Installation and safety
What the law requires, the paperwork for your state, and how to set up and look after your pool.
Regulation and safety guidelines
In Australia, any pool that can hold more than 300mm of water has to comply with Australian pool safety regulations: the National Construction Code and the pool barrier standard AS 1926.1, enforced by your state and council.
Your stock tank pool can hold more than 300mm, so it has to comply too.
Earthed and bonded by a licensed electrician
Steel conducts electricity, so the wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000) require that a licensed electrician earths and bonds your stock tank pool before anyone swims or the pump runs.
Not sure it's been done? Don't use it.
No extension leads. Ever.
Extension leads are a safety hazard around your pool, so don't use them. Run the pump from a weatherproof outdoor power point with a safety switch (RCD), fitted by a licensed electrician. The pump cord is about 1m long, so place the pool near the power point.
Council approval
Your stock tank pool can hold more than 300mm of water, so it needs to be approved by your council. Call them and ask for your local requirements. Your state's paperwork is below.
Questions or need a hand? Call us on 0424 661 542.
A compliant pool fence and adult supervision
Council approval needs a child-resistant barrier that meets AS 1926.1. The key requirements:
- At least 1200mm high, with no more than 100mm under it or between its bars.
- A gate that opens away from the pool, closes and latches on its own, with the latch at least 1500mm off the ground.
- Nothing climbable within 900mm of the outside of the fence, and never prop the gate open.
No fence replaces an adult. Actively supervise children whenever they're in or near the pool.
Certificates and paperwork
Here's the paperwork your council will need for approval, state by state. Questions or need a hand? Call us on 0424 661 542.
Where is your pool going?
Pick your state and your paperwork will appear here.
From us
Western Australia
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all WA paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
From others
You'll also need
Building permit
Apply to your council with the paperwork from us.
Electrical Safety Certificate
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Barrier inspections
Your council inspects the pool fence at least every 4 years.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
From us
New South Wales
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all NSW paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
Certificate of design compliance
The engineer’s NSW design compliance certificate.
From others
You'll also need
Council approval
Pools over 2,000 litres need a CDC or DA. The 2.4m pool is over, the 1.8m is under. Ask your council which applies.
Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW)
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Register your pool
Add it to the NSW Swimming Pool Register.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
From us
Victoria
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all VIC paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
Certificate of compliance, design
Regulation 126 certificate for your building surveyor.
From others
You'll also need
Building permit
Issued by a building surveyor, who will want the paperwork from us.
Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES)
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Register your pool
Register it with your council, then have the barrier inspected every 4 years.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
From us
Queensland
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all QLD paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
Form 15
Design compliance certificate for your building certifier.
From others
You'll also need
Building approval
Issued by a building certifier, who will want the paperwork from us.
Certificate of testing and compliance
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Register your pool
Add it to the QBCC pool safety register.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
From us
South Australia
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all SA paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
From others
You'll also need
Development approval
Lodge it through PlanSA with the paperwork from us.
Certificate of Electrical Compliance
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
From us
Tasmania
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all TAS paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
Form 55
Certificate of qualified person for your building surveyor.
From others
You'll also need
Building permit
Your building surveyor certifies the work and lodges it with council.
Certificate of Electrical Compliance
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
From us
Australian Capital Territory
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all ACT paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
From others
You'll also need
Building approval
Arranged through a building certifier. Some demountable pools are exempt, so check first.
Certificate of Electrical Safety
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Certified pool barrier
Your fence must be certified before the pool holds more than 300mm of water.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
From us
Northern Territory
Signed by our structural engineer. Give these to your council or certifier with your application.
Download all NT paperwork (.zip)Structural certification
The engineer’s sign-off on the pool and its base.
Engineering drawings
The pool, plumbing and every approved base option.
Slab calculations
The engineer’s calculations for a concrete base.
Section 40 certificate of compliance
Structural design certificate for your building certifier.
From others
You'll also need
Interim compliance certificate
Lodge the construction of a pool form with the Pool Fencing Unit before you start.
Certificate of Compliance
Your licensed electrician issues this once the pool is earthed, bonded and wired.
Pool safety compliance certificate
A pool safety adviser inspects your fence. You can’t fill past 300mm until it’s issued.
Want every step for your state, with fees and timings? Read our council approval guide.
Your council has the final say, so check with them before you build. Keep every certificate with your pool records.
Setup
Here's everything you need to know to get your pool in, set up and running.
01
Getting it in
The tank rolls in on its edge, so height matters more than width. Allow about 2.5m of overhead clearance for the 2.4m pool, 1.9m for the 1.8m pool, and an 800mm wide gate.
It weighs about 52kg (1.8m) or 80kg (2.4m), so two people can roll it in, and even lift it over a fence or shed if needed.
02
A good base
A 100mm concrete slab, a compacted gravel and sand pad at least 100mm deep, or pavers on a compacted pad. Firm ground, level to within 5mm. Not on lawn, loose earth or on top of a deck.
You can set it into a deck, as long as the tank sits on its own ground-level base and the deck is built around it, not fixed to or resting on it. The engineering drawings show how. A filled 2.4m pool weighs about 2 tonnes.
03
Room around it
About 1m clear behind the tank for the pump, with a tap and the outdoor power point within reach.
How to install your pool
Here's a step-by-step video showing how to set up your pool, from empty tank to running pump.
Bought the heater?
Your 5kW All-In-One Heat Pump replaces the standard pump and filter, so one unit does the heating, chilling and filtering. Setup is three short steps:
- 1Watch the setup walkthrough above up to 5:40. That gets your pool set up with the fittings you'll need for the heater.
- 2Watch this video to connect the heater to the pool (the video description has extra tips).
- 3Finish with the setup instructions in the heater manual, which is in the box with the unit.
Three things to get right
- 1If a fitting weeps, take it off, wrap a layer of cling wrap around the male thread, and do it back up hand tight.
- 2Sit the heater side-on to the pool, so the fans don't blow cold air across the water.
- 3Always heat with the cover on. It makes the biggest difference to heat-up time, because most of the heat escapes off the surface.
Bought the liner?
How to fit your vinyl liner before you fill the pool. Once it's fitted, roll the outside up by hand so the liner only shows near the top edge.
Bought the premium cover?
How to inflate and fit your hard shell premium cover.
How to take care of your water
Here's everything you need to know to keep your water fresh and clean.
Pump guidelines
How long to run it
Run the pump 4 to 6 hours a day. Use the timer on the pump so it runs by itself. Always switch the pump off before changing settings or opening the filter.
Cleaning the fibre filter balls
Clean them every 4 weeks, or sooner if the flow drops or the water starts to look cloudy.
- 1Pump off, plunge valves locked.
- 2Open the filter and lift the balls out.
- 3Hose them off, or machine wash them in a laundry bag on gentle. No detergent.
- 4Put them back, unlock the valves, pump on.
Keeping it clean
Using the chlorine dispenser
- 1Set the floating dispenser to closed.
- 2Drop in one chlorine tablet.
- 3Add the next only once it's fully dissolved. Never double up.
- 4Run the pump 4 to 6 hours a day, and keep the cover on between swims.
Pool water is for swimming, not drinking.
Stuck on something? Call us.
We'd much rather you call than guess.
General information only. It doesn't replace advice from your council or a licensed electrician. Requirements differ between states, and as the pool owner you're responsible for meeting the rules where you live.