checks this.
2. Put up the safety barrier
Queensland's standard is QDC MP 3.4, which in practice is the same 1.2m fence, self-closing gate and nothing climbable next to it. Don't fill the pool past 300mm until the certifier has inspected the barrier.
Show me the barrier rules
- At least 1200mm high, measured from the outside.
- No gap over 100mm under it or between bars.
- A 900mm non-climbable zone on the outside: no pots, pumps, furniture or rails.
- A self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool, latch at least 1500mm up.
- Boundary fences can form part of it if they're at least 1800mm on the pool side.
- A CPR sign near the pool.
Full detail at the QBCC pool safety pages.
3. Final certificate and registration
Once the barrier passes, the certifier issues a Form 17 Final Inspection Certificate and sends your pool's details to the QBCC Pool Register. Check it's listed. The Form 17 doubles as your pool safety certificate for two years if you sell or lease.
Choosing a fence
Most people need less fence than they think. Put the pool in a corner and your boundary fences count as two sides, so you're adding two short sides and a gate, around 8 to 10 metres.
Do it yourself
Aluminium panel kits from Bunnings or a fencing supplier. Roughly $1,000 to $3,000 for a corner pool. Pick one marked compliant with QDC MP 3.4 / AS 1926.1.
Hire a local fencer
Search "pool fencing" plus your suburb. Ask them to build to QDC MP 3.4 and supply the barrier details for your certifier.
South Australia
We're finishing this guide. It's the same shape everywhere: approval from your council or a certifier, a safety barrier to AS 1926.1 before you fill it, an inspection once it's up. Our engineer's structural certificate and drawings cover every state; email hello@terratanks.com.au with your pool size and we'll send them.
Call George on 0424 661 542 and he'll walk you through it for your council.
About your base (every state)
Our engineer has certified five ways to sit the pool: a concrete slab, pavers, a compacted gravel and sand pad, in-ground, or on a raised deck. On stable soil (class A, S or M) any of them works. On reactive clay (class H1 or H2) it must be a 150mm reinforced concrete slab or a raised deck. If your soil is class P or E, the base needs a site-specific engineer. Your draftsperson or certifier can tell you your soil class.
Stuck on anything? Call George on 0424 661 542.
Rules are set by each state and applied by your council or certifier, and they change. Fees quoted are the published minimums as at October 2026. Confirm with your council or certifier before you order, dig or fill.