FAQs

Do all Pool Safety Inspectors require to be licensed and insured?

Yes, all My Pool Safety Inspectors are licensed by the QBCC and hold professional indemnity insurance.

There are many different prices being quoted for pool safety inspections by different businesses. How do I find the right one?

Prices are influenced many factors (eg. labour costs, overhead costs, economic climate and profit margins). Higher priced competitors are often expensive due to:

- greater profit margin requirements
- long inspection times leading to additional labour costs
- large geographic footprint leading to longer travel distance and additional fuel costs.

My Pool Safety Inspector is different in that we offer streamlined services at competitive prices close to home. This means we are able to cut our travel time and fuel costs, conduct pool safety inspections generally under 45 minutes and offer a price match promise, matching any competitor’s price for the exact same service. The benefit to you is, you save time and money.

Do Pool Safety Inspectors carry out minor repairs?

Some Pool Safety Inspectors can carry out minor repairs and will hold a license with permission to carry out minor repairs as issued by the QBCC.
Some Pool Safety Inspectors cannot carry out minor repairs and will hold a license with a condition “carry out minor repairs are not permitted” as issued by the QBCC.

My Pool Safety Inspector does not carry out minor repairs, however we can provide you will options to consider should you require a handyman or pool fence builder.

What can I do prior to the inspection to assist in making my pool compliant?

Download and print a pre-inspection checklist. Completing the pre-inspection checklist will help identify areas of non-compliance. You will be able to fix any non-compliant items prior to the inspection giving you a higher chance of passing the initial inspection and saving you time and money by avoid reinspection fees.

Can I install a padlock or lock on my pool gate or door?

No, installing locks is not acceptable and does not comply with pool safety legislation. Locks do not permanently restrict access and can be easily left unlocked.

Do doors or windows from my house that open up onto the pool area comply?

No, doors and windows may no longer open onto a pool area. Doors and windows that open directly to the pool are to be at least 1200mm above the floor or must not open wider than 100mm or must have been permanently fitted with security screens. Installing door and window locks is not acceptable as they can easily be left unlocked.

How long does a pool safety certificate last?

Non-Shared Pool – 2 Years

Shared Pool – 1 Year

How long does a pool safety inspection take?

Depending on certain factors, a regular size pool will take approximately 30mins and a large size pool will take approximately 45mins.

What happens after the inspection?

If your pool is compliant with pool safety legislation, you will be issued with a Form 23 Pool Safety Certificate within 2 business days.

If your pool is non-compliant, within 2 business days you will be issued with a Form 26 Pool Safety Non Conformity Notice with a detailed report on why your pool does not conform and what needs to be done to make it compliant.

If my pool is non-compliant, how long do I have to get compliant after the inspection?

You have 3 months from the date the Form 23 Pool Safety Non Conformity Notice is issued to action what was required to make the pool compliant and to get a reinspection performed.

What happens if I do not comply within the 3 month period?

Local Government will be notified if your pool is not reinspected within 3 months after the notice is given. Local Government may take enforcement action and impose penalties for non-compliance.

Can I use a different inspector?

No, it is an offence under pool safety legislation for a pool owner to request, within 3 months after the notice is given, a different pool safety inspector other than the initial inspector to reinspect the pool for the issuing of a pool safety certificate.

Can I sell a property without a Pool Safety Certificate?

Yes, you can issue buyers a Form 36 Notice of No Pool Safety Certificate, however, in this very competitive real estate market, buyers will typically offer a lower purchase price to compensate the risk of a non-compliant pool.

Can I purchase a property without a Pool Safety Certificate?

Yes, you can purchase a property without a Form 23 Pool Safety Certificate, however you will be required to sign a Form 36 Notice of No Pool Safety Certificate, meaning this responsibility will be transferred to you as the new home and pool owner. You will have 3 months from settlement date to arrange for a Pool Safety Certificate. The costs in getting your new pool compliant could be a lot more than you anticipated or budgeted for. To avoid this risk, request the seller to obtain a Pool Safety Certificate prior to the sale contract becoming unconditional.

My neighbour’s tree is growing close to the dividing fence and is making my fence non-compliant. What can I do?

You can approach your neighbour and ask if they are willing to help in making your pool fence compliant. If they choose not to, it is your responsibility to make the required changes on your side of the fence.

Is my neighbour responsible for any of the costs incurred if it involves the dividing fence between our two properties?

This is always a sensitive area especially if you don’t get along with your neighbour, however, it is your responsibility to ensure that your swimming pool barrier is compliant.
You need to take the corrective steps on your side of the boundary should your neighbour not be willing to assist you in getting your pool complaint even if the solution is cheaper and easier on the neighbours side.

Remember, the primary objective is to save lives and every possible precaution should be taken to achieve this. You may not be able to control what happens on the other side of the fence but you can control what happens on your side so do what you need to do to secure your pool.

It’s also worth noting that there is a very strong possibility that your neighbour also has a pool, that it shares the same boundary fence as yours and needs your help in getting a pool certificate. Working together, therefore, may be a better and cheaper solution than working in isolation.

Do I need to have my pool fence reinspected if I change my pool fence even though I have a current Pool Safety Certificate?

Yes. The current certificate was issued against the inspected pool barrier that was in place at that point in time. Should you change your pool barrier, it would need to be reinspected to ensure it was compliant and a new pool safety certificate will be issued.

How do I find out if my pool is registered and how do I register my pool?

You can conduct a property search through the Pool Safety Register found on the QBCC’s website:

https://www.smarteda.qld.gov.au/pools/properties/propertySearch.action;jsessionid=357815C1091B1515A165B35F45C3DD89

If my pool needs repairs, can I repair it myself (DIY)?

Yes. The legislation states that you as the owner can repair or adjust the pool barrier as long as the part repaired is no longer than 2.4m and includes no more than 2 posts (eg. tightening gate hinges) You cannot replace any part of the pool barrier (eg. replace new gate hinges).

Do I need to have a CPR Sign?

Yes, pool safety legislation requires the latest prescribed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign adopted by the Australian Resuscitation Council to be displayed near each pool.