Safety Barriers

• The Australian Standards, in regards to regulations for pool fencing in Australia, are aimed at requiring pool owners to obtain a safety barrier that will make it difficult for young children to gain access to the pool area. When installing the barrier, consideration should be taken with respect to how a young child may attempt to enter the pool area: whether over, under or through the fencing.
  
  

Community Safety Standard

• For pools and spas constructed prior to January 1, 2003, pool owners are required by the Community Safety Standard, to self-declare their pool or spa is enclosed with a proper safety barrier that will effectively prevent children under the age of five from gaining unsupervised access to the pool or spa area. If a shared boundary fence with a neighbor is being utilized as part of the pool or spa barrier, you are required to advise your neighbor in writing that you have a pool or spa next door. Declaration forms and safety guidelines are obtainable through the Water Safety Branch.
  
  

Modified Australian Standard

• For pools and spas constructed after January 1, 2003, pool owners must abide by the Modified Australian Standard, which compels pool and spa owners to obtain a safety barrier preventing young children from gaining unsupervised access to the area. Pool owners must comply with this Standard within a seven-day time period following the completion of their pool or spa and before either structure is filled with water to a level deeper than 300 mm. The Modified Australian Standard also requires written notification to a neighbor regarding the existence of a pool or spa next door, if a shared boundary fence is being utilized as part of the pool or spa barrier.
  
  

Swimming Pool Safety Act

• The Swimming Pool Safety Act of 2004 was enacted to establish safety standards for particular swimming pools and to encourage compliance with the standards. According to this safety act, a swimming pool safety barrier “is a fence, wall or similar structure intended to form a barrier to a swimming pool and includes a gate or door set in the fence, wall or structure.” A fence, wall or structure which consists, or partly consists of a hedge or other vegetation does not constitute an adequate swimming pool barrier.
  
  

Considerations

• Proper pool fencing should be NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) tested and certified. Pool fences should also pass the seven tests for compliance with the Australian Standards. At PoolFencing.com.au there is a summary of the seven tests and passing requirements for each test performed. In addition to the Australian Standards, each individual state may have in place its own regulations for pool fencing in Australia.