Pool Safety
Barrier
Inspections
Total Pool Services is your local Canberra-based authorised inspector for ACT pool safety barrier compliance — and we also cover New South Wales.
ACT Deadline: 1 May 2028 All ACT pools built before 1 May 2013 must have a compliance status certificate lodged before this date. Don't leave it too late.
Selling or Leasing a Property with a Pool?
You are required right now to provide a Compliance Status Certificate, Disclosure Statement or Exemption Certificate before sale or lease. Don't let your settlement be delayed or your sale fall through — get inspected first.
What We Offer
All the inspection and certification services you need — whether for compliance, selling, or peace of mind. All services carried out by Jason Huntly, ACT Authorised Person.
Compliance Status Certificate
The official certificate confirming your pool safety barrier meets ACT prescribed safety standards. Required for all ACT pools built before 1 May 2013 — lodged with ACT Government within 30 days of issue.
Disclosure Statement
Currently selling or leasing? You must already provide a Disclosure Statement or Compliance Status Certificate. Records the pool's age and known compliance status — required right now, not just after 2028.
Advisory Assessment
Our expert pre-inspection evaluation. We assess your pool barrier in full detail and identify every issue with a clear verbal debrief and written action plan — before any formal inspection. No report provided. The smartest step before committing to upgrades.
Reinspection
If your pool barrier needed remedial work after an initial inspection, we return to verify everything is complete and issue your compliance status certificate. No hidden fees.
NSW Pool Inspections
We carry out swimming pool safety barrier inspections in New South Wales. NSW requires a certificate of compliance when selling or leasing a property with a pool. Valid for 3 years from date of issue.
Free Phone Consultation
Not sure what you need? Call or email Jason for a free, no-obligation chat. We'll tell you exactly what's required for your pool — no jargon, no pressure.
The ACT Pool Safety Reforms Explained
The ACT Government introduced new pool safety reforms commencing 1 May 2024. Here's what it means for you — in plain English.
*Pools built after 1 May 2013 are not required to obtain a certificate by 2028 — but a certificate will be required when selling or leasing after that date. Certificates issued before 2028 are valid until 1 May 2032.
📋 Compliance Status Certificate
- ✓Confirms your barrier is compliant or non-compliant with Australian Standards AS1926.1-2012
- ✓Must be issued by an ACT Authorised Person — that's us
- ✓Certificates issued before 1 May 2028 are valid until 1 May 2032
- ✓Must be lodged with ACT Government within 30 days of issue
🏠 Disclosure Statement
- iRequired right now when selling or leasing — this is not a future obligation
- iInforms buyers/tenants of the ACT rules and how they apply to your pool
- iIncludes the pool's age and known compliance status
- !After 1 May 2028 a full Compliance Status Certificate is required — Disclosure Statement no longer sufficient
🔨 What Changes Might Be Needed?
- iDepends on when your pool was built and your current barrier type
- ✓Pools built after 1 May 2013 should require minimal or no work
- !Older pools may need minor upgrades — self-closing latches, fence height, compliant gates
- iOur Advisory Assessment identifies exactly what's needed before you commit
⚠️ Exemptions
- iDemountable pools not in place for more than three consecutive days
- iSpas built before 1 May 2023 with a lockable child-resistant lid
- iSpas on apartment balconies (built before 1 May 2023) with self-closing door access
- !Ministerial exemptions available in specific circumstances — call Jason to discuss
🔴 Already In Effect from 1 May 2024
Regardless of when your pool was built, all pool owners must now maintain their safety barrier as an effective child-resistant barrier, and keep all gates and doors to the pool area securely closed when not in use. Offences and penalties apply.
Which Document Do You Need?
A clear breakdown of each document, what it means and when you need it.
📋 Compliance Status Certificate
Issued after inspecting your pool barrier. Confirms compliant or non-compliant status. Must be lodged with ACT Government within 30 days. Certificates issued before 1 May 2028 are valid until 1 May 2032. All certificates issued after 2028 are valid for 5 years.
🏠 Disclosure Statement
Required right now if you are selling or leasing with a pool. Records the pool's age and known compliance status. After 1 May 2028, a full Compliance Status Certificate will be required — a Disclosure Statement will no longer be enough.
🔍 Advisory Assessment
Expert pre-inspection evaluation. Full assessment of your pool barrier with a detailed written report on what work is needed. Ideal before committing to barrier upgrades — know the full picture before spending a dollar.
🔄 Reinspection
If your initial inspection found non-compliant barriers, you have up to six months to complete remedial work. We return to confirm the work is done and issue your compliance certificate.
We Do NSW Too
As well as ACT inspections, Total Pool Services carries out pool safety barrier inspections in NSW — perfect for properties near the ACT border.
- ✓NSW Certificate of Compliance — required when selling or leasing a property with a pool in NSW
- ✓$395 · Valid for 3 years from date of issue
- ✓All pool types covered — in-ground, above-ground, portable and spas
- ✓We lodge everything for you with the NSW Swimming Pool Register
🔑 ACT vs NSW — Key Difference
In the ACT, all pools built before 1 May 2013 must obtain a certificate by 1 May 2028. In NSW, a certificate is required when selling or leasing — there's no single universal deadline.
📅 NSW Certificate Validity
NSW certificates are valid for 3 years. An occupation certificate less than 3 years old can be used in place of a compliance certificate when selling or leasing.
🛀 What Pools Are Covered?
All pools capable of being filled to 30cm or more at residential properties — including units and tourist accommodation. For strata schemes, the owners corporation must obtain the certificate.
Don't Leave It Until 2028
Call or email Jason today for a free, no-obligation chat. We'll tell you exactly what you need — no jargon, no pressure.