Backyard Pools and Spas

If you own a pool or spa, you must make sure it's safe and meets the relevant rules.

Some of the key things you need to do include:

• Make sure the right swimming pool safety barriers - like fences and gates - are in place and up to standard
• Register your pool on the NSW Swimming Pool Register
• Do regular safety checks
• Get a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate if you're selling, leasing or buying a property with a pool
• Never prop open a swimming pool gate.

These rules apply to a range of swimming structures, including concrete and fibreglass swimming pools, inflatable swimming pools, temporary or wading pools, and above ground pools and spas. See the bottom of this page for the official definition of a swimming pool.

Call (02) 4227 7111 to have a chat with Council’s pool safety compliance officers if you have any questions or concerns.

Explore the topics below to learn more about being a responsible pool owner.

Official definition of a swimming pool

The Swimming Pools Act 1992 defines a swimming pool as an excavation, structure or vessel:

(a)  that is capable of being filled with water to a depth greater than 300 millimetres, and
(b)  that is solely or principally used, or that is designed, manufactured or adapted to be solely or principally used, for the purpose of swimming, wading, paddling or any other human aquatic activity.

This definition includes a spa pool, but does not include a spa bath, anything that is situated within a bathroom or anything declared by the regulations not to be a swimming pool for the purposes of the Act.

For more information, you can read the full Swimming Pools Act.